The Craftsman is a friendly Southend live-music room that runs a weekly open mic, live lounge and jam night every Thursday from 8pm. Performers get free drinks and an excellent sound system, with all levels welcome and newcomers actively encouraged. Standard kit includes an acoustic guitar, two mics and backing tracks, and you can request extras like a drum kit, electric guitar and amp, keyboard or cajon with a day's notice.
Southend · Every Thursday · Free
The Craftsman Open Mic
Southend's Thursday-night free open mic — craft beer bar.
Open mic at a glance The Craftsman · Southend
Thursday
Open mic night
May 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Community
Listing status
Run a Southend open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Craftsman Open Mic — Quick Facts
Southend's Thursday-night free open mic — craft beer bar.
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayThursday
Start20:00
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacityc. 50 standing
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
The CraftsmanAlexandra Street
Southend SS1 1BW
Southend — 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
PA system provided
Walk-in sign-up
Music welcome
How do you rate this open mic?One tap, no sign-up required.
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About The Craftsman
About This Open Mic
Every Thursday in Southend
Kicks off at 20:00, sign-up from 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
12-minute slots
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the Southend open mic directory
The Night
Thursday open mic runs weekly at this craft beer bar near Southend High Street.
Sign-up process Walk-in.
Getting there Alexandra Street, SS1 1BW. 5 minutes from Southend Central Rail.
The venue 18+. Capacity c. 50.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA + monitors
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
2 vocal mics
In-house engineer
The Night at a Glance
How The Craftsman’s Thursday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
23:00Last songs
Every Thursday 12-min slots Free entry
Find The Craftsman
Alexandra Street, Southend SS1 1BW
Planning Your Thursday Night
Arrive by 19:30 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until 23:00. A PA is provided — bring your own instrument and amp.
Part of the Southend live music scene.
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Try the Rate CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Southend's The Craftsman open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Southend open mic nights for alternatives.
PA + vocal mic provided. BYO instrument and amp.
12 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Southend mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
Alexandra Street, Southend SS1 1BW.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Southend regulars across the Southend open mic scene. Southend open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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