The Old Duke Open Mic

Name: Open Mic at The Old Duke
Location: The Old Duke

The Old Duke Open Mic — Quick Facts

Bristol's Monday-night free jazz open mic at 45 King Street, BS1 4ER — historic jazz pub, full backline including piano, 12-minute slots.

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

The Details

Everything you need before you turn up

DayMonday

Start9pm

Sign-up8:30pm walk-in

Slot length12 min

EntryFree · 18+

Capacity~120 standing

Performer typesMusic · Jazz

Sound engineerIn-house, included

Where

The Old Duke 45 King Street
Old City
Bristol BS1 4ER

Contact

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

Highlights

Free entry

Full backlineIn-house engineer

MusicJazz18+Walk-in

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What's on Stage

PA + monitors

Drum kit

Guitar amp

Bass amp

Keys / keyboard

3 vocal mics

In-house engineer

The Old Duke is Bristol's primary jazz venue — live music every night since 1959. The Monday open mic is jazz-format: acts can join existing trios on stage, or come with their own group.

180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.

Sign-up process

Sheet at the bar at 8:30pm. Walk-in.

Getting there

45 King Street, BS1 4ER. 8 minutes from Bristol Temple Meads.

The venue

Stone-walled pub with a small stage. 18+. Capacity ~120.

Common Questions

Seven things people ask before turning up at Bristol's The Old Duke open mic.

How do I sign up to play at The Old Duke open mic?

Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 8:30pm. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. Backup options if you don't get on: other Bristol open mics the same week.

What backline does The Old Duke 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 Old Duke open mic?

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

Is The Old Duke open mic free?

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

Can I bring a band to The Old Duke 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 Bristol.

Where is The Old Duke?

45 King Street, Old City, Bristol BS1 4ER.

What's the audience like on a Monday night?

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