A Guide To Open Mics
By Faith Rackoff
On any night of the week a musician in Long Island has an opportunity to play before a crowd. Open mic nights have become an important vehicle to jumpstarting a musician’s career in Long Island. Whether it is for gaining experience, building a fan base, networking, or simply making friends, open mic nights are filled with like-minded individuals who are there to support each other.
Often, the hosts are established musicians who can encourage the novice and give a few suggestions to those who seek advice. Jim Moran (The Jim Moran Band), Karl “Big Daddy” Reamer (Big Daddy & The Bulldogs), and Mike “The Godfather” Clemente are only a few of the experienced artists who serve as the hosts. Frank Walker of Spoonwalk hosts several open mics a week and plays along with the inexperienced musicians as a form of support. The open mics offer great support.
“Where else can you perform a song you wrote three days ago and get immediate feedback?” Robin Eve admits. “You come in with a starting point. This is what I have so far … From there the song builds. Others put in their ideas.” For the songwriter, open mics offer a forum to be heard. For those who have an opportunity to be part of the building of a song, it allows them to be part of a special process.
Many popular bands that play around the Island were birthed out of the open mic night. Big Daddy & The Bulldogs and Movement both started as a group of guys who jammed together. The folk-style band Miles To Dayton met at an open mic, as did Robin Eve and Frank Walker.
Musicians can utilize the open mic circuit as a way of auditioning for the venue owners. Owners will often book paying gigs to musicians that catch their attention. Lee Pierce, the owner of the Coffee Beanery in Kings Park, said “we have a tip cup by the artists during the performance of an open mic. Sometimes, if the performance is that good, we will pay them [additionally].”
Dave Dircks, who hosts Acoustic Long Island, an acoustic performance held Wednesdays at the Deepwells Mansion in St. James, gives the open mic performers a fantastic opportunity. First, the sessions are created into Podcasts that are available for free online. Some performers are chosen to appear in the future as a featured artist. On June 29, Acoustic Long Island will present their second annual "Acoustic Long Island Summer Concert" on the grounds of the Deepwell Mansion featuring musicians who participated in the Acoustic Long Island open mic throughout the year.
Additionally, musicians are able to gain fan bases through the open mic scene. Musicians support one another, and seem to go out of their way to see one another perform. Building a fan base is incredibly important when trying to book gigs. Often, repeat bookings at a venue are only possible if the band or musician brings an adequate number of people to a show.
Even for non-musicians, open mic nights can offer surprises, as national artists have been known to stop in. In fact, famed Irish singer Andy Cooney performed at an open mic hosted by Frank Walker recently. Promoters, journalists, and record company executives have been known to slip in on a night to listen to the artists. For musicians, it always helps to bring an extra copy of their latest recordings, or at least their business cards – for a musician, it's always good to be prepared for any circumstance.
SUNDAY
Brickhouse Brewery
67 West Main Street, Patchogue
(631) 447-BEER
Open mic with Josey Wales at 8 pm.
Chesterfield's
330 New York Avenue, Huntington
(631) 425-1457
Open blues jam.
Dirty Martini
293 Portion Road, Ronkonkoma
(631) 471-0636
Open jam with Jim Moran at 9 pm.
Piccolo
215 Wall Street, Huntington
(631) 424-5592
Bobby Sexton/Don Sands blues jam at 8 pm
Velvet Lounge
Rte 25A & Nicholls Road, Setauket
(631) 751-7575
Open mic at 8 pm, with a free buffet at 10 pm.
MONDAY
Bartini Bar
124 North Carll Avenue, Babylon
(631) 422-3286
Open mic with Dave Drew at 8 pm.
Gerry Finlays
40 Bay Shore Road, Bay Shore
(631) 254-6992
Their weekly open mic.
The Grind
2975B Merrick Road, Bellmore
(516) 409-6633
Open mic begins at 7:30 pm.
The Nutty Irishman
323 Main Street, Farmingdale
(516) 293-9700
Open mic from 8 pm till midnight.
TUESDAY
Brickhouse Brewery
67 West Main Street, Patchogue
(631) 447-BEER
Open mic with David James begins at 9 pm.
Brokerage Comedy Club
2797 Merrick Road, Bellmore
(516) 781-LAFF
Open mic with Ed Ryan.
D.J. Riders Rhythm &Brews
3297 Long Beach Road, Oceanside
(516) 766-9822
Open jam with The Jim Moran Band.
Diya Lounge (Rockaway Café)
43 Rockaway Avenue, Valley Stream
(516) 872-2223
Paul Lanzetta and Diane Indiviglia host their open mic at 9 pm.
O’Reilly’s Restaurant & Pub
927 Montauk Highway, Oakdale
(631) 472-4200
Open mic with Mike ”The Godfather” Clemente at 9 pm.
Ultrasound Lounge
2757 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown
(516) 796-6376
Hip hop open mic with Joey Batts and Lump. $5 to enter, $10 to perform.
WEDNESDAY
Cool Beanz Coffee House
556 North Country Road, St. James
(631) 862-4111
Open mic at 8 pm.
The Cup
3268 Railroad Avenue, Wantagh
(516) 826-9533
Open mic at 8 pm.
Deepwells Mansion
Rt. 25A, St. James
Acousticlongisland.com
Acoustic Long Island open mic with Dave Dirks – recorded for a Podcast
that's popular on iTunes – at 8 pm.
Dominie’s Hoek
48-17 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City
(718) 706-6531
Open mic with Jimmy Artache at 9 pm.
Fadeley’s Deli Pub
422 Main Street, Patchogue
(631) 758-8882
Open mic with Charlie Mirro at 9:30 pm.
Finley’s Of Green Street
43 Green Street, Huntington
(631) 951-3440
Open mic with T.C.; sign-up at 8:30 pm, playing starts at 9 pm.
The Inn
943 West Beech Street, Long Beach
(516) 432-9220
Open mic at 9 pm.
Irish Cottage
1010 Park Boulevard, Massapequa Park
(516) 798-2196
Open mic with Frank Walker.
Jesse’s Lip Smackin’ Roadhouse
1810 Merrick Road, Merrick
(516) 379-7140
Joe Vicino & The Smoke Daddys jam at 9 pm.
Katie's Of Smithtown
145 West Main Street, Smithtown
(631) 360-8556
George Cintron acoustic workshop at 8 pm.
Lefty’s Candlelight Bar And Grill
543 W. Hoffman Avenue, Lindenhurst
(631) 225-5226
Open mic with Blue Matter at 9 pm.
Reflections
324 Sunrise Highway, Rockville Centre
(516) 763-9664
Open jam with Dave Patrick Band at 9 pm.
Saxbys Coffee
2251 Merrick Road, Merrick
(516) 385-6316
"Live Tuneage" open mic hosted by Steve Dale at 8 pm. One beverage
minimum.
Waltz-Astoria
23-14 Ditmars Boulevard, Astoria
(718) 95-MUSIC
Open mic with Bill E. at 8 pm.
THURSDAY
Bobbique
70 W. Main Street, Patchogue
(631) 447-7744
Long Island Blues Society and Bobbique acoustic jam with Joe Vig at 7 pm.
The End Zone
149-44 14th Avenue, Whitestone
(718) 746-9654
Jam hosted by Lisa Miller.
E.T. Quiggs
2807 Merrick Road, Bellmore
(516) 679-5501
Open jam with John Judd, Ralph Santiago, and Nick Pinto.
Jesse’s Lip Smackin’ Roadhouse
1810 Merrick Road, Merrick
(516) 379-7140
Open mic with Frank Walker
Pub 454
3328 Veterans Highway, Bohemia
(631) 738-7802
Open jam with Josey Wales and Group Therapy. Solo performers and bands welcome.
FRIDAY
The Coffee Beanery
12 Indian Head Road, Kings Park
(631) 663-3800
Open mic begins at 8 pm.
Eastenders Coffee House
40 East Main Street, Riverhead
(631) 727-2656
Open mic at 8:30 pm; musicians and poets welcome. $5 cover.
SATURDAY
Cool Beanz Coffee House
556 North Country Road, St. James
(631) 862-4111
Open mic with Bob Krummenacker at 8 pm.
Tailgators Sports Bar
232 E. Main Street, Patchogue
(631) 627-3007
"Sizzlin' Saturday Night Open Mic & Jam" with Karl “Big
Daddy” Reamer. Sign up 8:30 pm, soloists at 8:45 pm, bands at 10 pm,
jam at 12:30 am.
