The Bootlegger Brighton is a 1920s speakeasy-inspired cocktail bar tucked away on Middle Street, steps from the seafront (78 Middle Street, Brighton and Hove, BN1 1AL). Behind the exposed brick, Edison bulbs and Moonshine Bar downstairs, it runs a busy live-music programme — Jazz, Swing, Blues and Rock 'n' Roll bands and solo artists playing every week, plus regular open mic nights and jam sessions that even invite the audience up. With over 80 cocktails and a dance floor below, it's a lively, vintage-flavoured live room in the heart of Brighton.
Brighton and Hove · Every other Thursday · Free
The Bootlegger Open Mic
Brighton open mic at The Bootlegger — 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 Bootlegger · Brighton
Thursday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Verified
Listing status
Run a Brighton open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Bootlegger Open Mic — Quick Facts
Brighton open mic at The Bootlegger — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
✓ Verified activeLast verified
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayThursday
Start19:30
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
The Bootlegger78 Middle St, Brighton and Hove
Brighton and Hove
Brighton BN1 1AL
Brighton and Hove, Brighton — 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.
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 Bootlegger
About This Open Mic
Every other Thursday in Brighton and Hove, Brighton
Kicks off at 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
12-minute slots
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the Brighton open mic directory
The Night
The Bootlegger is a 1920s speakeasy-inspired cocktail bar just off Brighton's seafront on Middle Street, with a soundtrack of jazz, swing, blues and rock 'n' roll. Its open mic runs every other Thursday, with sign-ups from 7.30pm — whether you're new on the scene, a local artist trying out new songs, or stepping up to perform for the very first time, they want you on the mic. Free to play and free to watch, with a warm, vintage atmosphere.
Sign-up process
Walk in and sign up from 7.30pm on the night.
Getting there
78 Middle St, Brighton BN1 1AL.
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 Bootlegger’s Thursday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
19:30Kick-off
02:00Venue closes
Every other Thursday 12-min slots Free entry
Find The Bootlegger
78 Middle St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1AL
Planning Your Thursday 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 Brighton 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 Brighton's The Bootlegger open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Brighton 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 Brighton mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
78 Middle St, Brighton and Hove, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 1AL.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Brighton regulars across the Brighton open mic scene. Brighton open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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