DIY comedy
Open mics for the truly brave at heart.

By Daniel Engber

MAYBE IT'S A relief to know that two of the major progressive politicians in San Francisco have experience with stand-up comedy. Or maybe it's not. Tom Ammiano, a performing comic for more than 20 years, has been dubbed "the Mother of Gay Comedy," while his fellow supervisor Matt Gonzalez sits on the board of directors of the Mission District-based Hyena Comedy Institute. Is there a future for amateur stand-up in this city outside of elected office? Are you part of that future? Here's a list of dedicated comedy venues in San Francisco with open mic nights for all you starry-eyed novices hoping to break in. Admission is free unless otherwise indicated.

BrainWash Café and Laundromat holds a well-attended open mic comedy night every Thursday. Food, beer, laundry, and board games are also available. Thurs., 8 p.m. (sign-up 6:30 p.m.), 1122 Folsom, S.F. (415) 861-3663.

Hyena Comedy Institute, a nonprofit comedy school, offers a variety of workshops including stand-up comedy, teen comedy, and comic songwriting. Some students get to perform at the on-site, 110-seat Hyena Theater, which hosts four or five shows a month. 2390 Mission, Ste. 304, S.F. $165 for 20 hours of class time. (415) 821-3601.

Inner Richmond coffeehouse Java Source features poetry and comedy performances several nights a week. Comedians perform Fridays and Saturdays. Fri.-Sat., 10:30 p.m., 343 Clement, S.F. (415) 387-8025.

The Luggage Store hosts one of the longest-running open mic comedy nights in the city every week in its second-floor gallery space overlooking Market Street. Tues., 8 p.m. (sign-up 7:30 p.m.), 1007 Market, S.F. $3 suggested donation. (415) 255-5971.

An offshoot of the Marsh, the Mock Cafe presents an hour of open mic comedy as a lead-up to its showcase performance Saturday nights. Line up at 7 p.m. to be sure of a spot. Light refreshments are available. Sat., 9 p.m. (sign-up 8 p.m.), 1074 Valencia, S.F. $7 admission includes showcase. (415) 826-5750, ext. 4.

One World Café offers sandwiches, coffee drinks, and a friendly venue for amateur comics on Fridays. As at many open mic nights, there isn't actually a microphone. Fri., 8 p.m., 1799 McAllister, S.F. (415) 776-9358.

San Francisco Comedy College has a range of classes for aspiring comics and organizes showcases for promising students at several locations in San Jose and San Francisco. 315 Sutter, fourth floor, S.F. $300 for a five-session class. (415) 921-2051.

Way out in the zoo-lands, Seabiscuit Café lets anyone tell a few jokes on Wednesday nights. Snacks, coffee, and beer are available while you wait your turn. Wed., 8 p.m., 3815 Noriega, S.F. (415) 661-3784.