Comedians try out new material at Al's Den; free, 21 and over.
Al's Den is hosting another Open Mic Comedy Night this Thursday, October 15, with Chris Hudson hosting. The night is billed as The New Stuff Comedy Showcase, and that title tells you exactly what to expect: comedians coming in to try out new material. It's the kind of room where you'll hear bits in their early stages—jokes being worked through and refined in front of a live crowd rather than a polished set.
Al's Den is one of Portland's original speakeasy-style hideouts, a below-street room where live music and comedy feel a little secret even when the place is packed. It sits under the Crystal Hotel in the city's West End Entertainment District, a downtown triangle of live music, comedy, trivia, history, and cocktails. The open mic format is designed to showcase a section of Portland's growing comedic names every weekend, with local comics running the show. It's a good way to see who's working on what across the city's scene.
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Because it's an open mic, the lineup is built around local comics rather than a single headliner, and the focus is on the new material they're bringing to the stage. You're seeing the process as much as the performance. Entry is free, and the room is restricted to ages 21 and over, so keep that in mind if you're bringing a group. The show starts at 7:30 PM at Al's Den, located at the Crystal Hotel, 303 SW 12th Avenue in downtown Portland.
