Open mic etiquette

This month I am doing the most open mic nights I have ever in one month, could a more experienced performer tell me is it ok to go to open mic's and not buy a drink or just have a glass of tap water, this may sound like a silly question.

I have seen other performers just drink tap water but I also feel like if the promoter has got a deal with the venue and he is supposed to be bringing business in, then I should at least buy a couple of beers in support of the night.

However this month with all the travelling I will be doing etc I have to be very careful with money.

So what are your opinions on this?

To be honest I donbt think they mind

Or just get a lime soda its usually 50p going on your own too often is less popular

Thanks Sooty, At the moment I still take at least one friend to each gig as its nice to have a bit of support, but sooner or later I am sure I will have to attend alone.

I am aware some nights will only let you perform if you bring a friend but can it be a problem with the nights where this is not stated beforehand?

I think the rule of thumb is if you're funny and people enjoy you being there you're golden. Not bringing friends regularly makes you a pest as an open mic night without punters is awful, and who the hell goes to an open mic night for fun? (well ok some do). But bringing loads of friends is even more annoying.

Your reply made me chuckle Sooty, so true! I never take more than a couple of friends with me as I don't have that many, but in regards to audience I have done a couple of gigs recently where one the only non performing audience member was my girlfriend (although a few people turned up later) and another that was literally all performers performing to each other which was a terrible night.

I have been thinking about these nights and while I understand that it is difficult to get a real audience in to watch a load of unheard of comedians should the promoters/organisers be doing something to ensure there is an audience?

The latter open mic I talked about is a pay to play venue, now at least with the former although there was no audience it was free, but if it is pay to play should it not be up to the promoters to make sure their is an audience for the comedians or as a new act should I just be happy to part with money for stage time?

Pay to play is a really bad option.

Comedy bin seem to get lots of good nights, but don't cancel too many gigs or you'll end up black balled like myself.

Thanks Sooty, I think I am in contact with comedy bin, I can highly recommend electric mouse if you are looking for nights other than comedy bin ones.

Electric mouse, I've done some stinkers with them.

Starting up as a standup is like being a professional arse kisser at a conference for professional farters.

It's why I keep getting started and losing interest, generally much happier writing shit for others.

Since etiquette means "the done thing", open mic etiquette probably means drown them out by heckling...

Quote: Stylee TingTing @ June 10 2013, 9:12 PM BST

Try 3-4 minute theatre.

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Open mic 3-4 minute theatre?

Julio,
The only deal the promoter would have with a venue, is to bring in a paying audience, as one of the acts you are part of the pull, so therefore exempt from spending money.