A growing scene
Open mics, comedy showcases and a supportive group of local comics are growing a real community for stand-up comedy in Milwaukee.
A stage, a microphone, and an audience—stand-up comedy’s basic ingredients are simple. On pretty much any night in Milwaukee, seeing some of the funniest comedians the city has to offer or finding a spot to test your comedy mettle is simple too.
Bars and restaurants that feature open mics and comedy showcases are growing, and redefining Milwaukee’s comedy scene. The venues are easy on your wallet, with inexpensive admission fees and no two-drink-minimums. Thanks to help from MKE Funny, The Caste of Killers Comedy Collective, and several local comedians, TCD is here with the complete insider’s guide to stand-up comedy in Milwaukee.
Stand-up in Milwaukee isn’t limited to acts that come through town on tour. There are many local comedians that are making names for themselves through a variety of open mic nights as well as more established comedy shows. Groups like Milwaukee Comedy and MKE Funny promote the city’s comedic talent, and offer chances to perform, like at the state’s largest comedy event, the Milwaukee Comedy Festival, which celebrated its seventh year last August at Next Act Theatre. Matt Kemple, founder of Milwaukee Comedy, has lived through the city’s stand-up comedy evolution.
“Just a few short years ago, there really wasn’t a stand up scene in town other than touring comedians,” he said. “A few clubs, no open mics. More recently, there has been a real community building up. Local talent is helping to create more local talent.”
The community that surrounds comedy in Milwaukee is very supportive.
“The talented folks that are making comedy encourage others to make comedy, too,” said Kemple. “It’s all had a very positive effect, growing the comedy scene locally and creating a real level of quality and talent.”
That encouraging attitude inspired the monthly “Comedy Conclave,” organized by comedian Erik Koconis, where big names like James Ervin Berry are eager to share their knowledge with free comedy seminars.
Also open to anyone with the guts to go onstage are the city’s many open mics. Nights hosted by local comics at places like Karma Bar & Grill, where Caste of Killers’ Open Mic Under the Stairs takes place each month, and Art Bar in Riverwest are growing in popularity within the comedy scene, and also offer a chance for people to try out their own material for the first time.
“I think about how many people have thought to themselves, ‘I should try stand-up,’ and you can do it in Milwaukee,” said comedian and Caste of Killers member Lara Beitz, host of the Art Bar open mic. “You can do it almost five nights a week here.”
First time performers get hooked on stand-up, said Beitz.
“I want to encourage people who have thought of trying stand-up to come out to an open mic,” she said. “You’ll see people who are also just starting out and you’ll see more established comics that will inspire you.”
Unlike cities like New York and Chicago, there aren’t 40-plus comics vying for a meager three minutes on stage at Milwaukee’s open mics, making it easier to get stage time.
“You can get five to seven minutes in a night here and you really have to work for that in other places,” said Beitz. “And once you prove yourself at an open mic, you can do even more time. The first time I did 30 minutes of material I’d been performing for less than a year.”
If you’ve never done stand-up before, but you’ve been itching to try it, you have to understand the nature of open mics–you’re not always going to get a laugh.
“The Art Bar open mic is my baby, and it’s a tough room,” said Beitz. “But it’s good to have those boot camp rooms where you don’t just automatically get a laugh.”
Beyond the open mics, there are a variety of other more established locations to see up-and-coming talent in the area, like the monthly stand-up showcases at Sugar Maple and The Cactus Club run by comedian Ryan Holman, both of which came about organically.
“The Sugar Maple was having a keg release party and the organizer asked if I would put on a comedy show in their back room,” said Holman. “It sounded like fun and a way to reach a newer audience and to give time to the comics I thought were funny. It was supposed to be a one time thing. I thought maybe 20-30 people might show up, but the first show had 60+ people. We actually had to bring more chairs into the room.”
Starting The Cactus Club showcase was a similar experience for Holman.
“Cactus Club sort of fell into my lap as well,” he said. “I was opening for Trapper Schoepp & the Shades and that night enough word got back to the owner that I was funny, so he called me the next day and asked if I’d like to run a monthly show.”
The shows at Cactus Club have a standing-room-only rock ‘n’ roll vibe, modeled after the setup on Saturday Night Live. Holman recruits one local band to be the featured band for the duration of the show, with a live song performed in between every few comics.
“I wanted to feature bands and give them just as much credit and promotion as the comedy,” he said. “It’s the perfect way to alleviate the standing-room-only problem and play up the fact that The Cactus Club is one of the best rock clubs in this town. I think it has been a match made in heaven.”
You can find more of these regular stand-up showcases at the following locations. Some of the shows are coming up soon, so mark your calendars!
Comedy and Music Show at the Sugar Maple
The cozy back room at the Sugar Maple is Bay View’s home base for comedy on the first Thursday of every month. The next show is on Thursday, Dec. 6. Doors open at 9 p.m. and the show begins at 9:30 p.m. The cover charge is only $5.
A Cactus Club Comedy and Music Show
The shows are once a month on varying nights beginning at 9:30 p.m. with a cover charge of $7. Holman is currently planning the next show, so stay tuned.
The Milwaukee Stand-Up Comedy Showcase
The Caste of Killers’ website describes the twice monthly showcase as being “what underground comedy is all about; hard-working, unique comedians that are often overlooked by comedy clubs. Edgy, smart and original comedy by local, regional and nationally touring comedians.” Karma’s downstairs Sutra Lounge is practically transformed into a professional comedy club, except with comfy couches and great food. The next show is on Friday, December 7th at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 online or $10 at the door.
The Caffeinated Comedy Hour
Sherman Park’s Sherman Perk Coffee House is the Caste of Killers’ more family friendly stand-up show. Occasionally kids are in attendance at this cute coffee house, so the comedians tone down the curse words, but the jokes are still great. This show is held on the last Friday of each month and is only $3. The next show is on Nov. 30 and audience members are welcome to BYOB.
Midwest Comedy Night at Onyx Night Club
Comedian T Dot Kingsby produces this North Side show on the first Thursday of every month, bringing the laughter to Onyx Night Club. The next show is Thursday, Dec. 6 at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 online or $15 at the door.
BBC Comedy Showcase
On Friday, Nov. 30, the upstairs room at G-Daddy’s BBC Bar and Grill on North Avenue will be home to an evening of stand-up comedy produced by Eleven Eleven Presents The show starts at 9 p.m. and the $5 entry fee gets you a free pint of Turbodog beer.
Comedy Show at Circle A
On Sunday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m., a big comedy show comes to the tiny Riverwest bar Circle A. For only $5, the audience will be practically face-to-face with upcoming comics in the Milwaukee scene. This is the third or fourth Circle A comedy show.
Milwaukee’s Comedy Cafe
This comedy club on Brady Street features talent from across the country as well as local comedians. Many of the regular performers are Milwaukeeans who got their start at neighborhood open mics. Performances are every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night with varying admission prices.
Interested in trying out stand-up yourself? Looking for the city’s best new talent? Check out the following stand-up comedy open mics in Milwaukee:
- The Killer Open Mic: Art Bar in Riverwest bar offers an artsy background for stand-up. Lara Beitz hosts this open mic on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. Sign-up is at 8:30 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m.
- The Open Mic Under The Stairs: Comedy takes over Karma‘s downstairs Sutra Lounge every Wednesday (except the last Wednesday of the month). This is a sexy spot with low couches and flattering lighting. Sign up is at 7:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m.
- Dangerously Strong Open Mic: Every Sunday night at 7 p.m., brought to you by Kick Me Comedy and hosted by Andy Bolton. This is a friendly, intimate, low-key open mic at Rounding Third Bar and Grill on 64th and Bluemound. It’s a great way to start your week off with a laugh.
- Miramar Theatre Open Mic: A Tuesday tradition for musicians, poets, and comics alike. For $2 you’re given 10 minutes at the mic and a CD recording of your performance. Sign up is at 7:30 p.m. and the show concludes by 10:30 p.m.
- The Punchline Open Mic at the Irish Rec Room: Held on Tuesdays in a swanky spot on Old World Third Street, the sign-up is at 8:30 p.m. and the show begins at 9 p.m. There are drink specials and popcorn, too!
- Roman Coin Open Mic: A brand new open mic starting Tuesday, Dec. 4 and running every Tuesday thereafter. Musicians, poets, and comics are all welcome. Sign up is at 8 p.m. and the show begins at 8:30 p.m.
- Milwaukee’s Comedy Cafe Showcase Night
- Held on the last Wednesday of every month, this open mic competition gives eight aspiring comedians five minutes to woo the crowd. Winners receive $25 and a five minute guest spot in a regular Thursday show. Competitors must bring five guests with them in order to perform. If you’re interested, contact damon@cokcomedy.com to secure a space in the contest.
This is a great article! I’m not from the area but love hearing about such a supportive community for a great art. Look forward to checking out a few of these shows next time I swing through.
great article! keep that comedy scene growing!