Thursday open mic nights in London

Every last Thursday of the month · 20:00–22:00

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 29 October

Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.

other

Every Thursday · 20:00–23:45

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 1 October

Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.

other

Every 1st Thursday of the month · 20:00–20:00

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 1 October

Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.

other

Every 1st Thursday of the month · 19:00–21:00

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 1 October

Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.

Every 3rd Thursday of the month · 19:00–22:00

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 15 October

Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.

other

Every Thursday · 19:00–23:00 · 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 1 October

Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.

other

Every last Thursday of the month · 18:30–18:30 · 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 29 October

Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.

eventbrite

Every 2nd Thursday of the month · 19:30–23:30 · 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 8 October

Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.

other

Every 1st Thursday of the month · 18:30–22:00

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 1 October

Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.

Every Thursday · 20:30–00:00

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 1 October

Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.

other

Every 1st Thursday of the month · 18:30–21:00

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 1 October

Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.

Every last Thursday of the month · 20:00–20:00

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 29 October

Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.

other

Every last Thursday of the month · 19:00–23:00 · 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 29 October

Worked out from the night’s usual pattern. Check with the venue before making arrangements.

other