Best Open Mics in Montreal

First time in Montreal as a comedian and looking to test out your jokes? Montreal has one of the busiest English stand-up comedy scenes in Canada, with open mics happening almost every night of the week. Whether you’re performing for the first time, working on a tight five, or looking to meet other comedians in the city, there’s probably a room for you.

One thing that makes Montreal comedy unique is the variety of open mic formats. Some rooms are traditional sign-up-go-up mics, while others are curated pro/am showcases, writing labs, late-night experimental rooms, or open mics attached to professional shows. Some are supportive and beginner-friendly, while others are more chaotic and high-energy. Every room has its own vibe, which is why trying different mics is one of the best ways to improve.

One important thing to know: schedules, sign-up procedures, and venues can change quickly in comedy. Always double-check the show’s Instagram or website before heading out.

Tuesdays & Wednesdays:
The Comedy Nest

The Comedy Nest is one of the best-known comedy clubs in Canada and a major part of the Montreal comedy scene. They host two open mic opportunities every week.

Newbie Tuesdays gives newer comedians and professionals the opportunity to perform five-minute sets in front of a real club audience. It’s a great room for comics who want to gain experience in a professional comedy club setting.

The second mic is Comedy Lab Wednesdays, where comedians are encouraged to write new jokes each week using a writing prompt provided by the club. A lot of local comedians use this room to sharpen material and experiment with new ideas.

To inquire for a spot, comedians are usually encouraged to email the club on Thursday mornings for the following week.

Tuesdays:
Grumpy’s Open Mic

Grumpy’s “Drop The Gloves” Open Mic organized by Comedy Cave MTL at Grumpy’s Bar is one of the longest-running and most legendary open mic rooms in Montreal. Hosted at Grumpy’s Bar on Bishop Street, the room has a relaxed and social atmosphere where comedians often stay after the mic to hang out.

The mic combines booked performers with a show-up-go-up format later in the evening. If you’re looking to meet other comedians and become part of the local scene, Grumpy’s is one of the rooms many comics eventually pass through.

Wednesdays:
Lion’s Den Open Mic

Organized by MTLOL.ca and located at Burgundy Lion, The Lion’s Den Open Mic is one of the better options if you want good food, drinks, and comedy in the same night.

The open mic follows the main Wednesday comedy show and gives comedians short sets to test out new material. The room usually attracts a mix of newer comics, local regulars, and comedians working through ideas before taking them to larger shows.

Thursdays:
Peel Pub Comedy

Peel Pub Comedy has become another useful downtown room for comedians looking for stage time during the week that’s every Thursday at 8pm at Peel Pub.

The mic operates as a sign-up-go-up room where comedians can test material in front of a casual audience. Open mics like Peel Pub are important because they give newer comedians opportunities to practice consistently and develop stage confidence.

Mondays:
The Dirty Mic

Hosted by the producers behind The World’s Smallest Comedy Show, The Dirty Mic is exactly what it sounds like: late-night, chaotic, experimental, and unpredictable.

Located at Hurley’s on Crescent St, this room has developed a reputation as a place where comedians push boundaries and try edgier material. Some nights are brilliant, some nights are unhinged, and some nights are both.

If you’re looking for a polished comedy club environment, this probably isn’t the room for you. But if you enjoy the raw side of stand-up comedy culture, The Dirty Mic is one of Montreal’s more memorable late-night rooms.

Sundays:
Ye Olde Orchard Open Mic

Hosted by Tom Murphy, this Sunday open mic at Ye Olde Orchard Pub & Grill on Monkland gives comedians another opportunity to get stage time at the end of the week.

Like many classic pub open mics, the room has a casual energy where comics can experiment, work through ideas, and connect with other performers. Open mics like this are often where comedians slowly build consistency and comfort on stage.

Last Tuesday of the month:
Comedy on Mackay

If you’re looking for a high-energy open mic, we hold an open mic on the last Tuesday of the month.

Hosted at N Sur Mackay after the main Comedy on Mackay show, comedians put their names into a bucket and the order is randomly drawn throughout the night. The room mixes newer comedians with experienced performers trying out fresh material.

One thing that makes the room unique is that standout performers may occasionally receive opportunities to perform on future pro/am lineups.

Why Open Mics Matter

Open mics are one of the most important parts of any comedy scene. This is where comedians test jokes, fail publicly, improve timing, meet collaborators, and slowly build their stage presence.

A lot of people only see the finished product on professional comedy shows, but most stand-up comedians spend years developing material at open mics before moving onto larger stages.

Montreal’s English comedy scene continues to grow because of rooms like these. Whether you’re completely new to stand-up or already deep into comedy, open mics are where a lot of the work happens.

And who knows? You might accidentally witness someone performing the first version of the joke that eventually changes their career.