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The Comedy Issue: Top spots for free laughs

A tally of the best Twin Cities open mics.

October 11, 2012 at 4:26PM

Comedian Pat Susmich performing at Comedy Corner Underground. (Dml - Special To The Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

ACME COMEDY CO.

708 N. 1st St., Mpls.

When: 8 p.m. Mon.

The Midwest's premier comedy club is about as good as it gets. While Monday's open mic serves as a platform for rookies, local favorites as well as national headliners -- including, recently, Andy Haynes, Mike Birbiglia and Josh Gondelman -- are known to pop in.

STUB AND HERB'S

227 SE. Oak St., Mpls.

When: 9 p.m. Tue.

Host: Adam Wheeler.

A relatively new addition to the scene, it's an ideal opportunity to test out material in front of a younger audience, which means they probably still have hopes and dreams.

GRUMPY'S

1111 Washington Av. S., Mpls.

When: 10 p.m. Wed.

Host: Chris Maddock.

Once described by this comic as "the ground zero of sadness" following a particularly devastating set. Hosted by the incomparable Chris Maddock, Grumpy's is without a doubt the coldest room in the city. If you get laughs here regularly, you're doing something right.

GALACTIC PIZZA

2917 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls.

When: 10 p.m. Thu.

Host: Michael Linden.

Maybe it's just the dim lighting, but Galactic's open mic has the vibe of a poetry reading. Regardless of the intimate ambiance, Galactic Pizza's inviting atmosphere makes it one of the most enjoyable rooms in the area -- particularly great for newcomers of all stripes.

COMEDY CORNER UNDERGROUND

1501 Washington Av. S., Mpls.

When: 10 p.m. Fri.

Host: Bob Edwards.

Located in the seedy basement of the West Bank's Corner Bar, the Comedy Corner Underground is one of the scene's most popular rooms -- rivaled only by Acme. The open mic routinely features an eclectic lineup of both professional and amateur standups. [Disclosure: The writer is an employee of Comedy Corner Underground.]

RICK BRONSON'S HOUSE OF COMEDY

Mall of America, 408 E. Broadway, Bloomington

When: 8 p.m. Tue.

Host: Mike Brody.

Yeah, it's in the Mall of America. And yeah, it sort of feels like you're sitting inside an airport hangar. But that doesn't mean you can't have a good time, right?