Every Wednesday in Southsea, Portsmouth
Kicks off at 20:00
Free entry for performers and audience
Slot length — we’re on it, no info yet
Gear & backline — we’re on it, no info yet
Part of the Portsmouth open mic directory
Southsea · Every Wednesday · Free
Lord John Russell Open Mic
Southsea's wednesday open mic.
Open mic at a glance Lord John Russell · Portsmouth
Wednesday
Open mic night
May 2026
Listed since
02 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
—
Sign-up time
Verified
Listing status
Plan your open mic night
Check the venue, or find more open mics in Portsmouth.
Last updated: 2 June 2026
Lord John Russell Open Mic — Quick Facts
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayWednesday
Start20:00
Sign-up walk-in
Slot length–
EntryFree · all ages
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
Where
Lord John RussellSouthsea
Portsmouth
Southsea, Portsmouth — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Contact
Walk-in sign-up only
No advance booking
Host: in-house team
Highlights
Free entry for all
Walk-in sign-up
Music welcome
How do you rate this open mic?One tap, no sign-up required.
Spotted something wrong with this listing?Closed, moved night, different start time? Let us know and we'll re-verify within 48 hours.
What's on Stage
Equipment and backline available at this venue. We verify and update this section regularly.
PA + monitors
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer
About This Open Mic
The Night
The Lord John Russell on Albert Road is a friendly, easy-going Southsea local that runs a weekly open mic on Wednesday evenings, alongside a packed week of quiz (Monday), karaoke (Friday/Saturday) and the odd cabaret night. It's a proper community pub with HD sports screens and a dog-friendly welcome, so expect a relaxed, chatty crowd rather than a hushed listening room. Live music is free to come along to — just turn up, sign in on the night, and the in-house PA does the rest.
About Lord John Russell
The Lord John Russell is a lively Craft Union community pub on busy Albert Road in Southsea, well regarded for its real ales and craft beer. It runs a packed entertainment programme — live music, quizzes, bingo, cabaret and DJs late into the night on Fridays and Saturdays. The interior has a flagstoned floor with a small raised, boarded deck used as a DJ booth, an open fire for colder nights and an expansive yet cosy garden for alfresco drinks and food. A friendly, characterful spot for live music and covers in the heart of Southsea's nightlife strip.
Planning Your Wednesday Night
Arrive early to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until late. Bring your own gear.
Part of the Portsmouth live music scene.
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.
Try the Rate CalculatorFind Lord John Russell
Southsea, Portsmouth
Common Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Portsmouth's Lord John Russell open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at . Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Portsmouth open mic nights for alternatives.
BYO PA, mics and instruments.
Slot length varies — check with the host.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Portsmouth mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
Southsea, Portsmouth.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Portsmouth regulars across the Portsmouth open mic scene. Portsmouth open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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