The Deaf Institute Open Mic

Name: Open Mic at The Deaf Institute
Location: The Deaf Institute

The Deaf Institute Open Mic — Quick Facts

Manchester's Thursday-night free open mic at 135 Grosvenor Street, M1 7HE — converted institute, full backline including piano, 10-minute slots.

✓ Verified active Last verified 28 Apr 2026 Source: thedeafinstitute.co.uk + venue confirmation

The Details

Everything you need before you turn up

DayThursday

Start8pm

Sign-up7:30pm walk-in

Slot length10 min

EntryFree · 18+

Capacity~250 standing

Performer typesMusic

Sound engineerIn-house, included

Where

The Deaf Institute 135 Grosvenor Street
University
Manchester M1 7HE

Contact

Walk-in sign-up only
No advance booking
Host: in-house team

Highlights

Free entry

Full backlineIn-house engineer

Music18+Walk-in

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

PA + monitors

Drum kit

Guitar amp

Bass amp

Keys / keyboard

3 vocal mics

In-house engineer

The Deaf Institute is a converted Victorian deaf-and-dumb institute turned music venue. Thursday open mic uses the upstairs stage.

180 minutes, 18 acts at 10 minutes.

Sign-up process

Sheet upstairs at 7:30pm. Walk-in.

Getting there

135 Grosvenor Street, M1 7HE. 12 minutes from Manchester Oxford Road.

The venue

Converted Victorian building. 18+. Capacity upstairs ~250.

Common Questions

Seven things people ask before turning up at Manchester's The Deaf Institute open mic.

How do I sign up to play at The Deaf Institute open mic?

Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 7:30pm. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. Backup options if you don't get on: other Manchester open mics the same week.

What backline does The Deaf Institute provide?

Full backline: drum kit, guitar amp, bass amp, vocal mics, plus an in-house sound engineer. Bring your own instrument and pedals. Want a similar setup elsewhere? Filter the open mic directory by “Full backline”.

How long is a slot at The Deaf Institute open mic?

10 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo or 4 for a band.

Is The Deaf Institute open mic free?

Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Manchester mics are free; browse the list.

Can I bring a band to The Deaf Institute open mic?

Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it. Once you've played a few of these, see our guide on how to get paid gigs in Manchester.

Where is The Deaf Institute?

135 Grosvenor Street, University, Manchester M1 7HE.

What's the audience like on a Thursday night?

Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Manchester regulars who turn up across the Manchester live music scene. Manchester open mic crowds tend to listen attentively — this isn't a chatter-over-the-music kind of night.