The best open mic nights in London

The Troy Bar is a unique venue that offers different events throughout the week, including Tuesday Spirit & Soul open mic sessions supported by seasoned musicians. Other genres are welcome throughout the week as well, from jazz jam sessions to open mic reggae nights. The Caribbean bar and restaurant encourages inclusivity and caters to a mature crowd that mainly enjoys vintage soul, jazz, funk, and acoustic low-key events.

Located in South London, Hope & Anchor is a vibrant bar and beer garden that features tiki huts during the summer season. The bar serves filling burgers and a variety of craft beer and cocktails, and is a popular destination for a younger demographic. It offers an array of entertainment options such as pub quizzes, life drawing classes, free improv comedy shows, and Acoustify Open Mic nights every Monday. Entry to these is free.

Ruby Sings is a popular weekly live music showcase held in the upstairs bar area of the famed Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, featuring unsigned UK musicians and bands across a diverse range of genres such as R&B, hip-hop, neo soul, pop, jazz, and funk. The event welcomes performers of all levels and has become a hub for London's grassroots music scene, attracting both music enthusiasts and cocktail lovers. In addition to the live music, the event also features a late-night jam session and DJs, making it a must-attend for those interested in London's underground music scene.

The All In Showcase is a monthly networking event and stage for emerging talent, presented by All In Music at The Brickstone. The platform aims to raise awareness of up-and-coming artists and provide them with a wider audience to showcase their talents. Whether you're a poet, singer, rapper, producer, comedian, or entrepreneur, this event is an opportunity to shine and build your network. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend and share their ideas during different parts of the showcase.

The New Cross Inn, a South London haven for fans of alternative music genres, hosts a late-night open mic every week in its basement bar. The open mic night runs from 11pm to 3am and welcomes acoustic acts and solo musicians, as well as poets and stand-up comics. Entry is free.

The Grey Horse is a Kingston pub that's known for its award-winning food by Smok'd, including a burger of the month, and a huge choice of whiskeys. In the back of the venue, you'll find Ram Jam Records, an intimate space that plays host to live music, pub quizzes, theatre shows and other events. The speakeasy hosts weekly open mic nights, as well as a monthly hip-hop night with open mic slots.

In the warren of rooms and hallways that is the historic Anchor Bankside pub in London Bridge, UK Open Mic hosts a weekly event that welcomes emerging talents to the microphone. It's highly advisable to book your time slot in advance. These nights provide a friendly and inviting atmosphere for artists to perform and connect with fellow musicians.

Located in Cricklewood, Elementree is a bar and restaurant with a vibrant atmosphere and flavourful Italian cuisine, from pastas to pizzas. Every fortnight, the venue hosts the NW2 acoustic jam session and open mic night, one of the most prominent such events in the area. The sessions feature a full band and admission is free.

The RecordShop is an independent grassroots organisation that aims to develop and connect young inner-city musicians, linking them up with global lifestyle brands such as Red Bull and Dr Martens. The venue encompasses a recording studio, desks for hire and an event space. It hosts regular open mic sessions, providing young musicians with the opportunity to connect not just with the local community, but also fellow musicians and industry professionals.

The Queen's Head is an independent pub nestled in Soho that aims to embody the quintessential London experience, with a vast selection of local cask ales and draft beers. Once a week, it hosts an open mic night where participants can compete to enter the main prize – £200 cash and studio time. The winner is decided by audience vote, so musicians are encouraged to spread the word.

Ritzy Picturehouse in Brixton is an iconic London cinema building that also serves as a community hub with a live music space. Upstairs at The Ritzy is a bar and music venue above the cinema that hosts a regular open mic session, The Purple Room. The event features some of the best up-and-coming talent in London.

Stokey's Babel Art House, a popular local café and Turkish restaurant, has a basement event space where it hosts live music, Turkish karaoke nights, jam sessions, film club screenings and other events. Every first and third Thursday of the month, it hosts open mic sessions that welcome musicians, spoken word artists, dance performers, actors and other creatives. The event is designed to establish a community of creative minds and enhance networking.

The Distillers pub in Hammersmith, a popular location for after-work drinks or a tasty pub meal, hosts weekly open mic nights organised by London Unplugged. The company provides the complete package for a professional and reliable open mic night, based on years of experience. They also offer additional services to performers, such as live audio recordings or professional photos.

UK Open Mic runs free open mic nights every Saturday at The Hercules Pillars, a traditional English pub near Holborn Station. The friendly, relaxed and welcoming events feature ten-minute slots for each performer, which equals two songs each – though you can play just one, if you prefer. Prior registration via the UK Open Mic website is required.

A legendary grassroots music venue in Camden, The Fiddler's Elbow is famed for hosting gigs every night of the week. On the first Tuesday of the month, it puts on the Bubblebath Open Mic event, a showcase of London's finest raw and naked talent. Each artist is given eight minutes on stage or the opportunity to perform two songs, and admission is pay what you can.

Luna, located in Leytonstone, is a busy community hub for live music. Operating daily, this independent spot showcases a diverse range of emerging artists spanning various musical genres. They also regularly offer open mic nights for budding talents.