WICKER PARK — Gearing its real life yarns only to those sharing experiences in restaurant, retail or hospitality gigs — a new open mic called Therapy debuts at High Noon Saloon in Wicker Park on Wednesday night.
Therapy will provide a free platform to share the "worst customer experiences in a five-minute story to a sympathetic audience of fellow industry workers," according to a news release.
The storytelling event is scheduled for 10 p.m. Wednesday at High Noon Saloon, 1560 N. Milwaukee Ave., with sign-up starting at 9:30 p.m.
Therapy's producer, Steve Shields, who is also a bartender at High Noon Saloon, previously hosted another open mic at Jerry's in 2013.
On Tuesday, Shields said waiters, bouncers, bartenders, doormen, bellmen, ride share/taxi drivers and other hospitality-types are encouraged to join Therapy and vent about their challenging customers, something they can rarely do on the job without losing their jobs.
So far, about 12 people have told Shields they plan to share their stories. Therapy will run at 10 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month.
The bar's usual Wednesday night drink deals, such as an $8 Manhattan or Old Fashioned, and $4 cans of Founder's beer, will be offered during the event.
Originally from Texas and raised in Milwaukee, Shields, a Humboldt Park resident, said he has worked in the hospitality industry for 17 years.
"There are just lots of crazy stories about people and customers and work situations. A lot of people go out drinking and rant about their day anyway after work. This gives everyone a chance to be a comedian," Shields said.
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