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  • Attractions
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    • EVEN MORE THINGS TO DO
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    • Arts
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    • Cannabis
    • Cultural Communities
    • Craft Spirits
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    • Music
    • Nightlife
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    • Sports
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    • Wine
    • MORE CULTURE
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    • Belmont
    • Central Eastside
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    • Northwest / Nob Hill
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Katie Vaughan

Katie Vaughan

Katie Vaughan is a writer and marketing coordinator living in Portland. Read More

Al\'s Den, at McMenamins Crystal Hotel, hosts free live music nightly. Al\'s Den, at McMenamins Crystal Hotel, hosts free live music nightly.
i
Al’s Den, at McMenamins Crystal Hotel, hosts free live music nightly.
Credit: Ian Sane, via Flickr
Culture / Arts

Free Live Music and Comedy

Laugh, sing and dance the hours away with these budget-friendly entertainment options across Portland.

Updated Apr. 30, 2020 4 min read
Katie Vaughan

Katie Vaughan

Katie Vaughan is a writer and marketing coordinator living in Portland. Read More

Traveling on a budget? There’s plenty of live entertainment to be found in Portland, including these free shows. Read on for our day-by-day list of free comedy shows and, following that, free music in Portland.

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You’re currently viewing a page featuring a selection of events. To find even more things to do in Portland, visit our full calendar, which you can search by date and event type.

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Free Comedy in Portland

In addition to weekly free comedy shows, several theaters and bars across Portland offer regular open mic nights. These local happenings are a great way to catch free comedy (or try it yourself).

Monday

“It’s Gonna Be Okay” | Eastburn – 8 p.m.

Local and traveling comedians can often be found Monday nights at Eastburn. This beloved neighborhood pub offers a seriously delicious food menu (including one of the country’s best grilled cheeses). Their showcase, “It’s Gonna Be Okay,” starts at 8 p.m. and is hosted by Portland’s bubbliest nerd comic, Barbara Holm. Consider coming back the next morning for Eastburn’s brunch offerings, including a $12 cocktail flight.

Tuesday

Open Mic | Helium Comedy Club – 8 p.m.

Portland’s premier spot for touring comics, Helium Comedy Club hosts an open mic every Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Open Mic | Lamp Tavern – 10:30 p.m.

The Lamp Tavern (located next to the illustrious Aladdin Theater ) hosts an open mic on Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Open Mic | Funhouse Lounge – 7:30 p.m.

Bizarre theater and bar Funhouse Lounge offers an open mic on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.

Friday

Comedy Night | Al’s Den – 10:30 p.m.

Beneath McMenamins Crystal Hotel downtown, you’ll find Al’s Den, a historic basement bar offering late-night music and comedy. On Friday and Saturday nights at 10:30 p.m., the popular spot hosts a free showcase of Portland’s best up-and-coming comedians. Hilarious host Brandon Lyons emcees the shows.

Open Mic | Funhouse Lounge – Midnight

Late-night Friday offers another opportunity for free laughs at Funhouse Lounge.

Saturday

Comedy Night | Al’s Den – 10:30 p.m.

Beneath McMenamins Crystal Hotel downtown, you’ll find Al’s Den, a historic basement bar offering late-night music and comedy. On Friday and Saturday nights at 10:30 p.m., the popular spot hosts a free showcase of Portland’s best up-and-coming comedians. Hilarious host Brandon Lyons emcees the shows.

Sunday

Open Mic | Kelly’s Olympian – 3:30 p.m.

Visit classic downtown bar Kelly’s Olympian for afternoon comedy on Sundays at 3:30 p.m.

Sincerity is Gross | Slide Inn – 8 p.m.

Southeast Portland’s Slide Inn hosts an all-night happy hour to accompany free comedy show Sincerity is Gross every Sunday at 8 p.m.

“Comedy is Everything” | Alberta Street Pub – 9 p.m.

Local comics Jake Silberman and Hunter Donaldson host this Sunday-night showcase at the Alberta Street Pub (free, but a $5 donation is suggested). This cozy bar on Northeast Alberta Street boasts a spacious, partially covered outdoor patio and generous space for live music and comedy. If you’re ready to brave the stage yourself, there’s an open mic session following performances by local and national comedians.

Comedy in Portland

Check out plenty of in-demand comedians in a classic format for sidesplitting humor — live and in person.

Go To Comedy

Free Music in Portland

Every Night

Musician in Residence | Al’s Den – 7 p.m.

Al’s Den makes the list again thanks to its artist residencies. Each week, a different musician-in-residence (from folky solo artists to singer-songwriter duos) performs nightly at no charge.

Happy Hour Shows | Laurelthirst Pub – 6 p.m.

You can catch great live music with no cover charge several nights a week at Southeast Portland’s Laurelthirst Public House. From 6-8 p.m. daily, happy hour shows — often featuring acoustic, Americana or bluegrass artists — are always free.

Nearly Every Night

Mississippi Pizza – Time and Format Varies

Mississippi Pizza, a beloved neighborhood haunt, offers frequent free shows. Delicious yet unpretentious pies are also on the menu, including vegan and gluten-free options. The laid-back event space, d\ubbed the Atlantis Lounge, is full of red vinyl benches and stained glass windows. Traveling with little ones who might appreciate live music? The spot offers frequent regular free performances from unique kiddie bands, like Mr. Ben and Red Yarn. (Red Yarn is all the rage amongst four-year-olds.) Some shows here do charge a cover, but it’s usually quite small.

Tuesday

Jimmy Russell’s Party City 2034 | Goodfoot Pub & Lounge – 10 p.m.

Every Tuesday night, the Goodfoot hosts a Portland soul-funk super-group led by guitarist Jimmy Russell and including members of The Quick and Easy Boys, The Excellent Gentlemen, The Liv Warfield Band and the Ural Thomas Band. The upstairs bar at this Southeast Portland institution offers food and pool tables. Goodfoot is best known for the music and dance venue in the basement, which feels like a snug, grungy speakeasy.

Wednesday

Lunchtime Concerts | The Old Church – Noon

When it comes to venues, The Old Church is one of the most stunning that Portland has to offer. This historic church faced demolition in the 1960s, but was restored as a non-denominational event space. It features original architecture and an awe-inspiring pipe organ. Their free Lunchtime Concerts occur every Wednesday at noon and range from solo piano concertos to string quartets.

Sunday

“Sunday Sessions” | Rontoms – 8 p.m.

Central Eastside mainstay Rontoms offers free concerts on Sunday nights. Called Sunday Sessions, these shows feature a lineup of multiple bands from Portland and beyond. Looking for an outdoor concert? In the summertime, bands perform under the geometric eaves of Rontoms’ back patio. The space is one of Portland’s most popular sun-kissed spots.

Comedy, Music

Music

Portland’s musical offerings are diverse as the city itself, with options including indie rock, jazz, classical, pop and more.

Go To Music

Portland on a Budget

Here are more low-cost ways to enjoy your time in Portland.

Go To On a Budget
The Alberta Arts District\'s monthly Last Thursday art walk and street fair

Free & Nearly Free

Sample food and beverage and plenty of the famous "Keep Portland Weird" spirit at these free and almost-free attractions.

\"Experience Oregon\" is a 7,000-square-foot permanent exhibit at Oregon Historical Society, reflecting the people, places and events that shaped the land that is now known as Oregon.

Cheap Things to Do in Portland for History Buffs

Experience Portland’s history without breaking your budget.

Spot this eye-catching mural on Northwest Fourth Avenue and Everest Street in Portland\'s Old Town Chinatown.

Cheap/Affordable Things to Do in Portland for Arts Lovers

Experience Portland’s stellar music scene, ample museums and galleries, arts walks and festivals — all without busting your budget.

The MAX Light Rail is a budget-friendly way to reach Washington Park.

Cheap Things to Do in Portland for Weekend Adventurers

Bring your walking shoes, water bottle and day-pack for an affordable urban adventure that highlights several things locals love about Portland.

The city comes to life with dozens of free, family-friendly things to do all summer long thanks to Portland Parks and Recreation\'s Summer Free for All program.

Summer Free for All

Portland Parks & Recreation offers over 400 free events including free movie screenings, concerts and rock climbing.

Portland\'s pet parents love hitting the trails in Forest Park.

Favorite Hiking Spots in Portland

Put on some comfortable shoes and start walking — you’ll be surprised how easy Portland makes it.

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