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 If you think we're missing an open mic event or our information is out-of-date, please contact us with correct whats on info.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

“An evening of folk music in a late autumnal key to tickle the last leaves from the tree. Open to the folkies who can't stand another rushed open mic or a talkative pub session, this is for all those who love to listen to traditional stories and be lullabied into a pastoral dream world of Engliish revelirie. Two young folk artists of faire Bristol gather for an evening of gentle folk to welcome in the dark months.”
From: Henry Ayling and Loam Folk

“Hosted by Andy Nowak, Bristol Fringe brings you our exciting event, Jazz Rapport Jam! This will be a comprehensive jam session, encompassing a multitude of styles from across the ages. Come down and show your support while enjoying our delicious range of cocktails and local beers!”
From: Jazz Rapport Jam

“Griffiths’ musical journey began with picking his way through pop punk and indie rock as an angsty teen, before finding his voice after an accidental discovery of Bob Dylan in his dad’s record collection. By 2016, he joined forces with a trio of fellow open mic night regulars to form The Howl & The Hum. Yet, after the Covid-19 pandemic nixed plans for touring or any onstage fanfare around the release, pressure began to build in the group and the band gradually crumbled, leaving Griffiths as the last remaining member.”
From: The Howl & The Hum + Elanor Moss

“Manuals of Fire is an organ trio fronted by John-Paul Gard who have for a number of years played a monthly Sunday residency at The Old Fish Market. Similar to last week's presentation in which the band was formed following a meeting between saxophonists Ben and Dan at a jam session, tonight's gig has arisen following an occasion on which trumpeter Andy Hague dropped in to the Old Fish Market and was invited up to play with Manuals of Fire. Musical sparks flew, and everyone agreed it would be fun to do it again for a whole gig. The music will be mainly jazz standards and well known Blue Note style classics.”
From: Manuals of Fire meet Andy Hague

“Molsky digs deep to transport audiences to another time and place, with his authentic feel for and the unearthing of almost-forgotten rarities from the Southern Appalachian songbook. Molsky seduces audiences with a combination of rhythmic and melodic virtuosity and relaxed conversational wit – a uniquely humanistic, downhome approach that can make Carnegie Hall feel like a front porch or intimate jam session.”
From: Bruce Molsky