Thursday open mic nights in London
Open mics that run on a thursday in London and Kent.
Our nights
We run these, so the dates are ours to stand behind.
- The Oak
Every other Thursday · 7.30pm–10pm
Next: Thursday 12 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.
North
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
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.
East
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.
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.
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.
South West
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.
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 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.
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.