A open mic nights gig in Bristol

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 If you think we're missing an open mic event or our information is out-of-date, please contact us with correct whats on info.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

What our editors say

“Underwire is Bristol's newest open mic + jam night elevating women, non-binary and queer performers at our city's premier creative hub, 395 (BS2 9EB).”
From: Underwire - Open Mic + Jam Night

“Kicking off 2025 with their sold out Soho jam session and a headline gig in East London, Fraka, are headed west to debut in Bristol, with their full 7 piece line-up bringing lush psychedelic soundscapes, irresistible horn melodies and deep hypnotic grooves to The Galli stage. Their music draws from a wide pool of influences, from afrobeat to broken beat, highlife to hip hop, all informed by an approach that leans heavily into the improvisation of jazz but kept in check by a commitment to making people move.”
From: Fraka + Fantastic Stranger

“Join us this Sunday as we welcome Internationally Acclaimed, London-based Saxophonist and Composer Len Aruliah. Known for his beautifully melodic and intricate lines, Len has toured with Gene Pitney, played theatre in the West End, world music with the 4Seasons Band and Association of British Calypsonians, and featured with the riotous Hackney Colliery Band and the River City Stompers. This sunday Len will join the house trio for a set of Jazz standards before welcoming guests to join for a jam session in set 2.”
From: Len Areliah + Jam session

“BIMM Bristol’s Busking Society are hosting an acoustic open mic for their students on 30th Jan at Mr Wolf’s! Perform solo, or with a band, the night will feature selected featured artists from BIMM and we are very excited to hear what you bring to the Mr Wolf’s stage! We provide keys, cajon, mics and amps, (please bring your own guitar/bass) Get down early for doors at 7pm to sign up on the night !!”
From: Bimm Busking Society Open Mic

“possibly the only saturday open mic in bristol, we invite you to come and share your talent with likeminded folk, all while chilling in the intimate and cozy vibes of the unit 8 studios. There's a full bar, as well as the wisest food in town, courtesy of our friends at pizza wisdom.”
From: January Edition

Trending Open Mic Nights Gigs

GreenStage Songwriters - Open Mic & Plant Swap at To The Moon
Blase at The Plough Inn
— The Plough Inn
jam session jazz soul
Vagina Monologues: Reading Reflection Inspiration at Wild Goose Space, The Yard, Bristol BS2 9YP
— Wild Goose Space, The Yard, Bristol BS2 9YP
world open mic theatre spoken word
The RIOT ACT Experience With Arthur Smith & More at The Mount Without
— The Mount Without
open mic comedy stand-up comedy poetry cabaret
We All Play Synth at The Love Inn
— The Love Inn
electronic techno electro synthpop open mic
Immigrant Jamms at The Plough Inn
— The Plough Inn
ska world jam session underground hip hop rap

Bristol's Trending Live Music Venues

Exchange The Louisiana Jam Jar The Trinity Centre The Marble Factory Rough Trade Bristol
Rising Youth presents SABADUB at Cafe Kino
— Cafe Kino
dub reggae roots reggae rock steady open mic
Lovejam Bristol Showcase at The Lord Mayor’s Chapel
— The Lord Mayor’s Chapel
jam session
Sidney and Eden Spoken Word Open Mic at Sidney & Eden
— Sidney & Eden
open mic spoken word poetry
What a Drag Another Open Mic? at Cafe Kino
— Cafe Kino
open mic lgbtq+ drag spoken word cabaret
Satellite of Love: Helen Ivory & Martin Figura at The Loco Klub
— The Loco Klub
open mic spoken word poetry
A Night at the Greengrocers: An Open Mic at Broadwalk Shopping Centre
— Broadwalk Shopping Centre
open mic singer-songwriter theatre comedy poetry
Come Out And Play at PRSC
— PRSC
ska world jam session underground hip hop rap
Underwire - Open Mic + Jam Night at 395
Arabic Ecstatic Soul Flow at Bridge Farm
— Bridge Farm
trance jam session soul
Lovejam Bath at St Marks Community Centre St Marks Rd Bath BA2 4PA
— St Marks Community Centre St Marks Rd Bath BA2 4PA
open mic jam session singer-songwriter poetry
Music & Spoken Word at YHA Bristol
— YHA Bristol
open mic singer-songwriter experimental spoken word
The Green Open Mic at The Green Room
— The Green Room
open mic singer-songwriter rap spoken word poetry
Cove Jam at The Crafty Egg, Church Road
— The Crafty Egg, Church Road
ambient jam session
La La Bar at The Bristol Improv Theatre
— The Bristol Improv Theatre
open mic theatre