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Preston in Lancashire is the home of plenty of open mic nights with an eclectic mix of music styles and tastes. Preston open mic nights provide you with the opportunity to showcase your material in a wide variety of locations.
The Best Open Mic Nights in Preston
Looking for an open mic night in Preston? The venues below attract the best of the city’s brilliant musical talent, ranked in no particular order.
#1 Baker Street: Open Mic Night
The open mic at Baker Street is a great one to try out if you play an instrument or like to jam with other musicians.
Open to everyone, this open mic provides drum kit and PA Make sure to bring your instrument along if you want to showcase your stuff. Amps are also provided.
Bands and solo artists are all welcome, with any genre.
| Venue location: | Baker Street – 30-34 Avenham St, Preston, Lancashire PR1 3BN |
| Phone number: | 01772 822444 |
| Open Mic Night: | Tuesdays, 9pm |
| Want to perform? | Turn up and play. |
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#2 The Northern Way: Open Mic
This venue has only been open for a short time, but its open mic is a great asset to Preston’s music scene.
Hosted by Joanne Louise Griffiths, this night has a very warm and welcoming atmosphere. Bring your instrument or borrow one of Joanne’s – PA and backline are provided.
If you’re a singer, showcase your talent by singing acapella, with your band or using a backing track.
Don’t want to perform? Head down anyway and be entertained by some of the best talents in Preston! The night starts at 8:30pm every week.
| Venue location: | The Northern Way – 79 Friargate, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2ED |
| Phone number: | 01772 563250 |
| Open Mic Night: | Tuesdays, 8:30pm |
| Want to perform? | Turn up and play |
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#3 The Railway: Open Mic & Jam Night
The open mic jam night at The Railway has been going for about two and a half years now. Gavin Da Goliath has been running it for six months now with a consistent format.
There’s a drum kit, bass, and acoustic guitar provided. If you’re a percussionist, they have plenty of instruments and a small glockenspiel for anyone to use.
Having so much kit, the jams can get quite noisy at times, with blues guitarists shredding over reggae. It becomes fairly quiet and attentive for the acoustic performers though.
Turn up and play – they want the night to be completely open and welcoming. They also believe that pre-books can sometimes scare walk-in artists away, so they don’t have that option.
The Railway’s open mic night always does its best to give everyone a slot. The music starts at 8pm and runs till late.
| Venue location: | The Railway – 20 Steeley Ln, Chorley, Lancashire PR6 0RD |
| Phone number: | 01257 671541 |
| Open Mic Night: | Tuesdays from 8pm |
| Want to perform? | Slots are available on the night. |
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What should performers expect from a jam night?
Open Mic Night Near Me
#4 Rose of Farington: Open Mic & Jam Night
Another one of the open mic nights hosted by Andrew Smith, this open mic has been running for 2 years now.
Get down there at 9pm and just turn up and play. It’s run on a first-come, first-served basis and frequently gets busy, while a chilled out and relaxed atmosphere is always maintained
The night gets a mix of professional musicians, people who do it just as a hobby and complete beginners. All styles of music including original material are more than welcome. All musicians get treated with the same respect no matter what their standard.
This is a jam night as well as an open mic. Head downstairs and you’ll find a PA system, acoustic guitars, guitar combo amp, bass amp, electric drums, and electric guitars.
| Venue location: | Rose of Farington – 59 Stanifield Ln, Farington, Lancashire PR25 4QA |
| Phone number: | 07934 206936 |
| Open Mic Night: | Every other Wednesday, from 9pm |
| Want to perform? | Just turn up and play. |
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#5 The Oak: Steve’s Open Mic Night
The Oak open mic has been running for seven months now. Steve and the team provide the PA, a guitar, a bass and a Cajon for anyone who turns up.
This place gets quite a range of stuff, from your typical rock-pop covers to singer-songwriters, poets, comedy singers and even light up hula hoop dancing!
Steve always does his best to keep things easy-going, even when it gets really busy. It has been getting busier and busier as time has gone on.
The night takes place in the dining area of the pub, where there is a raised area that makes a perfect stage.
Things kick off around 8:30pm and runs until 11pm. There’s no need to book a slot, just turn up and put your name down. It tends to be in the order of arrival, but Steve’s more than happy to be accommodating.
Bonus: They also do a free video of one song from each act!
| Venue location: | The Oak – 143 Hoghton Ln, Hoghton, Preston, Lancashire PR5 0JE |
| Phone number: | 01254 490892 |
| Open Mic Night: | Wednesdays 8:30pm – 11pm |
| Want to perform? | Turn up on the night and sign up and check their Facebook group. |
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#6 Vinyl Tap: Open Mic
The open mic at Vinyl Tap is another great night to try out if you’re looking for a music event on a Tuesday night.
The night has recently returned after a brief hiatus, now providing kit and PA.
Everyone’s welcome – make sure to bring your instrument along to guarantee yourself a slot during the night.
All performers get a free bottle of Budweiser too!
| Venue location: | Vinyl Tap – 28-30 Adelphi St, Preston, Lancashire PR1 7BE |
| Phone number: | 01772 561871 |
| Open Mic Night: | Tuesdays from 9pm |
| Want to perform? | Performance slots are available to claim on the night. |
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Thinking of attending your first open mic night? Here’s what to expect:
#7 Lucky 8’s Rock & Blues Bar: The Buskers’ Ball
The Buskers’ Ball Open Mic was started and is hosted by Alec Martin. It started around 25 years ago and was one of the oldest open mics in the North West.
At the moment, it’s run every Sunday afternoon at Lucky 8’s Rock and Blues Bar in Chorley. There you’ll find a quality Bose PA, guitar/Cajon are provided, but they encourage people to bring their instruments, as a guitar is very much part of an artist’s ‘sound’. Performances are also videoed which would be some great promo material for your portfolio.
The Buskers’ Ball is open to beginners and pros. Artists range from classical pianists to singer-songwriters, to comedians to an erotic hula hoop artist.
When The Buskers’ Ball was in Bolton, Danny Jones learned his craft there, and they even had McFly popping in for an acoustic set!
The venue is a small bikers’ bar in Chorley and the session takes place in the main bar. The sessions are on the second Sunday of each month from around 3pm to 7pm. It’s better to book a spot by contacting Alec on Facebook, but the finish time is flexible, so they can fit most people in if they turn up unannounced.
| Venue location: | Lucky 8s Rock & Blues Bar – 8 Cheapside, Chorley, Lancashire PR7 2EX |
| Phone number: | 07788 523944 |
| Open Mic Night: | 2nd Sunday of the month, 3-7pm |
| Want to perform? | Book in advance through Alec, or just turn up |
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#8 The Continental: Open Mic Night
The open mic night at The Continental (also known as ‘New Continental’) is one of the friendliest, most supportive nights in town.
Whether you sing, play guitar, or do stand-up or spoken word, head down and pick up the mic at one of the jams with new hosts James & Typhaine.
If you don’t want to play straight away, make sure to go along and sample some of Preston’s music scene for yourself.
| Venue location: | The Continental – South Meadow Lane, Preston, Lancashire PR1 8JP |
| Phone number: | 01772 499425 |
| Open Mic Night: | First Thursday of the month, 8:30pm |
| Want to perform? | Turn up and play. |
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#9 The Ferret: Open Mic Night
Occurring every Wednesday, the nights here are hosted by various guest local artists and bands. Having a different host every week makes sure that this open mic is kept lively and spontaneous for everyone involved.
Head down to this one if you’re interested in playing solo, jamming with a band, performing stand-up comedy, or showcasing your poetry.
A full backline is provided (excluding breakables), so bring down whatever extra kit you think you might need, this includes instruments.
| Venue location: | The Ferret – 55 Fylde Rd, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2XQ |
| Phone number: | 01772 200017 |
| Open Mic Night: | Wednesdays from 8pm |
| Want to perform? | Performance slots are available on the night. |
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#10 The Swan Inn: Open Mic
One of the many open mic nights hosted by Andrew Smith, The Swan Inn open mic has been running for about 4 years.
Get down there at 9pm, turn up and play. It’s run on a first-come, first-served basis and can get quite busy, but Andrew aims to provide a relaxed atmosphere for all.
The Swan gets a mix of professional musicians, people who do it just as a hobby and complete beginners. All styles of music including original material is welcome. Everybody gets treated with the same respect no matter what their standard.
Head downstairs and you’ll find a PA system and the acoustic guitars that are provided. People are also more than welcome to bring their equipment.
| Venue location: | Swan Inn – 18 Church St, Higher Walton, Preston, Lancashire PR5 4DY |
| Phone number: | 07934 206936 |
| Open Mic Night: | Tuesdays from 9pm |
| Want to perform? | Just turn up and play. |
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Bonus Open Mics in Preston
The Pleasant Retreat: Open Mic
The final night hosted by Andrew Smith, this a relatively new open mic that’s been running for 9 months now.
Head down for 9pm and just turn up and play. It’s run on a first-come, first-served basis, and it can get fairly busy some nights, so get down early.
The Pleasant Retreat gets a wide range of abilities, so everyone’s welcome. Every musical genre including original material are permitted. Everybody gets treated with the same respect no matter what their musical ability is.
At the Pleasant Retreat, go downstairs and you’ll find a PA system and the acoustic guitars that are provided. You can also bring your equipment if you want your specific sound.
| Venue location: | The Pleasant Retreat – 2 Watkin Ln, Lostock Hall, Preston, Lancashire PR5 5RD |
| Phone number: | 07934 206936 |
| Open Mic Night: | Thursdays from 9pm |
| Want to perform? | Just turn up and play. |
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Lostock Hall Conservative Club: Open Mic
If you’re looking for a great way to spend your Sunday, check out the open mic at Lostock Hall Conservative Club.
All singers and musicians are welcome to this one, all genres are welcome too.
Head down to Lostock Hall Conservative Club for free sandwiches, cakes, a raffle, and some great music to end your week.
| Venue location: | Lostock Hall Conservative Club – Brownedge Rd, Lostock Hall, Preston, Lancashire PR5 5AA |
| Phone number: | 01772 335379 |
| Open Mic Night: | 3rd Sunday of the month, 8pm |
| Want to perform? | Just turn up on the night |
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Ever considered hosting your own open mic night?
The Speakeasy: Open Mic
Finally on our list we have the open mic at The Speakeasy. This open mic happens fairly sporadically, so make sure not to miss it when it happens.
Usually hosted by Fitzsy, these nights can coincide with specific events (such as father’s day) or just random nights throughout the year.
It always has a supportive atmosphere whenever you go. Keep up to date with their events here.
| Venue location: | The Speakeasy – 53a Fylde Rd, Preston, Lancashire PR1 2XQ |
| Phone number: | 01772 823771 |
| Open Mic Night: | Sporadic days, every month or so, 8pm |
| Want to perform? | Simply turn up on the night and play |
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So now you know where to perform in Preston there are no excuses for not getting out there and performing!