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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 If you think we're missing an open mic event or our information is out-of-date, please contact us with correct whats on info.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

British folk iconoclast Chris Wood graces the candlelit hush of John Wesley’s New Room. His everyday epics sketch sharp-edged portraits of England’s many overlooked lives, from empty nests to minor league football teams to tragedies of industrial decay. Acute compassion ballads FFO: Martin Carthy, Karine Polwart, Billy Bragg, Richard Dawson. Chris Wood at John Wesley’s New Room.

Marauding Norsemen Agabas charge into town wielding their self-coined ‘deathjazz’: a pummeling uptempo rawk engine with a thrash gallop, horn blasts strafing through the noise, and shredding throat growls atop a storm of riffs and rhythms. A cataclysmic ruin ritual FFO: Kvelertak, Imperial Triumphant, Slipknot, Converge. AGABAS at Exchange.

Sell out warning! Crazed cumbia meets mutant surf, acid champeta and retro-future radiophonic SFX via Bogotá’s most notorious supergroup (ft. Meridian Brothers mastermind Eblis Alvarez). Astonishingly strange new instrumental worlds FFO: Romperayo, Dengue Dengue Dengue!, Ondatrópica, Frente Cumbiero, Fumaça Preta. Los Pirañas at The Jam Jar.

Sell out warning! A Halloween oldie revamped! Two heavyweight purveyors of the midnight mood live-score Nosferatu in a creaky proto-horror symphony of shadows and smoke. Industrial folk-sludge enigma Circuit des Yeux merges with slowcore legend Alan Sparhawk (of Low fame) for a meeting of slow-burning indie grandeur and silent-era nightmare fuel. Circuit des Yeux feat. Alan Sparhawk presents Nosferatu - Score at Strange Brew.

What our editors say

“The Singer Songwriter Sessions @canteenbristol! Join us on June 1st for the first edition of a cosy new night of contemporary folk & singer-songwriter music. Stripped-back acoustic sets, warm atmosphere, and a rotating lineup of Bristol-based artists. Curated live music from 8:30pm–10pm Optional open mic from 10pm onwards”
From: The Singer Songwriter Sessions

“The Singer Songwriter Sessions @canteenbristol! Join us for a cosy new night of contemporary folk & singer-songwriter music. Stripped-back acoustic sets, warm atmosphere, and a rotating lineup of Bristol-based artists. Curated live music from 8:30pm–10pm Optional open mic from 10pm onwards”
From: The Singer Songwriter Sessions

“Every week we open our doors and stage to welcome all performers and eager ears. Your host, Max Harrison will be kicking things off from 8pm, so arrive early to book your slot. As always with Mr Wolfs, the party never stops, so as the open mic draws to a close, the DJs begin. Door Policy We reserve the right to turn away large groups, in particular Stag Parties, Sports Socials or Pub Golf. We want everyone who comes to Mr Wolfs to feel safe and comfortable.”
From: Mr Wolfs Open Mic

“A poetry open mic night designed for the nervous and neuro complex but open to everyone. Hosted by Helen and Varosha. Prearranged open mic order 3 minute slots Follow @ourplacepoetry for more information! (or email [email protected]) Last Thursday of each month at HOURS, 10 Colston Yard, BS1 5BD HOURS does not have its own bar so please bring your own refreshments.”
From: Our Place Poetry

“The Singer Songwriter Sessions @canteenbristol! Join us for a cosy new night of contemporary folk & singer-songwriter music. Stripped-back acoustic sets, warm atmosphere, and a rotating lineup of Bristol-based artists. Curated live music from 8:30pm–10pm Optional open mic from 10pm onwards!”
From: The Singer Songwriter Sessions