The Anvil is Bournemouth's premier rock bar and grassroots live-music venue, in the Lansdowne area on Holdenhurst Road near the station and the university halls. Decked out in rock-and-roll style, it pairs an extensive rock jukebox and rock DJ nights with regular live gigs spanning heavy metal, punk, alternative and classic rock, and stays open late (typically 5pm until the early hours). Alongside the music there is a pool table, a chill-out area and a big range of beers, ciders and over 100 spirits. With a small-room capacity it is an intimate, high-energy stage that is a fixture of the south-coast rock scene and a reliable home for original and covers bands alike.
15 Holdenhurst Road · Every Tuesday · Free
The Anvil Open Mic
Bournemouth's Tuesday-night free open mic at 78 Holdenhurst Road, BH8 8AE — independent music pub, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
Open mic at a glance The Anvil · Bournemouth
Tuesday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Community
Listing status
Run a Bournemouth open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Anvil Open Mic — Quick Facts
Bournemouth's Tuesday-night free open mic at 78 Holdenhurst Road, BH8 8AE — independent music pub, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayTuesday
Start20:00
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacityc. 150 standing
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerIn-house, included
View on map
Where
The Anvil78 Holdenhurst Road
15 Holdenhurst Road
Bournemouth BH8 8AE
15 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Highlights
Free entry for all
Full backline on stage
In-house sound engineer
Walk-in sign-up
Music welcome
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About The Anvil
About This Open Mic
Every Tuesday in 15 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth
Kicks off at 20:00, sign-up from 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
12-minute slots
Full backline on stage
Part of the Bournemouth open mic directory
The Night
The Anvil is Bournemouth's primary indie music pub. Tuesday open mic uses the back stage with full backline.
180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
78 Holdenhurst Road, BH8 8AE. 8 minutes from Bournemouth Rail.
The venue
Pub with back stage. 18+. Capacity c. 150.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA + monitors
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
3 vocal mics
In-house engineer
The Night at a Glance
How The Anvil’s Tuesday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
23:00Last songs
Every Tuesday 12-min slots Free entry
Find The Anvil
78 Holdenhurst Road, 15 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth BH8 8AE
Planning Your Tuesday Night
Arrive by 19:30 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until 23:00. Full backline is provided — just bring your instrument and pedals.
Part of the Bournemouth live music scene.
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Try the Rate CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Bournemouth's The Anvil open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Bournemouth 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.
12 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Bournemouth mics are free; browse the list.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
78 Holdenhurst Road, 15 Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth BH8 8AE.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Bournemouth regulars across the Bournemouth open mic scene. Bournemouth open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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