Liverpool’s Best Open Mic Nights
Check out some of the best open mic nights in Merseyside...
Open mic events provide important platforms for emerging talent to find their feet as performers, take to the stage and perhaps enjoy their first taste of playing music in front of an audience.
Informal, and usually welcoming a variety of styles, they can also be effective spaces for performers to network and meet like-minded individuals and musicians.
Liverpool is a richly musical city from its iconic heritage to the emerging artists to come from its music scene - so as you'd imagine, there are plenty of open mic events to check out.
With ICMP launching its undergraduate courses in Liverpool from September 2024, here's our overview of some of the best spots in the city to get you and your music heard.
The Cavern Club
Hosted every Monday night by local musician Ian Prowse, the Cavern's Monday Club is an institution, having taken place for over ten years.
Unlike many open mic nights, this stage welcomes anyone to perform their own original material - bands, poets, and playwrights are all invited to share their creations in this iconic Liverpool venue.
This is a fantastic opportunity to take the stage in what must be one of the famous music venues in the world.
The Jacaranda
The Jacaranda is another legendary live music located in the heart of Liverpool on Slater Street.
Like the Cavern, the venue is linked with the Beatles and Merseybeat, having originally been opened by the Fab Four's first manager, Allan Williams.
Regular touring gigs and a record label make up part of the Jacaranda's business alongside its new Jacaranda Baltic venue in Cains Brewery in the Baltic Triangle.
Beatbox at Box Park
Boxpark is one of the latest additions to Liverpool's entertainment landscape.
This multi-functional event space is located in the Baltic Triangle as part of the Cain's Brewery. It is the first Boxpark to be found outside of London and features eight independent food traders alongside an array of events.
The open mic night is every Sunday and is for performers, poets and comedians to take the stage to show off their skills.
Future Yard
Located in Birkenhead, Future Yard is a live music and artist hub, providing live gigs and music business support and education for Liverpool creatives.
The venue's open mic night takes place every Tuesday and is hosted by Katie Mac, a local artist and Propeller scheme mentor. The venue is an exciting addition to Merseyside's music scene and helping to regenerate the area it calls home.
The Beeswing
Located on Smithdown Road, the Beeswing is a live music bar launched by Irish singer songwriter Conleth McGeary.
Named after Richard Thompson's song, open mic nights usually take place on a Wednesday for poets and performers but can change - get in touch with the venue to learn more. There's always someone performing at the venue nearly every night of the week.
Liverpool Arts Bar
With two locations in Liverpool's city centre, one on Hope Street, the other in the Baltic Market, Liverpool Arts Bar is an essential platform for local live music talent.
Each week, an open mic night takes place that alternates between the two spaces.
Billed as "a safe and encouraging platform for musicians to try out new material and meet like-minded performers", the open mic event runs alongside film screenings, art classes and more, all part of a programme organised to support Liverpool's creative community.
Metrocola
The Metrocola bar in the city centre hosts an open mic night every Tuesday.
Running from 8-11pm, this weekly session is a relaxed and welcoming event with no need to register any interest in advance. Open to all genres and abilities, aspiring performers just need to turn up on the night to play.
Wood Street Bar
The Wood Street Bar is a busy boozer in the city with a weekly open mic night among its line up for live sports and other events.
Taking place every Thursday with local artist and performer Alice Jacobsen at the helm, this is another friendly and relaxed event for performers.
The Scotch Piper Inn
The Scotch Piper Inn is to be found north of Liverpool's city centre and believed to be the oldest pub in Lancashire. It was originally built in 1320 and is steeped in character, making it a great place for an open mic event.
There is live music every weekend while the welcoming open mic takes place on the first Friday of every month.
Valley Community Theatre
Situated to the south of the city in the Childwall Valley, the Valley Community Theatre opens up its stage to performers every Friday evening.
All music performed is original and the adults session runs from 7-10pm (there is another session earlier for younger performers).
It's an informal setting and worth the trip for a great night of music.
Take the first steps in your music career with ICMP
We've been developing and delivering contemporary music education for over 30 years – longer than any other music school in the UK. With a proven track-record, countless music industry connections and unrivalled access to facilities, it's easy to see why hundreds of students choose ICMP each year.
To completely immerse yourself in your music career, chat with our friendly Admissions Team via email enquiries@icmp.ac.uk or give them a call on 020 7328 0222.
Find your course
We've been developing and delivering contemporary music education for over 30 years – longer than any other music school in the UK. With a proven track-record, countless music industry connections and unrivalled access to facilities, it's easy to see why hundreds of students choose ICMP each year.
To completely immerse yourself in your music career, chat with our friendly Admissions Team via email enquiries@icmp.ac.uk or give them a call on 020 7328 0222.