What's On / Bristol Gigs / open mic nights

Bristol's Open Mic Nights

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Bristol's Open Mic Nights Scene

Bristol is home to some great open mic nights, both in the centre, along Gloucester road and in the Bristolian suburbs. As in most citys, open mic nights in Bristol are most commonly found on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in live music pubs. Like quiz nights, open mic gigs provide a cheap way for venues to entertain on the quieter nights of the week. True or not, it's a pleasant surprise to find some of Bristol's best live music at the smallest open mic night. Whats on at open mics is of course hit and miss however it's rare to go to an open mic in Bristol and find a high crap to quality ratio. Even if acoustic music and singer-songwriters aren't your thing some open mics can still be worth a look.

So that's the run-down of weekly open mic nights in Bristol. As you can see there's an open mic night pretty much every weeknight somewhere on Gloucester road, making this a great place to start. If you want to play at an open mic night click the name of the Bristol venue above for contact details. It's also worth mentioning that it's a rarity to find an open mic that isn't free entry so it's always a tempting option if you need some free live music in Bristol! If you think we're missing an open mic event or our information is out-of-date, please contact us with correct whats on info.

Are open mic nights a way to get signed?

Bristol’s vast range of music-focused pubs (the Old England, Stag and Hounds, The Rope Walk) has given rise to a thriving open mic ‘scene’. Maybe the most democratic of gigs, these anything-goes events could be in danger of moving off into directionless jazz noodlings. But they foster an open attitude that feeds into Bristol’s loose jam band scene and encourage the mentality of ‘playing well with others’ And who knows, Bristol’s eager eyed talent scouts or PRS for music representatives might be at the next open mic night.

Buy tickets for open mic nights events in Bristol

Our recent open mic nights recommendations

Sell out warning! Plaintive finger-picking pastoral folk brilliance, dripping with hushed Nick Drake-style melancholia and Bert Jansch barroom virtuosity. Henry Ayling’s a troubadour lost in time: travelling from place to place along cart-dusted hedgerows in search of songs and sympathetic ears. Simply jawdropping! An evening of folk music in a late autumnal key to tickle the last leaves from the tree.

What our editors say

“Join us this Sunday as we welcome critically acclaimed Saxophonist and composer Sam Crockatt. Sam is well known across the UK for his unique blend of contemporary language and respect for the tradition. Sam has performed as part of the LFG Jazz festival, Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Kragujevac Jazz Festival (Serbia) and WDR Festival (Cologne.) Sam has appeared as a sideman on many acclaimed records and released 3 records under his own name, his 2009 release Flood Tide having won a Parliamentary Jazz Award. Sam will join the house trio for a set of standards before welcoming guests to join for a jam session in set 2.”
From: Sam Crockatt + Jam Session

“We are back with another instalment of beats, games and vibes. This month we got @harvsletoad coming through to bless us on the Between Lilypads Tour! Support from the homie @brickjame. Also performing on the night is LA beatmaking legend @ohrickybeats whilst he is visiting Europe. @itsjoshwahhh is coming back after shelling the open mic last month for a full set. @althebeatcreator making their CGN Debut!f2f2f2 Gonna be not one to miss! COSIES, PORTLAND SQ FREE ENTRY 8-12f2f2”
From: Cosies Games Night Harvs Le Toad, OHRICKY , Video Games Beats Vibes

“Join us for a special Sunday evening of live jazz at Bar 57, North Street, Bristol. Jazz Gems kicks off with a warm-up performance from Mary and her band from 7pm, before the second half opens up to guest singers and musicians, so bring your voice, bring your instrument, and come ready to play. Whether you're there to listen or to get up and join in, it's a relaxed and welcoming space to enjoy great music and good company. Sunday 12th April, 7–10pm Bar 57, North Street, Bristol BS3 1HJ Free Entry To secure your open mic slot, email [email protected]”
From: Jazz Gems

“Instrumentalists and vocalists welcome to join the house band for an open jam session; bowed strings, guitars (Maccaferri / archtop), accordions, cimbalom, wind, brass, double bass, percussion, vibraphone, melodica etc etc....all encouraged to explore the Jazz Manouche / Gypsy Swing universe! Hosted by Hot Club of Avalon. Free entry / pay what you can. Spirited, 196 North St, Southville, BS3 1JF house band: Chris Nesbitt - Maccaferri Lewis Tredinnick - Maccaferri Riaan Vosloo - contrabasse”
From: JAZZ MANOUCHE JAM

“Our Razzomo journey began in 2013 with an open mic night in Pai, Thailand, shortly followed by our 1st gig there and another in India in what's become our 2nd home of Agonda, Goa. Since then we've played 1000's of gigs and festivals all over UK as well as many in India and across Europe including festivals in Denmark and Croatia.”
From: Razzomo 'Journeys' Album Launch + Mike Dennis