Open Mic Nights

A comprehensive list of a few open mic events across Bristol

Open Mic nights are a staple of Bristol life; they showcase artists of all types: singers, musicians, poets, comedians, the list goes on. There are so many open mic events every week in Bristol; if you’re musically or comedically gifted, then they’re a great way to dip your toe into performing and build up some on-stage courage. But if you’re anything like me, with no talent at all, then open mics, in my opinion, are the absolute best way to support local artists and find out about local, lesser-known gigs. Almost all of them are free, so your night can be as cheap as you want it to be, and it’s a great way to meet new people and have a great night out. Open mic nights tend to run Sunday to Thursday, as Fridays and Saturdays are busy pub nights, so they’re a fantastic way to chill out on a weekday and socialise

I reached out to 2 local musicians for their input when writing this list:

• Ben Spodris: A creative ukulele player and poet who is a staple at many open mic nights across Bristol and I’ve had the pleasure of seeing perform on many occasions. Check out Ben’s Instagram; it also has links to his Spotify, Bandcamp and poetry.
• Mike Dennis: A massively talented violinist, rapper, and self-described menace. Mike not only performs but also hosts a few open mics across Bristol, his technical mind and musical ear, always makes for a great listener experience. Check out Mike's Instagram; it also has links to his YouTube, Bandcamp, future gigs and open mics.

Sunday

1st Sunday of the month:

The Bristol Fringe, Princess Victoria Street – Hosted by Jelli Records, sign up from 7:30pm, free entry:

Hosted in the back room of a charming pub in Clifton, this open mic night fosters a warm and respectful audience that truly values the performances. Performers of all experience levels are encouraged to share their creativity and passion in a supportive setting.

          This is also one of Ben’s top picks: “The Jelli Records open mic at the Bristol fringe has been running for a while now in the back room which makes for an intimate atmosphere. Run by the same people who run the Songwriters showcase, good place to test out new material in my opinion, with an attentive crowd.”

Every Sunday and Thursday:

The Oxford, Totterdown – Hosted by Graeme Moncrieff, starts at 7pm, free entry and a drink for every performer:

This music open mic has been running for 16 years, which has cultivated a loyal and supportive audience. Equipped with a full PA system, including monitors, a house guitar, and multiple microphones, providing the perfect environment to show off your musical talents at a well-established and seasoned open mic event.

          This is also one of Mike’s top picks, who praises its lovely atmosphere.

1st Sunday of the month:

The Greyhound Pub, Fishponds – Hosted by Megs and Bec, sign up from 6:30pm, performances start at 7pm:

Presence is one of Bristol's longest-running open mic nights; it's an unamplified event with an attentive crowd, and they even have a house guitar, so you don’t have to travel with your instrument. The pub serves a fantastic Sunday roast, so why not make a day of it and book yourself in before the open mic.

Monday

The Beer Emporium, King Street – Hosted by Mike Dennis, sign up 7pm, entertainment from 8pm, free entry:

This is one of my personal favourites. A relatively new open mic, but hosted by the talented and experienced Mike Dennis, means that it is a fantastic night. The turnout is still quite small at the moment, so discover Bristol’s best-kept secret and head on down to the Beer Emporium, grab yourself a pint of the every changing selection of beers and ciders, sit back, relax and enjoy the immense talent on display. If you’d like to perform, there’s a house guitar and piano, so you don’t even need to bring your instrument.

          This is also one of Ben’s top picks: “Mike who has previously hosted the open mic at the Gallimaufry now hosts the open mic at the Beer emporium. Located downstairs in the Vaulted cellar bar makes for a nice environment but mind your head when getting up!”

Mr Wolfs, St Nicholas Street –  Hosted by Max Harrison, Starts at 8 pm, free entry and a drink for every performer:

 This open mic, recommended by Mike, takes place at one of the most established small venues in central Bristol. Mr Wolfs is renowned for its lively, energetic atmosphere, so as the open mic ends at 11 pm, the DJs begin. It’s an ideal platform for performers who thrive in a vibrant, party-like setting.

The Gallimaufry, Gloucester Road – Hosted by Luna Kali, sign up 7pm, entertainment from 8pm, free entry and a drink for every performer:

This open mic event takes place in a well-regarded, lively pub on Gloucester Road, which has served as a nurturing platform for local musicians since it opened in 2012. The Gallimaufry positions itself as a welcoming space where people can express their true selves, and over time, it has evolved into a cornerstone for artists seeking to share their talents.

Tuesday 

Every other Tuesday:

The Grain Barge, Hotwells – Hosted by Mike Dennis, sign up at 7pm, start at 8pm, free entry and a drink for every performer:

The Grain Barge stands out as a vibrant floating venue on Bristol’s harbour; the open mic is held downstairs with an energetic atmosphere and excellent sound quality. Conveniently, a house guitar is provided, so performers don’t need to travel with their own instruments. Host Mike warmly invites “Singer-songwriters, rappers, poets, comedians, anyone whose act fits into 10 minutes (or 2 songs)” to participate.

The Ship Inn, Lower Park Row – Hosted by Leo Nathan, starts 7:30pm, free entry:

This historic pub in the city centre hosts an open mic event that welcomes all abilities, genres, styles and forms. It attracts a diverse and inclusive audience that ensures that everyone, from seasoned artists to first-time participants, feels valued and supported, making it a cornerstone of the local creative community.

Wednesday

 The Golden Lion, Gloucester Road –  Hosted by Jim Davies, sign up 7pm, music from 8pm, free entry and a drink for every performer:

A great Gloucester Road open mic event, held in the pub’s back room, creating an ideal setting for focused performances by minimising distractions from the main bar crowd. Equipped with a house guitar and keyboard, the event encourages participation without the hassle of transporting instruments. While currently skewed toward male performers, the host is actively inviting more female musicians to take the stage, aiming to cultivate a richer, more balanced event.

          This one is recommended by both Ben and Mike, with Ben stating, “After a recent refurb the Golden lion has come into its own in terms of the open mic and other events in my opinion, Jim the friendly host has run it for over 8 years, and it is definitely worth a visit.”

Last Wednesday of the month:

Café Kino, Stokes Croft – Hosted by Xanthe, starts at 7pm, pay what you can:

The “What a Drag! Another Open Mic?” event, hosted at the not-for-profit cooperative café in Stokes Croft, is an 18+ trans-inclusive open mic designed to amplify the voices of trans, non-binary, intersex, Two-Spirit, and gender non-conforming artists. It’s pay-what-you-can, but no one is ever turned away for not having the money. This event is a beautiful show of inclusivity, providing a safe, affirming space for the trans community, reflecting Bristol’s reputation as a welcoming and progressive city.

Thursday

Barrelhouse, Clifton – Hosted by Leo Nathan, starts 7:30pm, free entry:

The “Barrelmouth” Open mic night, hosted by Leo Nathan (also known for the Ship Inn) as this pub inspired by the classic Southern States dive bars. Welcoming artists of all styles and skill levels, the event blends a laid-back, unpretentious vibe with great food and drink. Enjoy happy hour pricing from open until 10 PM, paired with hot, fresh Detroit-style pizza, making it the perfect night out for music, food, and fun.

Special mention: Poetry open mics

While many open mic events do encourage performers of all kinds, here are a couple that are poetry-specific

Sunday

Last Sunday of the month:

Sidney & Eden, Gloucester Road –  Hosted by Brian Inglis, sign up at 7.30pm, starts at 8pm, free entry:

Nestled away on Gloucester Road, this cosy bar hosts an intimate spoken word open mic where creativity thrives in a supportive and friendly atmosphere. Whether you’ve penned poetry, short stories, or even book chapters, this unique event invites you to share your words and bring your writing to life

Tuesday

Every second Tuesday of the month:

The Bristol Fringe, Princess Victoria Street – Hosted by Max Hamlyn/Charis Owen, sign up 7:30pm, starts at 8pm:

The Bristol Fringe open mic, held in the same intimate back room as the Sunday Jellicat Records event, provides a welcoming stage and a supportive, encouraging audience. With 24 dedicated 5-minute slots, performers have ample time to showcase their talent and enjoy all other performances.

          Ben recommended this one: “Being a poet as well as a musician, I find it's a good place to test out poetry and words that don't tend to make it into song”.

 Headfirst Bristol is a local not-for-profit business that advertises and sells tickets for local Bristol events; it is at the top of the list of websites to use when looking for local events. For every open mic event I’ve told you about, there will be so many more that I haven’t, one-off open mic events and loads of local gigs and activities. Check out their website to find out more.