Every Tuesday in Northern Quarter, Manchester
Kicks off at 19:00, sign-up from 18:30
Free entry for performers and audience
15-minute slots
Full backline on stage
Part of the Manchester open mic directory
Northern Quarter · Every Tuesday · Free
The Whiskey Jar Open Mic
Northern Quarter's tuesday-night free open mic at **The Whiskey Jar** — full backline, in-house sound engineer, walk-in sign-up from 6:30pm, 15-minute slots, all ages.
Open mic at a glance The Whiskey Jar · Manchester
Tuesday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
15 min
Slot length
Verified
Listing status
Plan your open mic night
Check the venue, or find more open mics in Manchester.
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Whiskey Jar Open Mic — Quick Facts
Northern Quarter's tuesday-night free open mic at **The Whiskey Jar** — full backline, in-house sound engineer, walk-in sign-up from 6:30pm, 15-minute slots, all ages.
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayTuesday
Start19:00
Sign-up18:30 walk-in
Slot length15 min
EntryFree · all ages
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerIn-house, included
Where
The Whiskey Jar14 Tariff Street
Northern Quarter
Manchester M1 2FF
Northern Quarter, Manchester — 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
Full backline on stage
In-house sound engineer
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
3 vocal mics
In-house engineer
About This Open Mic
The Night
The Whiskey Jar's upstairs bar hosts the Northern Quarter's longest-running open mic, every Tuesday AND Wednesday from 7pm. It's free to come in, grab a whisky and lend an ear to talent from across Manchester. To play, drop host Joe McAdam (aka Joe Bagpipes) a message ahead of time rather than just turning up cold. A characterful basement-bar room with a real focus on nurturing local musicians.
About The Whiskey Jar
The Whiskey Jar is the Northern Quarter's longest-running open-mic venue, set in a stunning Grade I-listed former textile mill at 14 Tariff Street, Manchester (M1 2FF). It's split over two floors — an informal upstairs and a basement dedicated to music events — and has built a national reputation as one of the best open mics in the UK. The critically acclaimed open mic runs every Tuesday and Wednesday from 7pm, free to come in and watch, and has been running for around 8 years. Full backline is set up — drum kit, guitar and bass amps and vocal mics — with sound handled at the desk, so full bands as well as solo acts can play. To register, performers contact the venue's open-mic organiser (Joe McAdam). Manchester's scene is built around the Northern Quarter circuit, so expect a mix of working musicians and curious locals week to week.
Planning Your Tuesday Night
Arrive by 18:30 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until late. Full backline is provided — just bring your instrument and pedals.
Part of the Manchester 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 Whiskey Jar
14 Tariff Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester M1 2FF
Common Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Manchester's The Whiskey Jar open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 18:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Manchester open mic nights for alternatives.
Full backline: drum kit, guitar amp, bass amp, vocal mics, plus an in-house sound engineer. Bring your own instrument and pedals.
15 minutes per act — typically 4 songs solo.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Manchester mics are free; browse the list.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
14 Tariff Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester M1 2FF.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Manchester regulars across the Manchester open mic scene. Manchester open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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