The Open Mic Under St. Marks is an authentic New York City art scene that happens Tuesday nights in a gritty (in the best sense of the word) basement theater, with a killer sound system and lighting design. It is the most unique, eclectic, raw, entertaining, balls-to-the-wall open mic I’ve ever played (which says a lot), hosted by an incredible group of passionate, talented, dedicated artists through Frigid New York Theater Group. A safe and supportive space where I was so inspired and comfortable, my usual stage fright was non-existent by the time I got up to perform at 2:30am. Anything goes at this place. After “witnessing” thirty-four, bold yet vulnerable, (7-minute) acts before me (musicians, comedians, poets, storytellers, performance artists), I felt refreshingly free and fearless on stage. It was such a cool artistic experience. I recommend it to anyone looking for an open mic in NYC. Be forewarned, sign-ups are drawn from a hat. Even if you show up early, before 9PM like I did, time-slots are luck of the draw, so it may be a long night. Settle in for some one-of-a-kind entertainment. As the masters of ceremony claimed they would, the performances got more hardcore as the night evolved, and the beer flowed. The diehards are all that are left in the end. This open mic is the real deal. When I woke up the morning after, I was still buzzing and grateful I made the decision to hang tough and perform. The feeling stayed with me throughout the day. Thanks for having me! xx Pineapple

Quaint little theater. Very easy to walk past and miss the entrance.Very limited seating which makes the experience all the more personally.Would recommend.

Intimate, simple, comfortable and close to performers. Great little black box theater, very easy to walk past or miss.

Great vegetarian options. Easily can substitute meat our for tofu.

Small downstairs theater. Lighting and power cords make this place look like a death trap, but light the stage nicely. Good neighborhood for food and sights before and after show.

Great place great shows Sistermonk great music♡♡♡

Ten foot rat cabaret is great and this theatre is cozy but surprisingly comfortable

Small, intimate and comfortable place to see a comedy show. Its not handicap accessible, but that can happen in an old building.

Saw an improv show here! Small venue with a small bar, had a great vibe and a great time!

The Bucket is a total scam, they insert their own people into the list. Waited 4 hours and still didnt get on stage. If you dont know people there, you will not get a spot on stage Some of the acts were good, most were just promoting themselves.

Lovely little space in the city that promoted the indie and alternative theater scenes. If you didnt know it was here you would probably just walk right past it, which is honestly part of its charm. It feels like the kind of NYC you used to hear about from the 80s that was more art and indie boutiques than commercial spaces like The Gap. A valuable little part of the artistic community.

This is a very intimate underground (literally!) spot. I was there for a comedy show. I felt like I was in on a city secret. Indie NY!

Ive attended shows at USM and Ive produced shows there. Both experiences were awesome!! The theater has a cool grungy New York vibe and the bar has a great selection - not your typical Naragansett-or-nothing. The shows Ive seen are usually pretty indie. When I produced, the theater was really helpful and supportive, and I was able to pay my rental fees with waitressing money. For me, this is one of the last real indie theaters

Very tiny space, intimate, great actors with minimal probably, very enjoyable.

Awesome wee theatre!

Super divey and small. Didnt expect the rough feel.

Your experience is going to vary depending on what you see here so Ill just rate the actual place. Funky little basement theatre in the LES which seats about 30 in what felt like recycled movie theatre seats. Small bar and tiny bathroom included. Easily the weirdest experience Ive had since I moved here two years ago but Im glad I went. Heat was not on that I could tell, I left my scarf and jacket on the entire time I was there...

Small intimate theatre. A little hard to find but great staff and they put on great shows.

Great venue if you want some good laughs at the right price. Hey guess what? No drink minimum either. Just pop by and see people try out their material for some good laughs.

A good experience seeing Maggie Nuttalls very funny solo show. It was part of the Frigid Fest, and I believe they provided the friendly and welcoming staff running things this eve, though I may be wrong.Comfy, intimate black box theatre. The inconveniently located bathroom is my only complaint, though I realize thats not their fault, merely a by-product of the space, which kinda goes with the territory of off-off Bway theatre spaces in NYC. I could get to it when I needed to. Lovely evening of performance.

I went to this theatre to see an independent play. If youre into writing and creating plays. deff a affordable venue.

Intimate venue, raw performances, classic NYC

We went for the monthly Cabaret and it was very entertaining! It was odd, unforgettable, unique and left us asking ourselves what just happened, and I cant wait to do it all over again.

Shabby underground venue that hosts an amazing array of theater, from solo shows to festivals to runs of new American indie theater. Its one of Downtowns most loved spaces.

Its a very small space maybe about 3 rows but I had a good time because a friend of mine was performing.

Expensive to rent, but there’s magic in the walls

Great off-off-Broadway independent theatre featuring an intimate setting, wonderfully diverse performances and a supportive owner and staff.Also a home to the annual Frigid Festival!

Small and quaint. Great space for simple performances!

Love and always have fun here but could hace better heat in the winter.

Cool theatre with comfortable seats and a little bar. Great for seeing comedy.

Many of my friends perform shows there. Great cider selection.

Dingy, Dark and a little seedy. But you wont find many places better for watching cheap and entertaining shows

I saw Shirley Gnome here. She was fantastic. The venue itself was small but great sound and an intimate atmosphere.

Very entertaining theater

Great little underground theatre, staff were really nice and it was a lovely sppt to see a really unique play.

Loved this open mic spot. They have a limited drink selection, but they serve sake, which was cool.

A classic NY style basement theater. Dirty and rough around the edges just like you like it. The important thing is seeing the right people perform and youll have a blast.

A historically rich black box theater diverse in its presentations

Best open mic experience ever.

Nice little venue, wish they had more options for drinks though.

Fantastic underground theater. Great for comedy and going on a date.

Great fun at the Smut Slam

Great space for intimate theater.

The open mic downstairs tuesday night nine pm beeee thereee

It was a nice experience

Only if you have a friend performing there.

The best open mic in the city.

Great performances and awesome crowd energy

Its there

Small cozy thearer

Just terrible

Real nyc space.

Great beer show!

Small personal venue.

Awesome performances

A tiny little black box theatre below ground with a bar serving pre and post performance booze from a closet.

Very cool space.

Small, shabby, cramped, vital, and adventurous.

One of downtowns secret little theater spaces.

Nice place

Great little theater

Incredibly easy to rent

This place has heart, son.

Great little theater

Funky little theater, easy to miss.