Wilmington's Open Mic Scene
Wilmington, NC has one of the most active comedy open mic scenes in the Southeast. With 4 free open mics every week across different venues, there's a stage waiting for you almost any night Monday through Thursday.
Whether you're a first-timer with a crumpled page of jokes or a regular working on a tight five, the Wilmington comedy community is welcoming, supportive, and genuinely fun to be part of. Every open mic listed below is completely free — free to perform, free to watch.
Complete Weekly Open Mic Schedule
Monday — Barzarre Open Mic
| Time | 6:30 PM sign-up / 7:00 PM show |
| Venue | Barzarre (formerly Juggling Gypsy), 1610 Castle Street |
| Cost | FREE |
| Format | Nearly Anything Goes — comedy, music, poetry, spoken word |
| Set Length | 3-5 minutes |
| Sign-up | First come, first served. Put your name on the list when you arrive. |
Wilmington's longest-running open mic. Barzarre is an eclectic, bohemian bar on Castle Street with quirky art on the walls and a laid-back vibe. The "Nearly Anything Goes" format means you'll hear comedy alongside musicians and poets, which keeps the energy unpredictable and fun. This is the most beginner-friendly mic in town — the crowd is supportive and the pressure is low.
Tuesday — Comedy Open Mic at Port City Cheesesteak
| Time | 8:00 PM |
| Venue | Port City Cheesesteak Co., 21 N. Front Street (Downtown) |
| Cost | FREE |
| Format | Stand-up comedy |
| Set Length | 3-5 minutes |
| Sign-up | Sign up at the door when you arrive. |
A casual, neighborhood-y open mic right on Front Street downtown. The cheesesteaks are great, the crowd is friendly, and it's another excellent spot for people just getting started. The downtown location makes it easy to grab dinner and then hit the mic.
Wednesday — Open Mic Night at Laws & Libations
| Time | 7:00 PM |
| Venue | Laws & Libations, 108 Grace Street (Downtown) |
| Cost | FREE |
| Format | Stand-up comedy |
| Set Length | 3-5 minutes |
| Sign-up | Sign up when you arrive. |
A cozy downtown bar that hosts a mid-week comedy open mic. Laws & Libations also hosts the Women of Wilmington showcase on Thursdays, so the bar has a strong comedy culture. Good cocktails, intimate setting, and a regular crowd of comics who will make you feel welcome.
Thursday — Dead Crow Comedy Room Open Mic
| Time | 8:30 PM show (Sign-up at 7:00 PM) |
| Venue | Dead Crow Comedy Room, 511 N. 3rd Street |
| Cost | FREE |
| Format | Stand-up comedy on a real club stage |
| Set Length | 5 minutes |
| Sign-up | First come, first served. Sign-up sheet at 7 PM. Arrive early — spots fill fast. |
This is the big one. Dead Crow is Wilmington's only full-time comedy club, and their Thursday open mic lets you perform on the same stage where national headliners play every weekend. The sign-up sheet goes out at 7 PM and fills quickly, so arrive early if you want a spot. You get a full 5 minutes under real stage lighting with a proper sound system. If you're serious about comedy, this is where you test your material.
Tips for Your First Open Mic
Before You Go
- Write 3-5 minutes of material. That's roughly 3-6 jokes. You don't need a full hour — just enough to fill your set time.
- Practice out loud. Jokes that read well on paper don't always land out loud. Say them to yourself, time them, and get comfortable with the words.
- Go watch first if you're nervous. Every mic is free to attend as audience. Go one week to see how it works, then sign up the next week.
At the Mic
- Arrive early for sign-up. Especially at Dead Crow where the list fills up. At other venues, 15-30 minutes early is plenty.
- Bring your notes. Nobody will judge you for reading from your phone or a notebook. Even experienced comics do this at open mics.
- Speak into the microphone. Hold it close to your mouth. This is the #1 mistake new comics make — the mic needs to be 1-2 inches from your face.
- Respect the light. When you see a light flash or the host signals, wrap up your joke and say goodnight. Going over time is the biggest faux pas in comedy.
After Your Set
- Stay and watch others. The comedy community notices who sticks around. It's good etiquette and you'll learn from watching.
- Write down what worked. Which jokes got laughs? Which ones didn't? Open mics are for testing — take notes.
- Come back next week. Comedy takes reps. The comics who get good are the ones who keep showing up.
Open Mic Etiquette in Wilmington
The Wilmington comedy scene is tight-knit and welcoming, but there are a few unwritten rules:
- Don't bring a group of friends and leave after your set. Support the whole show.
- Keep your set clean-ish at bar mics — know your audience. Dead Crow is a comedy club, so there's more leeway.
- Don't heckle other performers. Everyone is up there being vulnerable. Be cool.
- Buy something. These venues host free open mics as a service to the community. Support them by buying a drink or some food.
- Be patient. If the list is long, your spot might come late in the evening. That's normal.
Beyond Open Mics: Level Up in Wilmington
Once you've got a few open mics under your belt, Wilmington has plenty of ways to grow:
- Stand-Up Classes — Nancy Witter's "Look Who's Standing Up!" course at Dead Crow takes you from beginner to performing a graduation showcase.
- Improv Classes — DareDevil Improv offers a full 101-404 curriculum that sharpens your stage presence and quick thinking.
- Showcases — As you get better, local producers may invite you to perform at showcases like Gruff Goat Comedy at Waterline Brewing or Women of Wilmington at Laws & Libations.
- Cape Fear Comedy Festival — The annual May festival is the highlight of Wilmington's comedy calendar and includes the Port City's Top Comic competition.