Open mic nights in London
Where to play in London, with the day, the time and how to get a slot. The nights we run are marked. For everything else we list what the venue or the host has published, so check with them before you travel.
Our nights
We run these, so the dates are ours to stand behind.
- Pedro Lounge
Every Wednesday · 7.30pm–10.30pm
Next: Wednesday 11 November
- The Oak
Every other Thursday · 7.30pm–10pm
Next: Thursday 12 November
- The Oak
Every other Sunday · 7.30pm–10pm
Next: Sunday 22 November
Other nights around London
Run by other people. We list what the venue or the host has published, so check with them before you travel.
Central
The Bull and The Hide
run by UK Open MicEvery Tuesday · from 7pm
A minute from Liverpool Street on Devonshire Row, in a pub and hotel with its own restaurant. Free to play, ten minutes a slot, and walk-ups are taken.
Next scheduled: Tuesday 10 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Craft Beer Co. Covent Garden
run by Accelerando RecordsEvery Friday · 7.30pm–10.30pm
Each week is a heat, with the audience voting for a winner who goes to a ticketed final with a £200 prize and two hours of studio time. Six acts have to show up for the competition to run. Free entry, over-18s with physical ID.
Next scheduled: Friday 13 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Marlborough Arms
run by UK Open MicEvery Tuesday · from 7.30pm
Free, with one ten-minute slot per person, set-up included, and booking ahead is advised. Backing tracks are fine for anyone bringing their own player and 3.5mm lead. Goodge Street is three minutes away.
Next scheduled: Tuesday 10 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
North
The Alwyne Castle
run by UK Open MicEvery Wednesday · 7pm–7.30pm
A UK Open Mic night in a large Islington pub with a conservatory and beer garden, walkable from Highbury & Islington or Finsbury Park. Free to play.
Next scheduled: Wednesday 11 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Owl & Hitchhiker
run by Owl and HitchhikerEvery Wednesday · 7.30pm–10pm
Next scheduled: Wednesday 11 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Star of Kings
Every Thursday · 8pm–11.45pm
Original songs, instrumentals and anything else musical all get a turn. Filthy Buns runs the kitchen. The pub also holds a separate open karaoke night on Fridays.
Next scheduled: Thursday 12 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
North West
Allsop Arms
run by UK Open MicEvery Saturday · from 7.30pm
Free to play at a roomy traditional pub on Gloucester Place, three minutes from Baker Street. The first fifteen performers get ten minutes each and everyone after that gets five. Miss a booked slot and it counts against later ones.
Next scheduled: Saturday 14 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Backstage Bar & Cafe at Harrow Arts Centre
Every 1st Thursday of the month · 7pm–9pm
A spoken word night from Words2Music with several five-minute open spots, which go first to poets and storytellers who are newer to it. Book ahead by emailing futurewordlondon@gmail.com.
Next scheduled: Thursday 3 December
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Belsize Community Library
Every 1st Thursday of the month · 6.30pm–9pm
Dan Sandman has hosted here since 2016. There is a full PA and a digital stage piano, and slots go out on the night, first come first served, on a round system. It gets busy, so sign up early.
Next scheduled: Thursday 3 December
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Camden Club
run by The Camden ClubEvery Tuesday · 8pm–11pm
Next scheduled: Tuesday 10 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Lockside
run by UK Open MicEvery Monday · 6.30pm–7pm
Next scheduled: Monday 9 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Prince Albert
Every Tuesday · 7pm–10pm
Musicians, comedians and poets all take a turn.
Next scheduled: Tuesday 10 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Prince Arthur
run by UK Open MicEvery Friday · from 7.30pm
Free, with ten-minute slots, run by UK Open Mic. The promoter's Eventbrite series has dates listed into 2026.
Next scheduled: Friday 13 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Rose & Crown
run by SchtickEvery Sunday · from 7pm
Free comedy run by Schtick at this Kentish Town pub, drawing comics from the London open mic circuit.
Next scheduled: Sunday 15 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
East
Coppermill Pub
run by John's Open MicsEvery 1st Tuesday of the month · 8pm–11pm · hosted by John, Richard, Steve Rushton
John hosts with Richard and Steve Rushton. Acts who go down well here have been booked back for paid gigs at the bar.
Next scheduled: Tuesday 1 December
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Coppermill Pub
run by John's Open MicsEvery 3rd Tuesday of the month · 8pm–11pm · hosted by John, Richard, Steve Rushton
Run by John's Open Mics, with Richard and Steve Rushton alongside. Performers have been offered paid gigs at the pub off the back of playing here.
Next scheduled: Tuesday 17 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Cricketers - Woodford
run by John's Open MicsEvery last Thursday of the month · 7pm–11pm · hosted by John, with Lisa
Three songs each, or four for a band with three or more permanent members. If the running order leaves room, everyone gets another one or two, or the night finishes on a short jam. John hosts with Lisa, on the same circuit as Orford House and the Coppermill.
Next scheduled: Thursday 26 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Fabwick
run by Accelerando RecordsEvery Wednesday · 7.30pm–10.30pm
Run by the independent label Accelerando Records, in a Hackney Wick bar. Tickets go through Eventbrite rather than sign-up on the door.
Next scheduled: Wednesday 11 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Old Crown
run by GET DOWNEvery last Thursday of the month · from 8pm
The pub describes it as a house party crossed with an open mic. It goes out under the name GET DOWN, and was called The Birds before that.
Next scheduled: Thursday 26 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Orford House
run by John's Open MicsEvery 2nd Thursday of the month · 7.30pm–11.30pm · hosted by John, Steve Rushton, Richard
Sign-up opens at 7.30 and playing starts around 7.45. Everyone gets three songs, or four for a band with three or more permanent members, and if there is time the room goes round again or ends with a short jam.
Next scheduled: Thursday 12 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Paper Dress Vintage
run by Noteworthy Open MicEvery Sunday · 6.30pm–10.30pm · hosted by Jimmy Logic and Chiu Dat
Free entry, with a guitar amp, bass amp and drum kit on site so full bands can play rather than only solo acts. Jimmy Logic and Chiu Dat host. The night moved here from Pub On The Park.
Next scheduled: Sunday 15 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Star By Hackney Downs
run by LDN Comedy (Hackney Comedy Club)Every Wednesday · 8pm–10.30pm
New material night upstairs, with six comedians on the bill plus a headliner and the occasional drop-in. Entry is £4 and the room is over 18s only.
Next scheduled: Wednesday 11 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Three Colts Tavern
run by Long Face ComedyEvery 1st Monday of the month · 7pm–9pm
Six to eight comedians take five minutes each in the pub's private room. This date is run for charity. The same night runs again later in the month.
Next scheduled: Monday 7 December
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Three Colts Tavern
run by Long Face ComedyEvery 3rd Monday of the month · 7pm–9pm
Six to eight comedians take five minutes each in the pub's private room. The earlier date each month is the charity one, so this is the standard night.
Next scheduled: Monday 16 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Three Compasses, Dalston
Every 2nd Monday of the month · from 7pm · hosted by Lewis
Nothing to pay to watch or to play. The house kit runs to a piano, a microphone and both electro-acoustic and electric guitars. Everyone who plays gets two turns, for songs, poems or spoken word.
Next scheduled: Monday 9 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
South East
Against The Grain Taproom + Cidery
Every 1st Thursday of the month · 6.30pm–10pm
Slots go ahead of the night rather than on the door. Message the taproom on Instagram or email taproom@againstthegraincidery.co.uk to get on the list.
Next scheduled: Thursday 3 December
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Anchor Bankside
run by UK Open MicEvery Tuesday · from 7pm
Free to play in a 17th-century Thameside pub at Bank End, with seating outside by the river. Slots run to ten minutes, dropping to five once fifteen performers have signed on.
Next scheduled: Tuesday 10 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
British Oak
run by Blackheath Folk ClubEvery Tuesday · from 8.30pm · hosted by Lynne (club), Peter (pub)
Run by Blackheath Folk Club, though the bill leans acoustic rather than strictly folk and all genres get a hearing. Slots are ten minutes or two songs, with a PA provided. Performers are asked not to plug rival venues from the stage.
Next scheduled: Tuesday 10 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
George
run by UK Open MicEvery Wednesday · 7.30pm–10.30pm
Free and open to all styles at a 17th-century coaching inn with a large courtyard. Slots are ten minutes including setup, a cable is supplied for anyone playing from a device, and performers are asked to buy at least one thing at the bar.
Next scheduled: Wednesday 11 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Golden Anchor
Every Tuesday · 8pm–10.30pm
A jazz jam rather than a standard open mic, open to singers and players at any level. The pub serves Caribbean food and appeared in Tom Kerridge's Saving Britain's Pubs.
Next scheduled: Tuesday 10 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Shirker's Rest
run by New Cross Songwriters CircleEvery 1st Sunday of the month · from 6pm · hosted by Martin Howard
The New Cross Songwriters Circle meets in the upstairs room of this micropub on Lewisham Way, hosted by Martin Howard. It grew out of the pub's earlier Thursday open mic.
Next scheduled: Sunday 6 December
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
South West
Bishops
run by Accelerando RecordsEvery Saturday · 7.30pm–10.30pm
The audience votes for a winner each week, who goes through to a final with a £200 prize and two hours of studio time. Sound and lighting come with monitors, backing tracks arrive by AirDrop or email, and entry is free apart from the ticketed final.
Next scheduled: Saturday 14 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Bishops
run by AcoustifyEvery Thursday · 7pm–11pm · hosted by Mike Gill
Originals and covers both go down at this Fulham Palace Road spot, where Mike Gill hosts for Acoustify. The PA, mics and cables are provided, with a house piano and guitar to borrow.
Next scheduled: Thursday 12 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Brixton Recreation Centre
run by Active LambethEvery 3rd Thursday of the month · 7pm–10pm
Comedians, poets and musicians share one bill on Level One of Brixton Rec, with stage lighting, a live compere and a DJ. Leisure centre members and non-members can both take part.
Next scheduled: Thursday 19 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Cavendish Arms
run by Comedy VirginsEvery Tuesday · from 7pm
An entry-level stand-up night on Hartington Road, in a pub full of vintage odds and ends. Up to twelve comics get five minutes each, and the audience shouts 'buy 'em a drink' for the ones they rate. Every comic is expected to bring a friend.
Next scheduled: Tuesday 10 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Cavendish Arms
run by Comedy VirginsEvery Wednesday · from 7pm
Comedy Virgins runs the same entry-level stand-up format on Hartington Road: twelve comics, five minutes apiece, and a crowd that shouts 'buy 'em a drink' when an act lands. Bringing a friend along is a house rule.
Next scheduled: Wednesday 11 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Hagen & Hyde
run by UK Open MicEvery 1st Thursday of the month · from 8pm
Free to perform, ten minutes a slot. A 3.5mm cable is provided, so anyone using backing tracks needs only to bring a player. The bar has a terrace, real ales and a gastropub menu.
Next scheduled: Thursday 3 December
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Putney Public Library
run by Poets in PutneyEvery last Thursday of the month · from 6.30pm · hosted by Becx
Poets get five minutes each, reading from paper, a phone or from memory. It costs £3 to perform and £5 to watch, and the Disraeli Road entrance is step-free. Becx hosts a night that has run since June 2025.
Next scheduled: Thursday 26 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Railway
run by Comedy BanditsEvery Monday · from 7pm
Free entry, upstairs at the pub on Clapham High Street. Comedy Bandits run it, and the night took the Chortle award for London's best comedy open mic from 2023 to 2025.
Next scheduled: Monday 9 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Railway
run by Comedy BanditsEvery Wednesday · from 7pm
Comedy Bandits run this free night in the upstairs room on Clapham High Street. It won the Chortle award for London's best comedy open mic in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The Friday show at the same pub is a paid bill, not an open mic.
Next scheduled: Wednesday 11 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Rebel Inn Streatham
Every Thursday · 8.30pm–12am
The house backline runs to two basses, a drum kit with breakables, a keyboard and three amps, plus a PA and two mics, so full bands can play as well as solo acts. Backing tracks are allowed behind original songs.
Next scheduled: Thursday 12 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Woodman Pub
run by UK Open MicEvery Monday · 7pm–8pm · hosted by Brandon Palmer
Brandon Palmer runs this one for UK Open Mic, in a traditional pub on Durnsford Road a short walk from Wimbledon Park station. Nothing is published about slot length or gear.
Next scheduled: Monday 9 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
West
ActOne Cinema & Café
run by Your Acton BIDEvery last Thursday of the month · 8pm–10pm
Signups from 7:30pm. Ten-minute slots in the cafe-bar lounge of a community-owned cinema on Acton High Street. Poetry, comedy sketches, acoustic sets and instrumentals all get a turn, and it costs nothing to play or to watch.
Next scheduled: Thursday 26 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
Bikesoup
run by Accelerando RecordsEvery Tuesday · 7pm–9.30pm
Run by Accelerando Records inside Westfield London, on the same competition format as their Fulham night: the audience votes for a winner, who goes through to a final with a £200 prize. Free entry, backing tracks accepted, slots booked through Instagram at @accelerando_records.
Next scheduled: Tuesday 10 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The George IV, Chiswick
run by London UnpluggedEvery Wednesday · 8pm–10.30pm · hosted by Tom Lukas
Performers get a four-song set rather than the usual one or two, with a full PA, monitors, stage lighting and a house guitar. Solo acts, duos and trios only. Booking is online at londonunplugged.co.uk, up to two weeks ahead, and slots fill fast.
Next scheduled: Wednesday 11 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
The Hope
Every Sunday · from 8pm
Open to anyone who turns up, at a pub on Kew Road that also runs comedy and quiz nights.
Next scheduled: Sunday 15 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.
O'Neill's Wardour Street
run by Hot VoxEvery Monday · from 8pm
Sing It, To Win It gives £100 a week to the performer the audience votes for, with the vote run through Instagram. Hot Vox put it on. The pub's number is 020 7494 9284.
Next scheduled: Monday 9 November
Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.