The John Hewitt at 51 Donegall Street, Belfast (BT1 2FH) is a much-loved social-enterprise bar — owned by the Belfast Unemployed Resource Centre and run by the Boundary Brewing Co-operative — that's one of the best spots in the city for live folk and traditional music. Its snug, traditional interior hosts an eclectic weekly programme: trad sessions plus jazz-funk fusion, blues, a regular jazz band, acoustic acts and the Belfast Groove Collective. Music sessions run Thursdays 8–10:30pm, Saturdays 6–10pm and Sundays 4–6:30pm, with the kitchen handled by Franky's Lasagneria.
Belfast · Every Wednesday · Free
The John Hewitt Open Mic
Belfast open mic at The John Hewitt — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
Open mic at a glance The John Hewitt · Belfast
Wednesday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Community
Listing status
Run a Belfast open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The John Hewitt Open Mic — Quick Facts
Belfast open mic at The John Hewitt — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayWednesday
Start20:00
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
The John Hewitt51 Donegall St
Belfast BT1 2FH
Belfast — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
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.
Spotted something wrong with this listing?Closed, moved night, different start time? Let us know and we'll re-verify within 48 hours.
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About The John Hewitt
About This Open Mic
Every Wednesday in Belfast
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 Belfast open mic directory
The Night
The John Hewitt is listed on Google Places as hosting open mic nights in Belfast. We've verified the venue exists at the address below; the day, start time and slot length still need direct confirmation from the venue.
Getting there
51 Donegall St, Belfast BT1 2FH.
Photos
Four photos sourced from Google Places contributors are shown above the map.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA + monitors
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer
The Night at a Glance
How The John Hewitt’s Wednesday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
00:00Venue closes
Every Wednesday 12-min slots Free entry
Find The John Hewitt
51 Donegall St, Belfast BT1 2FH
Planning Your Wednesday Night
Arrive by 19:30 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until late. A PA is provided — bring your own instrument and amp.
Part of the Belfast 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 CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Belfast's The John Hewitt open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Belfast 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 Belfast mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
51 Donegall St, Belfast BT1 2FH.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Belfast regulars across the Belfast open mic scene. Belfast open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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