The Creek and The Cave Open Mic: FREE Comedy & Happy Hour

The Creek and the Cave runs its comedy open mic every Sunday at 6 PM, and this Sunday, September 6, is no exception. The venue bills itself as "your favorite comics' favorite Austin comedy club," and that's a fair way to describe the room: it's a stand-up spot that keeps the mic open for the local scene to work through new material. If you've spent any time around the city's comedy, you know that's where the real work happens—the rough drafts and the first tries that eventually make it to a proper stage.

Because it's an open mic, the lineup changes every week. You'll see a mix of regulars and newcomers, and since it's a room for working through bits, the night is as much about the process as the punchlines. If you're a comic yourself, there's a specific way to get on the bill: you have to email the venue Monday through Friday the week before. The list goes out on Saturday, and if you didn't make the cut, you can still sign up for a bucket spot on the night of the show. It's a straightforward system that keeps the door open for anyone who wants to get some time.

On the audience side, the night is for ages 21 and over, and happy hour runs all day Sunday, so you can settle in with a drink before the first comic takes the stage. Entry is free with an online RSVP, otherwise it's $5 at the door. The open mic kicks off at 6 PM at The Creek and the Cave in Austin.