Every Friday in Reading
Kicks off at 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
12-minute slots
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the Reading open mic directory
Reading · Every Friday · Free
The Butler Open Mic
Reading open mic at The Butler — listed on Google Places. Schedule below pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
Open mic at a glance The Butler · Reading
Friday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Verified
Listing status
Plan your open mic night
Check the venue, or find more open mics in Reading.
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Butler Open Mic — Quick Facts
Reading open mic at The Butler — listed on Google Places. Schedule below pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayFriday
Start19:30
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic · Poetry · Comedy
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
Where
The Butler85-91 Chatham St
Reading RG1 7DS
Reading — 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
PA system provided
Walk-in sign-up
Music, Poetry, Comedy 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 Butler on Chatham Street is one of Reading's most welcoming open-mic spaces, and every Friday from 7:30pm it comes alive with music, poetry and comedy. Hosted by Nicole Allan, it's a genuinely non-judgemental room where everyone from first-timers to seasoned acts is welcome — acoustic singer-songwriters, bands, poets and comedians all share the floor. Free entry.
Getting there
85-91 Chatham St, Reading RG1 7DS.
About The Butler
The Butler at 85-91 Chatham Street is one of Reading's most popular pubs for live music (RG1 7DS), known for a welcoming atmosphere and a thriving scene of local talent and touring acts. Free live music plays every Friday and Saturday, and the pub runs a well-known open mic night that draws musicians from across Berkshire (hosted by Nicole Allan). Entry to gigs is always free — a genuine grassroots, PA-equipped room where covers and original acts share the stage.
Planning Your Friday Night
Arrive by 19:30 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until late. A PA is provided — bring your own instrument and amp.
Part of the Reading 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 The Butler
85-91 Chatham St, Reading RG1 7DS
Common Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Reading's The Butler open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Reading open mic nights for alternatives.
PA + vocal mic provided. BYO instrument and amp.
12 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Reading mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
85-91 Chatham St, Reading RG1 7DS.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Reading regulars across the Reading open mic scene. Reading open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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