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.
Everything you need before you turn up
Where
The Whiskey Jar
Northern Quarter
Manchester
Contact
Walk-in sign-up only
No advance booking
Host: in-house team
Highlights
What's on Stage
The Whiskey Jar runs an open mic every Tuesday in Northern Quarter, Manchester, starting at 7pm with free entry for performers and audience. Known for renowned. It's one of Manchester's regular weekly open-mic slots — listed across [public open-mic guides](https://ilovemanchester.com/best-open-mic-nights-manchester-free).
Sign-up opens at 6:30pm on a walk-in basis (no advance booking). Slots run 15-15 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo or 4 for a band. Full backline is set up: drum kit, guitar amp, bass amp, vocal mics, and an in-house sound engineer at the desk. Bring your own instrument and pedals.
Sign-up process
The sign-up sheet goes out at 6:30pm at the venue. Popular tuesdays fill within 30-60 minutes — arrive early if you want a guaranteed slot. There is no advance booking, no online sign-up, no email list — strictly walk-in.
What to expect
Manchester's open-mic scene is built around the Northern Quarter circuit; expect a mix of working musicians and curious locals. Full bands are welcome and the backline is set up for it — most weeks see a mix of solo songwriters, duos and 4-piece bands. The "Renowned" tag captures what regulars come back for week after week.
Find The Whiskey Jar
Northern Quarter, Manchester