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A Horror-Lit Open Mic Series
Every Thursday Night in October | A New Location Each Week
Dare to share your darkest stories.
This October, the shadows come alive and the mic goes cold. Fright Lines invites writers, poets, and fearless fans of the macabre to a weekly open mic series that celebrates the terrifying, the twisted, and the uncanny. Each Thursday night, we gather at a different haunted (or just haunting) venue to share original horror-themed works—and maybe raise a few goosebumps.
Whether you’ve got bone-chilling flash fiction, a nightmare-inducing poem, or a tale that keeps you up at night, this is your chance to let it out… before it eats you alive.
WHEN
Every Thursday in October
Signups: 5:30 p.m. | Mic: 6 – 8 p.m.
Where
A rotating lineup of spooky venues—think candlelit bookshops, moody cafés, and creaking basement bars.
What to bring
5 minutes of original work
A willingness to be haunted
A friend to clutch during the scary parts (optional… but encouraged)
Open to All
First-timers, seasoned writers, and horror-lovers welcome. Signups happen on site—first come, first scream.
This open mic is a haven for horror lovers, storytellers, and creepy creatives of all kinds. We welcome monsters, misfits, and ghost-story geeks—but we do not welcome hate. All performers and listeners are expected to treat each other with respect and keep the space free from discriminatory, derogatory, or harmful speech or behavior. We’re here for chills, not cruelty. Violators will be shown the door… and possibly fed to something lurking in the basement.
Schedule
Date
October 2
October 9
October 16
October 23
October 30
Location
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
Details
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
Each participant will have up to five minutes to perform their piece(s).
20 open spots before waitlist.
Plan on participating? Check out our Performer Guidelines page.
Follow @FrightLinesMic
to stay up to date on events
and other exclusive horror content.
Frequently asked questions
About the Fright Lines Horror-Themed Open Mic Series
What is Fright Lines?
Fright Lines is an open mic night dedicated to horror-themed literature—featuring readings of original horror stories, poetry, and gothic performances. Held every Thursday in October, the series aims to build a spooky, inclusive community of writers and horror lovers. Each week, we meet at a different eerie venue in New Jersey where writers, poets, and performers share original work inspired by the creepy, the unsettling, or the downright terrifying.
Who can participate?
Anyone! Whether you’re a seasoned performer, an unpublished writer, or just someone with a spooky story to tell, you’re welcome to sign up and share. All genres and experience levels are encouraged—as long as your piece has a horror, dark fiction, or gothic theme.
Fright Lines strives to create a safe, inclusive space for all performers and audience members. Respectful behavior is required at all times, as any form of hate speech, discrimination, or harmful words or actions will not be tolerated. Let’s keep the focus on creativity, not cruelty. (Please read our Code of Conduct below for more information.)
Where is it held?
The location changes each week to keep things mysterious. Expect candlelit bookshops, moody bars, backroom speakeasies, and other atmospheric venues around the state. Weekly locations are announced on our calendar and social media.
Give @FrightLinesMic a follow on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads to stay up to date on each of the open mics.
What time does it start?
Signups open at 5:30 p.m., and the mic begins at 6 p.m., running for approximately two hours. Arrive early to grab a good seat and sign up for a reading slot!
How do I sign up to read?
Signups happen on site, starting no earlier than 5:30 p.m. each night. It’s first come, first served—so if you’re hoping to read, we recommend getting there early.
What kind of material can I read or perform?
Anything original with a horror, supernatural, gothic, dark, or eerie vibe:
Flash fiction
Excerpts from longer fiction
Poetry
Monologues
Keep it to 5 minutes or less, and try to avoid graphic content that’s unnecessarily violent, offensive, or triggering. Scary is great; disturbing for the sake of it, not so much.
Also, keep it creepy, not cruel. Hate speech, discrimination, or harmful words or behavior will get you ghosted. Respect for all performers and attendees is mandatory—let’s make this a safe space for everyone to share their darkest tales.
Finally, we don’t want anything written using AI—but if you’ve got a soliloquy by a shadowy specter, we’d love to hear that!
Are musical performances allowed?
Yes! If you have a spooky song or terrifying tune beating in your heart, unleash it at a Fright Lines open mic night. Please keep it acoustic though, as we can’t accommodate electric guitars, basses, keyboards, etc. And all musical performers will still be limited to five minutes.
Can I just come to listen?
Absolutely! We love a good audience. Bring a friend (or familiar), grab a drink, and enjoy a night of spine-tingling storytelling.
Is there a theme or dress code?
No required theme beyond horror, but feel free to dress up—black attire, vampire capes, Victorian mourning clothes, or whatever gives you the chills. We won’t stop you from being extra. In fact, we encourage it.
Please ensure that all costumes are in the spirit of fun and fright. Avoid attire that could be offensive, discriminatory, or hurtful to others. After all, the only thing we want to haunt are the mics, not anyone’s feelings!
NO weapons will be permitted into any venue.
Will there be food or drinks?
That depends on the venue. Some locations have menus; others may be BYO-friendly. Check each week’s event listing and the respective venue’s website for details.
Are these events suitable for kids?
Content often includes mature or frightening themes, so we recommend these events for ages 16+ unless otherwise noted for specific nights.
Content may include strong language, dark humor, and unsettling themes. Discretion is advised for those easily disturbed by horror or adult themes. Please proceed with caution, especially if you’re sensitive to graphic content or intense performances.
Is there a cost to attend?
Nope—Fright Lines is free to attend and participate in. Donations may be accepted to support local venues or artists, but there’s no mandatory fee.
Does this open mic series only take place in October?
Right now: yes. But follow us (@FrightLinesMic) on social media and sign up for Patrick Lombardi’s newsletter to be notified when Fright Lines returns for special popups throughout the year.
Still have questions?
Complete the contact form below or DM us online. We’ll get back to you… if we make it through the night.
Code of Conduct
Enter at Your Own Risk
Fright Lines welcomes all things spooky, eerie, and unnerving at our horror-themed literary open mic nights. Horror is an expansive genre where the darkest corners of the human imagination come to life—gore, ghosts, the grotesque, and the grim. We get it. This is the house of fear.
That said, we are committed to creating a space where all participants can share their work safely and respectfully. Any form of hate speech, discrimination, or harmful behavior—whether it’s targeting individuals based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic—will be exorcised immediately. This is a place for creative terror, not real-world harm.
So summon the sinister, conjure the bizarre, and haunt us with your creativity—but leave hate and harm at the door. Let’s make these nights spine-chilling for the right reasons.
Disclaimer:
The views, opinions, statements, stories, themes, and content expressed by performers or participants during Fright Lines open mic nights are solely those of the individuals expressing them and do not reflect the views, positions, or opinions of Patrick Lombardi, host venues, affiliates, or associated parties.
All content presented during Fright Lines open mic nights is unscripted, uncensored, and not prescreened or pre-approved. As such, Lombardi and host venues make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, appropriateness, legality, or suitability of any content presented by participants. Attendance and participation are at your own discretion and risk.
By attending or participating in a Fright Lines open mic night, you acknowledge and agree that Lombardi and the host venue shall not be held liable or responsible, directly or indirectly, for any statements, acts, omissions, or content presented by any individual performer or participant. Lombardi and the host venue(s) expressly disclaim any and all liability for any damages, losses, or offenses that may arise in connection with the content shared during an event.
Participation in or attendance at a Fright Lines open mic night constitutes acceptance of this Disclaimer.
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