Nuyorican Open Mics
Photo Credits: Paul James Abreu II
The ‘Open Mic’ is the primary entry-level space where artists can share their work with peers, network with like-minded individuals, and refine their craft. During the Nuyorican Poet Cafe’s 50+ year history, we’ve had amazing artists such as MF DOOM, Erykah Badu, & Eminem grace our stages and use our home as a stepping stone on their pathway to success.
Current Open Mics (2026):
The Nuyorican Poets Cafe Open Mic at The Loisaida Center: Every Wednesday Except the First Wednesday of the Month
Check into our Nuyorican Poets Cafe Open Mic @ The Loisaida Center in-person or via Livestream on YouTube starting 6:30 PM every Wednesday except the first Wednesday of the month. This Open Mic, hosted by the illustrious Brian the Motel Guy, is where you’ll find artists of every creed and background networking, sharing freely, and supporting one another in their endeavors to grow and establish themselves within our greater NYC Arts community!
You’ll find yourself at home in this Open Mic if your work is conventional or avant-garde, contemporary or archaic. All forms of performance art are welcome and encouraged to have their work professionally filmed for posterity as they build connections with like-minded creators! We at the Nuyorican Poets Cafe pride ourselves on holding the most accessible, supportive, and professionally beneficial Open Mic in the world, all for the low, low price of 10$ [In-Person]!
W.o.W. (Womxn Orator WEdnesday Open Mic): held the First Wednesday Of every Month
Womxn Orator Wednesday is an Open Mic by Womxn, for Womxn and Womxn Representing peoples. Hosted by our 2024 Grand Slam Champion Sumbodies Mama, Womxn Orator Wednesday will feature a showstopping poet at the top of her game.
The Nuyorican Poets Cafe has always shown and will always show solidarity with the most marginalized segments of our community. W.O.W. is us not just talking the talk, but following through on our promises to our beloved ladies.
To maintain anonymity and protect our performers, W.O.W. is not live-streamed or filmed in any way. It is open to all genders for participation, but the ladies will be given preference for performance.
If you have work dedicated to the special womxn in your life, or simply want to support womxn, get a ticket to our W.O.W. Open Mic for only $10 at Nuyorican.org/calendar.
The Online Open Mic ~ FREE (Rsvp opens every Wednesday)
Speaking of the world… Do you want to interact with poets, artists, and musicians from throughout the country and the rest of the globe? All languages, performance mediums, and themes are invited to RSVP for FREE every Wednesday 8PM ET.
Meet artists from around the world, all from the comfort of your bed, preferred cafe, or park, by tuning into The Online Open Mic Hosted and livestreamed by The Nuyorican Poets Cafe in collaboration with Elemen2al The Poet . New themes and new poets are integrated into the program every week!
The Writopia x Nuyorican Teen Open Mic
WritopiaLab and the Nuyorican Poets Cafe have collaborated to bring opportunities to engage in literature and performance arts to the youth!
These events are populated by the wonderfully talented young writers from Writopia and teens from schools all throughout New York City. For all teens, participation is FREE. Parents are encouraged to provide a $10 donation to ensure events of this kind can continue for years to come!
The Twilight Hour Open Mic: The last Friday Of every Month
Feeling impulsive and want to perform at our Final Friday Slam?
The Twilight Hour Open Mic, hosted by our Executive Director Caridad De La Luz A.k.a. La Bruja, takes place immediately after our monthly Final Friday Slam. Here we open up the stage to those inspired by the fantastic poetry of the night Come sign-up in person on the last Friday of each month!