What's On / Bristol Gigs / open mic nights

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 If you think we're missing an open mic event or our information is out-of-date, please contact us with correct whats on info.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

“Come join us for another QPOC Jam at Exchange, a live music jam session created by and for Queer People of Colour in Bristol. This event was formed to provide Bristol's queer global majority community with a third space for musicians and non-musicians alike to enjoy live music as a tool for community and expression. It focuses on exploring music in non-secular ways, de-emphasising structure and formality, and more on connecting with sound in a way that resonates and feels empowering and fun.”
From: QPOC Jam

“Roll over, roll over—for the next iteration of Underwire’s female/nb-focused musical event! Fresh off the back of their inaugural open mic in December and their first open jam last month, this music collective is now hosting a showcase to delight our sweet eardrums. Set in the ever-popular Crafty Egg (after their usual café hours—how exciting!), this event will bring together some of Bristol’s best up-and-coming performers within a gorgeous location.”
From: SPRING SHOWCASE

“A brand new live laboratory creating fresh experiments at the intersection of spoken word, music and live improvisation, with featured artists, an open mic and guest musicians. Part show, part flow, all enquiry. We’re inviting in more collaborators. No lab coats required.”
From: Laboratory Sessions

“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