How to survive your first open mic

Nerves are normal. Here is what five years of hosting has taught us about getting through your first five minutes.

Maya Okafor

Founder and programme lead

Everyone in the room has been where you are. That is the first thing to remember.

Pick one thing

Play the song you know best, not the one you wrote last night. Five minutes goes faster than you think.

Tell us it is your first time. We will put you early in the list, while the room is warm and before you can talk yourself out of it.

Oct 20, 2026

The best games for a table of people who met ten minutes ago, picked by our game night hosts.

Oct 6, 2026

Running a free weekly game costs money. Here is why we think it is worth it, and how sponsors help.