The Victoria is a characterful 19th-century city-centre pub and live-entertainment venue at 48 John Bright Street, Birmingham (B1 1BN), near the Alexandra Theatre, mixing cartoon art with Victoriana décor. Capacity is around 100. It runs entertainment through the week — a music-and-film quiz on Wednesdays at 7:30pm, live music on Thursdays, a DJ on Fridays and a club night on Saturdays — and also hosts comedy and burlesque. It's an LGBTQ+-friendly, pet-friendly room with a large drinks selection of handpicked wines, whiskies, cask ales and cocktails. A house PA and in-house engineer support performers, and both originals and covers are welcome.
City Centre · Every Thursday · Free
The Victoria Open Mic
Birmingham's Thursday-night free open mic at 48 John Bright Street, B1 1BN — historic city-centre pub, PA + guitar amp, 12-minute slots.
Open mic at a glance The Victoria · Birmingham
Thursday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
19 Sept
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Community
Listing status
Run a Birmingham open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Victoria Open Mic — Quick Facts
Birmingham's Thursday-night free open mic at 48 John Bright Street, B1 1BN — historic city-centre pub, PA + guitar amp, 12-minute slots.
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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. 100 standing
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
The Victoria48 John Bright Street
City Centre
Birmingham B1 1BN
City Centre, Birmingham — 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.
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About The Victoria
About This Open Mic
Every Thursday in City Centre, Birmingham
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 Birmingham open mic directory
The Night
The Victoria is on John Bright Street — Birmingham's music corridor. Thursday open mic in the back room.
180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
48 John Bright Street, B1 1BN. 3 minutes from New Street Station.
The venue
Pub with back music room. 18+. Capacity c. 100.
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 Victoria’s Thursday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
23:00Last songs
Every Thursday 12-min slots Free entry
Find The Victoria
48 John Bright Street, City Centre, Birmingham B1 1BN
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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham's The Victoria open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Birmingham 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 Birmingham mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
48 John Bright Street, City Centre, Birmingham B1 1BN.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Birmingham regulars across the Birmingham open mic scene. Birmingham open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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