By Codi Jaques
Discover Liverpool and the city region’s venues that offer Open Mic nights if you’re looking to share some original music, sing your favourite song, read poetry or simply have a good night out listening to some local performers.
Music Open Mic Nights In Liverpool
The Jacaranda
Coined ‘the venue that gave birth to the Beatles’, the Jacaranda is a hot spot for Live Local Music. Not only does the Jacaranda’s Open Mic Night take place weekly at this club, The Jacaranda have also began curating a “best of” series for their YouTube channel, highlighting the shift in the music industry to online recognition. This provides artists who braved the Open Mic stage a platform bigger than the audience they stood in front of, and could potentially start or grow their career into the industry.
Located on Slater Street, The Jacaranda is retro in feel and legendary in history. If you are looking for an exciting night out listening to the new music of Liverpool, or if you are searching for a place to finally pluck up the courage to perform, this is your place. Open Mic Night takes place Every Sunday, with live bands most nights throughout the week also.
Future Yard
Across the water in Birkenhead’s new community venue Future Yard, they believe that “Music venues are the maternity wards of creative culture”. Taking place on a Tuesday night from 8pm, their open mic night allows musicians, singers and songwriters to test new material in their side bar called ‘The Yellow Room’. They have an on-the-door policy, allowing any and all kinds of acts utilise the chilled-out, encouraging environment.
Future Yard is open at 75 Argyle Street, and hosts numerous live music events as well as this open mic night every Tuesday.
Liverpool Arts Bar
Located on Hope Street, with new sister venue located in the Baltic Triangle (in the former home of the Baltic Social), Liverpool Arts Bar is a hub for local live music. This colourful setting is in the heart of the creativity in the city, just opposite the historic Everyman Theatre, and down the road from the Liverpool Philharmonic.
Not only does Arts Bar do regular Open Mic Nights at their venue, but also has platforms such as ‘Local & Live’, and their podcast series, that offers local artists a platform for their music. Arts Bar is fresh, and strives to support and develop the local artistic scene. I mean, it is in the name after all!
Liverpool Arts Bar is also available to hire, with studio spaces subsiding above the venue, meaning there is space to practice your open mic set!
Bloom Building
Bloom, in Birkenhead, host their Open Mic Night on the last Monday of each month. To book a slot contact [email protected], or message @astlesmusic or @louiemiles_ on Instagram.
The Pilgrim Pub
The Pilgrim pub hosts a music open mic night every Sunday from 7 – 10pm.
Metrocola
Head down to Metrocola on Leece Street every Tuesday for their music open mic night, between 7 – 10pm. All genres are welcome.
Jimmy’s
Jimmy’s Open Mic takes place every Wednesday from 7pm, upstairs at Jimmy’s Liverpool. Rock up, plug in & play or sit back and sup a cold one whilst you enjoy the live music. Performers are advised to arrive early to ensure that they can get their names onto the running order each week.
LEAF, Bold Street
LEAF, Bold Street also hold their regular Open Mic Nights on Thursdays from 7.30pm, where you can get the chance to perform on their ground floor. Hosted by Ogo, please bring along your own instruments, all levels welcome.
The Cavern Pub
Ian Prowse, singer and songwriter, runs an Original Work Open Mic every Monday in the historic Cavern Pub on Mathew Street. It’s a chance to showcase new material, and witness the talent of local bands, artists and poets. Opportunities to play on a stage as famous as in the Cavern is limited, so why not shoot your shot!
Poetry / Spoken Word Open Mic Nights In Liverpool
A Lovely Word at The Everyman Theatre
A Lovely Word takes place on the first Thursday of each month downstairs at the Everyman. It, again, is not your typical open mic. Instead, you share spoken word, or poetry, and listen to the exciting new writing of others. A perfect place to engage with those of similar interests in a beautifully inclusive venue.
Find out more about A Lovely Word.
Scratch / Itch Spoken Word Nights at The Shakespeare North Playhouse
Scratch is the Shakespeare North Playhouse’s monthly spoken word night for seasoned performers, that are looking for opportunities to showcase polished work with a wider audience.. It is an inclusive, welcoming community space for both performers and audience alike.
Itch is their monthly spoken word night for performers who are looking for a performance opportunity. You might be new to performing, or a seasoned performer looking for space to share your work. You might have been a performer a while ago and are looking to return to the mic! Everyone is welcome and supported here at Itch.
Contact Spoken Word Artist In Residence, Charlie Staunton, for performance slots and more information: [email protected]
SPEAK: At Jimmy’s
SPEAK: A monthly spoken word / poetry night held at Jimmy’s bar at the top of Bold St, Liverpool takes place every second Tuesday of the month.
10 open mic slots are available on a first come, first served basis, email – [email protected]
SPEAK is a non-profit organisation which provides a platform for spoken word artists in a unique venue on the head of Bold Street, facing the Iconic St Lukes Bombed out Church. They draw in performers from all backgrounds, with varying levels of experience and styles ranging from urban beat to traditional verse.
Hot Water Comedy Club
If music isn’t your thing, how about heading to the infamous Hot Water Comedy Club for Open Mic Nights on Mondays, where anyone could show up testing new material or just finding their feet as a comedian. This is certainly an open mic that is not like any other open mics on this list!
Every Monday from 7pm, in the Basement at Hot Water Comedy Club on Hardman Street. There is also the option to view the Livestream of this event, if you are unable to make it on the day.
Find out more about Hot Water Comedy Club’s Open Mic Night.
Liverpool is going above and beyond for its local artists and supporting them through these venues, plus many, many more in and around the city. So why not have a go yourself, take the plunge and perform that song or piece of poetry you have always practiced at home. Or, why not support some incredible artists and first time performers doing that exact thing.