Chaplins Bar on St Thomas Street hosts a long-running and genuinely popular open mic every Monday night from 8pm. It's a bring-your-own-instrument affair — turn up, plug in and play to the regulars and a friendly room of like-minded folk. Free entry, free to perform, and a proper local spot for getting your songs heard mid-week.
About Chaplins Bar
Chaplins Bar is a lively town-centre bar on St Thomas Street in Scarborough, recently refitted around a 1920s stage-and-screen theme. It's one of the few LGBTQ+ bars in the area and a genuine community space, with a strong entertainment line-up of cover bands, karaoke and drag. A really popular open mic runs every Monday night, where you're invited to bring yourself and your instrument and play to the room.
Planning Your Monday Night
Arrive by 20:00 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until 23:30. A PA is provided — bring your own instrument and amp.
What should you charge for paid gigs?Most open mic musicians are ready for paid work sooner than they think. Check live UK rates by role, city, and venue size.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Scarborough regulars across the Scarborough open mic scene. Scarborough open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.