Every Sunday in Dalston, London
Kicks off at 21:30, sign-up from 21:00
Free entry for performers and audience
10-minute slots
Full backline on stage
Part of the London open mic directory
Dalston · Every Sunday · Free
Vortex Jazz Club Open Mic
Dalston's Sunday-night free jazz jam at 11 Gillett Square, N16 8AZ — flagship jazz venue, full backline including piano, 10-minute slots.
Open mic at a glance Vortex Jazz Club · London
Sunday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
10 min
Slot length
Verified
Listing status
Plan your open mic night
Check the venue, or find more open mics in London.
Last updated: 3 June 2026
Vortex Jazz Club Open Mic — Quick Facts
Dalston's Sunday-night free jazz jam at 11 Gillett Square, N16 8AZ — flagship jazz venue, full backline including piano, 10-minute slots.
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DaySunday
Start21:30
Sign-up21:00 walk-in
Slot length10 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacity~120 standing
Performer typesMusic · Jazz
Sound engineerIn-house, included
Where
Vortex Jazz Club11 Gillett Square
Dalston
London N16 8AZ
Dalston, London — 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, Jazz 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 Vortex is one of London's flagship working jazz clubs — paid bills most nights, Sunday late-jam is the open session. House piano and rhythm section drop in to back any singer or instrumentalist who steps up.
~2.5 hours, 15 acts at 10 minutes — though the format is loose; players form ad-hoc combos.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 9pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
11 Gillett Square, N16 8AZ. 6 minutes from Dalston Junction (Overground).
The venue
First-floor jazz club above the square. 18+. Capacity ~120 seated.
About Vortex Jazz Club
The Vortex Jazz Club at 11 Gillett Square, Dalston (N16 8AZ) is one of London's most respected independent jazz venues, hosting live performances seven nights a week and programming around 400 shows a year. The booking is deliberately wide-ranging — straightahead, big-band, contemporary, piano trio, vocal, free-improvisation, world-music, Gypsy/East European and folk-orientated jazz all feature, balancing the avant-garde with more accessible sounds. It's home to Mopomoso, the UK's longest-running improv night (fourth Sunday of the month), and supports emerging local talent alongside established international artists. The intimate room seats/stands around 120, with a house piano, full backline and an in-house sound engineer. Contact: 020 3337 0993, info@vortexjazz.co.uk.
Planning Your Sunday Night
Arrive by 21:00 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until 00:00. Full backline is provided — just bring your instrument and pedals.
Part of the London live music scene.
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11 Gillett Square, Dalston, London N16 8AZ
Common Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at London's Vortex Jazz Club open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 21:00. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other London 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.
10 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most London mics are free; browse the list.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
11 Gillett Square, Dalston, London N16 8AZ.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and London regulars across the London open mic scene. London open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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