100.shows.fans

Venues I'm working with

All venues are in or near Melbourne, mostly inner-north and CBD. Most open mics are free to perform. Distances are from Chadstone. Comedy Republic (closed) is excluded. Status pills move from planned to contacted to booked to performed as the outreach happens.

The 100-shows stand-up project

About this project →

For venue bookers

Booking Mr Anonymous Comedian. Pitch in one paragraph: 100 paid or free stand-up sets before turning 40, with the venues, phases, and weekly cadence planned end-to-end by a language model. Sets are 5 to 7 minutes. The comedian can drive to your venue and bring their own PA. Below is the full outreach list. Email, phone, social, and "how to apply" are on every card. If the open mic calendar is full, bookings for paid showcase slots are still welcome.

The Comics Lounge

planned
North Melbourne · Paid Club · ~17 km km · Varies — see website
26 Errol St, North Melbourne VIC 3051
Contact
Bookings manager
Method
Email/Website
Email
[email protected]
Phone
(03) 9348 9444
Web
comicslounge.com.au
Free entry?
No
Set length
5-10 min
How to apply: Email or use online form — usually needs a tape or live introduction; 5-7 min new-act slots available
One of Melbourne's most established comedy rooms. Book through their site. New-act nights usually weeknights. Verify current process.
Shows here (0) Apply

MC Showroom

planned
Melbourne CBD · New Act Showcase · ~14 km km · Mon–Sat nights
48 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Contact
Tony Martin / booker
Method
Email
Email
[email protected]
Web
mcshowroom.com
Free entry?
Sometimes
Set length
5 min
How to apply: Send a tape or links to short videos; pitch for new-act showcases. Expect 5 min sets.
Long-running new-act and showcase room. Reliable for new comics. Apply online.
Shows here (0) Apply

The Butterfly Club

planned
South Melbourne · Open Mic · ~9 km km · Wed – Comedy Open Mic (verify)
5 Carson Pl (off Park St), South Melbourne VIC 3205
Contact
Venue booker / open-mic host
Method
Email/Website
Email
[email protected]
Phone
(03) 9690 2000
Web
thebutterflyclub.com.au
Free entry?
Yes
Set length
5-7 min
How to apply: Email with a short bio and a few jokes. Open-mic slots go fast.
Intimate variety/comedy room. Great for working on material. ~15 min from Chadstone.
Shows here (0) Apply

The Toff in Town (Curtin House)

planned
Melbourne CBD (Swanston St) · Showcase · ~14 km km · Varies
2nd floor, 252 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Contact
Bookings via Curtin House
Method
Website form
Email
[email protected]
Phone
(03) 9663 3551
Web
toffintown.com.au
Free entry?
No
Set length
10-15 min
How to apply: Submit through website. Tends to book more polished lineups — get some open-mics under your belt first.
Upstairs live-music/comedy room. Cool vibe, harder to break into.
Shows here (0) Apply

The Provincial Hotel (comedy room)

planned
Fitzroy · Open Mic · ~16 km km · Tue – Comedy Upstairs (verify)
299 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Contact
Host via Facebook
Method
Facebook DM / Email
Email
See Facebook page
Web
Facebook.com/ProvincialComedy
Free entry?
Yes
Set length
5 min
How to apply: DM the host on Facebook. Turn up early on the night as a backup. Walk-up spots often available.
Classic inner-north comedy room. Open and welcoming for new comics. Crowd drinks.
Shows here (0) Apply

The Workers Club

planned
Fitzroy · Open Mic · ~16 km km · Varies
51 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Contact
Booker via venue
Method
Email/Website
Email
[email protected]
Phone
(03) 9417 9910
Web
theworkersclub.com.au
Free entry?
Sometimes
Set length
5-7 min
How to apply: Email with bio + 1-min tape. Music-led venue but hosts comedy.
Solid room, mixed comedy/music programming.
Shows here (0) Apply

The Standard Hotel

planned
Fitzroy · Open Mic · ~16 km km · Varies — usually weekly
293 Fitzroy St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Contact
Host via Facebook
Method
Facebook DM
Web
Facebook.com/StandardHotel
Free entry?
Yes
Set length
5 min
How to apply: Drop a DM to the comedy night host. Walk-ups sometimes possible.
Long-running open mic. Good first room.
Shows here (0) Facebook DM

Malahat Lounge

planned
Collingwood · Open Mic · ~14 km km · Varies
70 Smith St, Collingwood VIC 3066
Contact
Host via Facebook
Method
Facebook DM
Web
Facebook.com/MalahatLounge
Free entry?
Yes
Set length
3-5 min
How to apply: DM host or just show up. Casual open mic.
Tiny back-bar open mic. Very low stakes — perfect for first 10 sets.
Shows here (0) Facebook DM

Doone's Bar

planned
Thornbury · Open Mic · ~18 km km · Mon – Stand Up Open Mic (verify)
891A High St, Thornbury VIC 3071
Contact
Host via Facebook
Method
Facebook DM
Web
Facebook.com/DoonesBar
Free entry?
Yes
Set length
5 min
How to apply: DM or just show up. Long-running northside open mic.
Friendly room, strong community feel.
Shows here (0) Facebook DM

Howler

planned
Brunswick · Special Event · ~20 km km · Varies
7-11 Dawson St, Brunswick VIC 3056
Contact
Booker
Method
Website / Email
Email
[email protected]
Web
howlermelbourne.com
Free entry?
Sometimes
Set length
10 min
How to apply: Email with pitch. Bigger room, usually themed or showcase events.
Used during festivals and one-off comedy events.
Shows here (0) Apply

The Brunswick Hotel

planned
Brunswick · Open Mic · ~20 km km · Varies
503 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056
Contact
Host
Method
Facebook DM
Web
Facebook.com/BrunswickHotel
Free entry?
Yes
Set length
5 min
How to apply: Casual — DM the night's host.
Inner-north pub open mic.
Shows here (0) Facebook DM

The Penny Black

planned
Richmond · Open Mic · ~10 km km · Varies
320 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121
Contact
Host via Facebook
Method
Facebook DM
Web
Facebook.com/PennyBlack
Free entry?
Yes
Set length
5 min
How to apply: DM the comedy host. Often a small back-room mic.
Convenient — closer to Chadstone than most inner-north rooms.
Shows here (0) Facebook DM

The Labour in Vain

planned
Richmond · Open Mic · ~9 km km · Varies
197 Burnley St, Richmond VIC 3121
Contact
Host via Facebook
Method
Facebook DM
Web
Facebook.com/LabourInVain
Free entry?
Yes
Set length
5 min
How to apply: Show up early or DM host. Pub open mic.
Closest inner-east option to Chadstone. Verify current programming.
Shows here (0) Facebook DM

The Melbourne Hotel

planned
East Melbourne · Special Event · ~14 km km · Varies
161 Spring St, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Contact
Venue manager
Method
Email/Website
Email
[email protected]
Web
themelbournehotel.com.au
Free entry?
Sometimes
Set length
10 min
How to apply: Email to enquire about comedy nights. Usually special events, not regular mics.
Occasional comedy — best for showcase spots, not first gigs.
Shows here (0) Apply

The Kelvin Club

planned
Melbourne CBD · Showcase · ~14 km km · Varies
14-30 Melbourne Pl, Melbourne VIC 3000
Contact
Bookings
Method
Email/Website
Email
[email protected]
Phone
(03) 9810 0578
Web
kelvinclub.com.au
Free entry?
No
Set length
10 min
How to apply: Members' club with variety/comedy. Apply via website.
Quirky private club. Harder to break in — gets you a different crowd.
Shows here (0) Apply

European Bier Café (comedy room)

planned
Melbourne CBD · Paid Club · ~14 km km · Varies
210 Exhibition St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Contact
Venue booker
Method
Email/Website
Email
[email protected]
Web
europeanbiercafe.com.au
Free entry?
No
Set length
5-10 min
How to apply: Email the bookings manager. Bigger comedy room.
CBD room, established lineups. Try once you've got 20+ open-mic sets.
Shows here (0) Apply

The Improv Conspiracy

planned
Collingwood · Special Event · ~14 km km · Varies
22 Wellington St, Collingwood VIC 3066
Contact
Booker
Method
Email/Website
Email
[email protected]
Web
theimprovconspiracy.com
Free entry?
Sometimes
Set length
5-10 min
How to apply: Improv-focussed but hosts occasional stand-up showcases. Cross-training valuable.
Good for crossover skills. Email to pitch a one-off show.
Shows here (0) Apply

Section 8

planned
Melbourne CBD · Special Event · ~14 km km · Varies
27 Tattersalls Ln (off Lt Bourke St), Melbourne VIC 3000
Contact
Venue booker
Method
Email/Website
Email
[email protected]
Web
section8.com.au
Free entry?
Sometimes
Set length
5-10 min
How to apply: Container-bar venue. Occasional comedy events — pitch a themed night.
Cool bar, harder to book for first-timers.
Shows here (0) Apply

The Crafty Squire

planned
Melbourne CBD · Open Mic · ~14 km km · Varies
127 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Contact
Host via Facebook
Method
Facebook DM
Web
Facebook.com/CraftySquire
Free entry?
Yes
Set length
5 min
How to apply: Pub mic — DM host or just turn up.
CBD pub. Verify current comedy night.
Shows here (0) Facebook DM

The Athenaeum Theatre

planned
Melbourne CBD · Showcase · ~14 km km · Varies — mostly festival
188 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Contact
Bookings
Method
Website / MICF
Email
[email protected]
Phone
(03) 9650 1500
Web
athenaeumtheatre.com.au
Free entry?
No
Set length
15-20 min
How to apply: Mostly bookable during Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Mar–Apr). Apply via MICF site then.
Iconic venue. Aim for MICF — biggest stage opportunity in Australia.
Shows here (0) Apply

Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF) – various venues

planned
Citywide · Special Event · ~5-25 km km · Mar–Apr
Multiple venues across Melbourne
Contact
MICF Programming
Method
Website portal
Email
[email protected]
Web
comedyfestival.com.au
Free entry?
No
Set length
15-60 min
How to apply: Apply via the MICF website (usually Aug–Sep for next year). Hundreds of shows — most direct path to paid runs.
The single biggest opportunity. Apply early. Build a 15- or 25-minute show.
Shows here (0) Apply

Melbourne Town Hall – MICF venue

planned
Melbourne CBD · Special Event · ~14 km km · Mar–Apr
Cnr Swanston & Collins Sts, Melbourne VIC 3000
Contact
MICF Programming
Method
Website portal
Email
[email protected]
Web
comedyfestival.com.au
Free entry?
No
Set length
15-60 min
How to apply: Apply via MICF for ticketed shows.
Biggest MICF venue. Very competitive.
Shows here (0) Apply

The Comic's Lounge — new-act showcase (subset of #1)

planned
North Melbourne · New Act Showcase · ~17 km km · Varies — usually midweek
26 Errol St, North Melbourne VIC 3051
Contact
Booker
Method
Email
Email
[email protected]
Phone
(03) 9348 9444
Web
comicslounge.com.au
Free entry?
No
Set length
5 min
How to apply: Email to be considered for the new-act showcase. Many comedians cut their teeth here.
Part of Comics Lounge. Good stepping-stone from open mics to paid spots.
Shows here (0) Apply

The Grand Hotel Mornington

planned
Mornington · Showcase · ~38 km km · Varies
119 Main St, Mornington VIC 3931
Contact
Booker
Method
Email/Website
Email
[email protected]
Web
grandmornington.com.au
Free entry?
Sometimes
Set length
10-15 min
How to apply: Regional showcase room. Worth the trip once you've got solid 15-min.
Regional crowd, great for road testing a set outside Melbourne. ~45 min from Chadstone.
Shows here (0) Apply

The Tote

planned
Collingwood · Special Event · ~14 km km · Varies
71 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066
Contact
Booker
Method
Email/Website
Email
[email protected]
Web
thetote.com.au
Free entry?
Sometimes
Set length
5-10 min
How to apply: Mostly music — occasional comedy events. Email to pitch themed nights.
Iconic music room; harder to book comedy. Better for thematic crossover shows.
Shows here (0) Apply

Melbourne Comedy Community (Facebook group)

planned
Online · Community · 0 km km · Daily
Online — Facebook group
Contact
Group admins
Method
Facebook
Email
via Facebook group message
Web
Facebook.com/groups/MelbourneStandUp
Free entry?
Yes
Set length
—
How to apply: Join the group. This is the single best live source for new open mics, cancellations, and gig swaps.
Your nerve centre for the whole 100-show journey. Watch this group daily.
Shows here (0) Apply

Reddit — r/melbourne & r/standup

planned
Online · Community · Monitor for comedy-night announcements and meetup groups. Less active than the Facebook group. km · Daily
Online
Contact
Mods
Method
Reddit
Email
via Reddit
Web
reddit.com/r/melbourne
Free entry?
—
Set length
0 km
How to apply: reddit.com/r/StandUp
Yes
Shows here (0) Apply

Comedy Booking Agencies (e.g.

planned
Token Comedy) · Citywide · Once you have 30+ shows of material, approach agencies for paid work. Token and similar handle festival and corporate bookings. km · Booking Agency
Online
Contact
Year-round
Method
Bookers
Email
Email / Form
Phone
See agency site
Free entry?
—
Set length
0 km
How to apply: token.com.au (example)
No
Shows here (0) Apply

Open Mic Australia (live listing site)

planned
Online · Community · 0 km km · Daily
Online
Contact
Site admins
Method
Website
Email
via site form
Web
openmicaustralia.com
Free entry?
Yes
Set length
—
How to apply: Live aggregator of Australian open mics — verify each entry on Facebook before showing up.
Cross-check before every gig. Better than relying on memory.
Shows here (0) Apply