Pinball, Pac-Man and a microphone. Keg & Coin has been called Jacksonville's first arcade bar, and it grew out of Beer:30, the Riverside craft beer shop. Inside are more than 40 arcade machines and a lineup of craft beer. Next door, Dart Bar adds darts, pool and skee ball, and the two sit side by side on King Street.
The Open Mic
Once a week the space between the two bars, known as The Alley, becomes a stage for a comedy open mic. It is comedy only, and it is open to every level, from people trying stand-up for the first time to working comics testing new jokes. Watching is free, signing up is free, and drinks come from the bar inside Keg & Coin. Comics are welcome to film their sets for social media.
What an Open Mic Is Like
An open mic is not a polished club show, and that is the fun of it. Sets are short. Some jokes are brand new and some will not survive the night. A first timer can go up right after a comic with years of stage time, and both are there to get better. The best thing a crowd can do is listen, laugh when it is funny and let the quiet moments pass. Talking over a comic who is still finding the bit is the one thing to skip.
Before You Go
- Keg & Coin and Dart Bar are open to all ages until 9 p.m., and after that the inside of both bars is 21 and over.
- The open mic is free, so there are no tickets and no ticket button on this page.
- Nights and hosts change over time, so check the bar's own posts for the night's rules.
Around the Corner
Riverside and Five Points have more comedy close by. FIVE in Five Points books touring stand-up, and Buchner's Bierhalle on Edgewood Avenue hosts a Saturday show. More on the neighborhood in Riverside and San Marco, and if a club night is next, start with your first comedy club night.