Bedford Esquires is one of the UK's most-loved independent grassroots music venues, at 60A Bromham Road in Bedford town centre (MK40 2QG). It's a three-room venue — the 300-capacity Main Stage upstairs plus smaller spaces including Holy Molys (around 180) and a bar — each programming something different, from indie and rock to electronica, metal, jazz, hip-hop and folk. Totally independent and a long-standing fixture of the local scene, it gives both touring and emerging original acts a home.
Bedford · Every Wednesday · No fee listed
Bedford Esquires - Music Venue Open Mic
Bedford open mic at Bedford Esquires - Music Venue — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
Next night: Wed 18 Nov. Kick-off 20:30. No fee listed.
Nearby open micsUpdated 13 November 2026
At a glance
Checked 25 Oct 202620:30
Kick-off
Wednesdays
sign-up on the nightWednesdays
| Night | Every Wednesday |
| Sign-up | Ask the host |
| Slot | Ask the host |
| Entry | No fee listed · 18+ |
| Backline | Full backline |
01 — Inside the room
4 photosPhotos: Google
201
page views on GigXchange. Is it your night?
0 members voted to bring the venue onto GigXchange02 — The details
Before you goEverything you need to know
0
Member votes
votes to get this venue on GigXchange
| Capacity | – |
| Performer types | Musicians |
The check
| Status | Being verified |
Help keep this trueOne tap
Is this night still on?
No sign-up. We review corrections within 7 days.
03 — The night
Every WednesdayHow the night runs
20:30
Kick-off
WednesdaysRunning order
20:30 Kick-off
23:30 Close (tbc)
Times marked tbc aren't confirmed yet - we're working to find out.
04 — Find Bedford Esquires - Music Venue
BedfordGetting there
60A Bromham Rd,
Bedford MK40 2QG
Bedford MK40 2QG
The nearest station is Bedford (rail station), about 10 minutes' walk away.
05 — What's on stage
7 provided| PA system | Provided |
| Drum kit | Provided |
| Guitar amp | Provided |
| Bass amp | Provided |
| Keys / keyboard | Provided |
| 2 vocal mics | Provided |
| In-house engineer | Provided |
06 — About
BedfordAbout the night
Bedford Esquires on Bromham Road is one of the UK's most-loved independent grassroots venues, going strong since 1990 across three rooms. Its open-mic spot is the popular Wednesday-night Jam Session in the bar, hosted by Mat Roberts, with full backline supplied — PA, drums, guitar and bass amps — so just bring an instrument and join in. There's no sign-up sheet: simply introduce yourself to Mat and let him know you'd like to play. The venue also puts on free live music most Fridays and Saturdays plus its legendary Sunday Sessions.
Bedford Esquires is one of the UK's most-loved independent grassroots music venues, at 60A Bromham Road in Bedford town centre (MK40 2QG). It's a three-room venue — the 300-capacity Main Stage upstairs plus smaller spaces including Holy Molys (around 180) and a bar — each programming something different, from indie and rock to electronica, metal, jazz, hip-hop and folk. Totally independent and a long-standing fixture of the local scene, it gives both touring and emerging original acts a home.
Played here before?One tap
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What you get | 01 | Correct the day, time and sign-up |
| 02 | Edit your profile and photos |
| 03 | Receive artist enquiries |
| 04 | Update backline and capacity |
Bedford · Every Wednesday
Bedford Esquires - Music Venue Open Mic
Bedford open mic at Bedford Esquires - Music Venue — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
- Wednesday
- Open mic night
- Apr 2026
- Listed since
- 25 Oct
- Last checked
- No fee
- Entry
- —
- Sign-up time
- Community
- Listing status
Run a Bedford open mic? List it free — reviewed before it goes live
Last updated: 13 November 2026
Bedford Esquires - Music Venue Open Mic — Quick Facts
Bedford Esquires - Music Venue Open Mic runs on Wednesdays at Bedford Esquires - Music Venue in Bedford, starting at 20:30. Below: when it runs, sign-up and slots, the stage kit and how to get there.
Open mic status Last checked 25 Oct 2026
How sure we are
Partly verified
Was this open mic on recently? · 10 seconds, no signup See Bedford Esquires - Music Venue’s venue page →
Music starts around 20:30. With full backline listed, you need little more than your instrument and pedals.
Next nightWed 18 Nov · 20:30Starts in 5d 12h 49m
Age18+
BacklineFull backline
Sound engineerIn-house, included
Directory statusBeing verified
Member votes0 to get the venue on GigXchange
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. We review corrections within 7 days.
NightWednesdayEvery WednesdayNext: Wed 18 Nov
Starts20:30start time
Sign-upTBCsign-upNot confirmed yet
SlotsTBCslot lengthNot confirmed yet
What’s on in Bedford this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About This Open Mic
Bedford Esquires on Bromham Road is one of the UK's most-loved independent grassroots venues, going strong since 1990 across three rooms. Its open-mic spot is the popular Wednesday-night Jam Session in the bar, hosted by Mat Roberts, with full backline supplied — PA, drums, guitar and bass amps — so just bring an instrument and join in. There's no sign-up sheet: simply introduce yourself to Mat and let him know you'd like to play. The venue also puts on free live music most Fridays and Saturdays plus its legendary Sunday Sessions.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA systemProvided
Drum kitProvided
Guitar ampProvided
Bass ampProvided
Keys / keyboardProvided
2 vocal micsProvided
In-house engineerProvided
The Night at a Glance
How Bedford Esquires - Music Venue’s Wednesday night runs.
Next nightWed 18 Nov · 20:30Starts in 5d 12h 49m
Sign-up opensTBCNot confirmed yet
Kick-off20:30Every Wednesday
Music endsTBCNot confirmed yet
Venue closesTBCNot confirmed yet
How often
Every Wednesday
Coming up
Wed 18 Nov · Wed 25 Nov · Wed 2 Dec
Kit
Bedford Esquires - Music Venue provides a PA system, 2 vocal mics, a drum kit, a guitar amp, a bass amp, keys and an in-house sound engineer.
First time here?
Arrive early to get your name on the list, tune up before you go on.
Find Bedford Esquires - Music Venue
60A Bromham Rd, Bedford MK40 2QG
Address60A Bromham Rd
AreaBedford
PostcodeMK40 2QG
DirectionsOpen in Google Maps →
Getting there
The nearest station is Bedford (rail station), about 10 minutes' walk away. Bedford Esquires - Music Venue is in Bedford — use MK40 2QG for sat-nav, taxis and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station before you set off.
Open mics nearby
Brewpoint Taproom & Brewery, The Cellar Bar, The Castle and The Wellington Arms
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
Planning Your Wednesday Night
Arrive early to sign up for a slot. Full backline is provided — just bring your instrument and pedals.
The scene Live music in Bedfordthe venues, the gigs and where it happensGet gigs How to get gigs in Bedfordpay, venues that book, how to pitchBands Find a band in Bedfordacts to book or play alongsideGigs Upcoming gigs in Bedfordevery listing, sorted by dateArtists Browse artist profilesfind acts to play or collaborate withOpen mics UK Open Mic Finderfree stage time, night by night
How much should paid gigs pay you? Most open mic musicians are ready sooner than they think — try the Rate Calculator for live UK rates by role, city and venue size. Part of the Bedford live music scene.
Common Questions
9 things people want to know before Bedford's Bedford Esquires - Music Venue open mic.
Sign-up via the venue. See all Bedford open mic nights.
Full backline: drum kit, guitar amp, bass amp, PA and vocal mics, plus an in-house sound engineer. Bring your own instrument and pedals.
Slot length varies — check with the host.
No entry fee is listed for Bedford Esquires - Music Venue's open mic - most open mics are free to play and to watch, but check with the venue before you go. Browse Bedford open mics.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
60A Bromham Rd, Bedford MK40 2QG.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Bedford regulars across the Bedford open mic scene. Bedford open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
The nearest station is Bedford (rail station), about 10 minutes' walk away. For sat-nav and taxis, the postcode is MK40 2QG. (Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport, Open Government Licence.)
GigXchange doesn't publish venue phone numbers or emails. Browse other Bedford open mics.
What’s On at Bedford Esquires - Music Venue
The gigs coming up at Bedford Esquires - Music Venue besides the open mic, from the GigXchange directory — each one links its listing.
NOV
13
Gary Stewart presents ‘Graceland – 40th Anniversary Show’
Bedford
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
20
Give Me Garage Presents Underground Alliance
Cambridge
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreGarage
View details›
NOV
21
Corto.Alto
Cambridge
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
27
Mad Dog McRea
Bedford
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
27
Republica + Trampolene
Bedford
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
28
Scott Lavene
Bedford
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
DEC
2
Skids + Theatre Of Hate
Cambridge
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
DEC
2
The Skids, Theatre of Hate
Bedford
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Alternative Rock, Pop
View details›
NOV
13
Gary Stewart presents ‘Graceland – 40th Anniversary Show’
Bedford
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
20
Give Me Garage Presents Underground Alliance
Cambridge
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreGarage
View details›
NOV
21
Corto.Alto
Cambridge
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
27
Mad Dog McRea
Bedford
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
27
Republica + Trampolene
Bedford
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
28
Scott Lavene
Bedford
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
DEC
2
Skids + Theatre Of Hate
Cambridge
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
DEC
2
The Skids, Theatre of Hate
Bedford
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Alternative Rock, Pop
View details›
08 — Keep up with Bedford
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See what’s on in Bedford over the next four weeks →
Bedford Esquires - Music Venue open mic in brief. The Bedford Esquires - Music Venue open mic runs every Wednesday from 20:30 (no fee listed). Bedford Esquires - Music Venue’s venue page has its kit and capacity if you want to come back with a full band. For another night this week, the open mics near Bedford are listed by day.
Booking or playing in Bedford? The GX Index publishes what UK gigs actually pay, by city, band size and venue type, and the GX Index reports set out the methodology and the sample behind every figure. Both are free to read and free to cite.
Keep exploring: the UK gig directory for what's coming up, the venue directory for rooms that book live music, the open mic finder for recurring stage time, and what's on across the UK this week. The blog covers pricing, contracts and getting booked, and about GigXchange explains who runs it and why. Something not right on this page? Tell us — or start on the home page.
09 — More Bedford open mics
All ›After paid gigs rather than open mics? See Bedford gigs or check the going rate.
10 — What's on at Bedford Esquires - Music Venue
All ›
Gary Stewart presents ‘Graceland – 40th Anniversary Show’Friday, 13 November 2026
Give Me Garage Presents Underground AllianceFriday, 20 November 2026
Corto.AltoSaturday, 21 November 2026
Mad Dog McReaFriday, 27 November 2026Republica + TrampoleneFriday, 27 November 2026Gary Stewart presents ‘Graceland – 40th Anniversary Show’Friday, 13 November 2026Give Me Garage Presents Underground AllianceFriday, 20 November 2026Corto.AltoSaturday, 21 November 2026Mad Dog McReaFriday, 27 November 2026Republica + TrampoleneFriday, 27 November 2026More dates at Bedford Esquires - Music Venue: Scott Lavene, Skids + Theatre Of Hate and The Skids, Theatre of Hate.
Rooms near Bedford Esquires - Music Venue: Bedford Park, Brewpoint Taproom & Brewery, The Cellar Bar, The Eagle Bookshop, The Standard, The Three Cups, The Wellington Arms, Bedford Corn Exchange, St John's Arms, The Bedford Arms, The Castle and The Flower Pot.
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