The Hope & Ruin is one of Brighton's best-loved grassroots music venues, a 150-capacity room above a busy independent pub at 11-12 Queen's Road (BN1 3WA). It supports live music 364 days a year — everything from local bands starting out to international touring artists across rock, alternative, indie, punk and folk — plus DJs, poetry nights, quizzes and late club sessions. A free open mic runs every Monday, and the whole operation runs on a fiercely DIY, plant-based ethic (all bar products are vegan, with Beelzebab serving food from the corner). A genuine cornerstone of the city's independent scene.
Brighton · Every Monday · No fee listed
The Hope & Ruin Open Mic
Brighton's Monday-night free open mic at 11-12 Queen's Road, BN1 3WA — DIY-scene venue, full backline, in-house engineer, 10-minute slots.
Next night: Mon 16 Nov. Kick-off 20:00, sign-up from 19:30. 10-minute slots. No fee listed.
Nearby open micsUpdated 13 November 2026
At a glance
Checked 10 Sept 202620:00
Kick-off
Mondays
sign-up from 19:30Mondays
| Night | Every Monday |
| Sign-up | 19:30 walk-in |
| Slot | 10 min |
| Entry | No fee listed · 18+ |
| Backline | Full backline |
01 — Inside the room
4 photosPhotos: Google
171
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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 | c. 150 standing |
| Performer types | Musicians · Poets |
| Website | hope.pub |
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 MondayHow the night runs
20:00
Kick-off
MondaysRunning order
19:30 Sign-up· Walk-in
20:00 Kick-off· 10-minute slots
23:30 Last songs
04 — Find The Hope & Ruin
BrightonGetting there
11-12 Queen's Road,
Brighton BN1 3WA
Brighton BN1 3WA
The nearest station is Brighton (rail station), about 5 minutes' walk away.
05 — What's on stage
6 provided| PA system | Provided |
| Drum kit | Provided |
| Guitar amp | Provided |
| Bass amp | Provided |
| Keys / keyboard | Bring your own |
| 4 vocal mics | Provided |
| In-house engineer | Provided |
06 — About
BrightonAbout the night
The Hope & Ruin is Brighton's DIY-scene HQ — punk gigs upstairs, vegan kitchen downstairs, vegetarian late licence. The Monday open mic uses the upstairs stage and pulls a younger, scrappier crowd than the seafront mics.
210 minutes, around 20 acts at 10 minutes — high-tempo, lots of acts, short turnover. Sound engineer is on full duty.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the upstairs bar at 7:30pm. First-come first-served.
Getting there
11-12 Queen's Road, BN1 3WA. 3 minutes from Brighton Rail. All central buses pass on West Street.
The venue
Pub downstairs (vegan kitchen), gig room upstairs. 18+ strictly. Capacity c. 150 standing. Late licence to 1am.
The Hope & Ruin is one of Brighton's best-loved grassroots music venues, a 150-capacity room above a busy independent pub at 11-12 Queen's Road (BN1 3WA). It supports live music 364 days a year — everything from local bands starting out to international touring artists across rock, alternative, indie, punk and folk — plus DJs, poetry nights, quizzes and late club sessions. A free open mic runs every Monday, and the whole operation runs on a fiercely DIY, plant-based ethic (all bar products are vegan, with Beelzebab serving food from the corner). A genuine cornerstone of the city's independent scene.
Played here before?One tap
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This night - and this page - is yours.
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 |
Brighton · Every Monday
The Hope & Ruin Open Mic
Brighton's Monday-night free open mic at 11-12 Queen's Road, BN1 3WA — DIY-scene venue, full backline, in-house engineer, 10-minute slots.
- Monday
- Open mic night
- Apr 2026
- Listed since
- 10 Sept
- Last checked
- No fee
- Entry
- 10 min
- Slot length
- Community
- Listing status
Run a Brighton open mic? List it free — reviewed before it goes live
Last updated: 13 November 2026
The Hope & Ruin Open Mic — Quick Facts
The Hope & Ruin Open Mic runs on Mondays at The Hope & Ruin in Brighton, starting at 20:00 with sign-up from 19:30. Below: when it runs, sign-up and slots, the stage kit and how to get there.
Open mic status Last checked 10 Sept 2026
How sure we are
Partly verified
The night starts at 20:00 and runs to about 23:30. It's walk-in sign-up, with the list opening at 19:30 - arrive early to get a slot. Slots run about 10 minutes - room for roughly 21 acts. With full backline listed, you need little more than your instrument and pedals.
Next nightMon 16 Nov · 20:00Starts in 3d 12h 21m
Age18+
Sign-upWalk-in on the night
Capacityc. 150 standing
Who playsMusicians · Poets
BacklineFull backline
Sound engineerIn-house, included
Directory statusBeing verified
Member votes0 to get the venue on GigXchange
Websitehope.pub
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.
NightMondayEvery MondayNext: Mon 16 Nov
Starts20:00until 23:30
Sign-up19:30Walk-in
Slots10minutes eachRoom for about 21 acts
What’s on in Brighton this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About This Open Mic
The Hope & Ruin is Brighton's DIY-scene HQ — punk gigs upstairs, vegan kitchen downstairs, vegetarian late licence. The Monday open mic uses the upstairs stage and pulls a younger, scrappier crowd than the seafront mics.
210 minutes, around 20 acts at 10 minutes — high-tempo, lots of acts, short turnover. Sound engineer is on full duty.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the upstairs bar at 7:30pm. First-come first-served.
Getting there
11-12 Queen's Road, BN1 3WA. 3 minutes from Brighton Rail. All central buses pass on West Street.
The venue
Pub downstairs (vegan kitchen), gig room upstairs. 18+ strictly. Capacity c. 150 standing. Late licence to 1am.
The kit on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA systemProvided
Drum kitProvided
Guitar ampProvided
Bass ampProvided
Keys / keyboardBring your own
4 vocal micsProvided
In-house engineerProvided
The Night at a Glance
How The Hope & Ruin’s Monday night runs.
Next nightMon 16 Nov · 20:00Starts in 3d 12h 21m
Sign-up opens19:30Walk-in on the night
Kick-off20:00Every Monday
Music ends23:30Last act finishes
Slots10minutes eachroom for about 21 acts
How often
Every Monday
Coming up
Mon 16 Nov · Mon 23 Nov · Mon 30 Nov
Kit
The Hope & Ruin provides a PA system, 4 vocal mics, a drum kit, a guitar amp, a bass amp and an in-house sound engineer; bring your own keys.
First time here?
Arrive for 19:30 to get your name on the list, tune up before you go on, and plan a set that fits 10 minutes.
Find The Hope & Ruin
11-12 Queen's Road, Brighton BN1 3WA
Address11-12 Queen's Road
AreaBrighton
PostcodeBN1 3WA
DirectionsOpen in Google Maps →
Getting there
The nearest station is Brighton (rail station), about 5 minutes' walk away. You'll find The Hope & Ruin in Brighton; BN1 3WA is the postcode for sat-nav and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station.
Open mics nearby
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
Planning Your Monday Night
Be there by 19:30 to put your name down. The open mic runs until about 23:30. Full backline is provided — just bring your instrument and pedals.
The scene Live music in Brightonthe venues, the gigs and where it happensGet gigs How to get gigs in Brightonpay, venues that book, how to pitchBands Find a band in Brightonacts to book or play alongsideGigs Upcoming gigs in Brightonevery listing, sorted by dateArtists Browse artist profilesfind acts to play or collaborate withOpen mics UK Open Mic Finderfree stage time, night by night
What should you charge for a paid gig? Most open mic musicians are ready sooner than they think — try the Rate Calculator for live UK rates by role, city and venue size. In the wider Brighton live music scene.
Common Questions
9 questions people ask before going to Brighton's The Hope & Ruin 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.
Full backline: drum kit, guitar amp, bass amp, PA and vocal mics, plus an in-house sound engineer. Bring your own instrument and pedals.
10 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
No entry fee is listed for The Hope & Ruin's open mic - most open mics are free to play and to watch, but check with the venue before you go. Browse Brighton open mics.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
11-12 Queen's Road, Brighton BN1 3WA.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Brighton regulars across the Brighton open mic scene. Brighton open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
The nearest station is Brighton (rail station), about 5 minutes' walk away. For sat-nav and taxis, the postcode is BN1 3WA. (Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport, Open Government Licence.)
Sign-up is walk-in on the night, from 19:30, so you do not need to book ahead. GigXchange doesn't publish venue phone numbers or emails - the venue's own website is linked on this page. Browse other Brighton open mics.
What’s On at The Hope & Ruin
The gigs coming up at The Hope & Ruin besides the open mic, from the GigXchange directory — each one links its listing.
NOV
14
The Zac Schulze Gang
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
15
MX LONELY
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreAlternative Rock
View details›
NOV
21
Rosalie Cunningham
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
25
The Sick Man Of Europe
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreAlternative Rock
View details›
JAN
16
Cowboy Hunters
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Punk Rock
View details›
JAN
28
Keywest
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
FEB
12
Our Man In the Field
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Folk
View details›
FEB
17
The Buoys
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Alternative Rock
View details›
NOV
14
The Zac Schulze Gang
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
15
MX LONELY
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreAlternative Rock
View details›
NOV
21
Rosalie Cunningham
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
25
The Sick Man Of Europe
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreAlternative Rock
View details›
JAN
16
Cowboy Hunters
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Punk Rock
View details›
JAN
28
Keywest
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
FEB
12
Our Man In the Field
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Folk
View details›
FEB
17
The Buoys
Brighton
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Alternative Rock
View details›
08 — Keep up with Brighton
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The Hope & Ruin open mic in brief. The Hope & Ruin open mic runs every Monday from 20:00 (no fee listed); sign-up opens 19:30 and slots run about 10 minutes. Coming back with a full band? The Hope & Ruin’s venue page has its kit and capacity listed. The open mics near Brighton are listed by day, for another night this week.
Booking or playing in Brighton? 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 Brighton open mics
All ›Want paid gigs instead of open mics? See Brighton gigs or check the going rate.
10 — What's on at The Hope & Ruin
All ›
The Zac Schulze GangSaturday, 14 November 2026
MX LONELYSunday, 15 November 2026
Rosalie CunninghamSaturday, 21 November 2026
The Sick Man Of EuropeWednesday, 25 November 2026Cowboy HuntersSaturday, 16 January 2027The Zac Schulze GangSaturday, 14 November 2026MX LONELYSunday, 15 November 2026Rosalie CunninghamSaturday, 21 November 2026The Sick Man Of EuropeWednesday, 25 November 2026Cowboy HuntersSaturday, 16 January 2027More dates at The Hope & Ruin: Keywest, Our Man In the Field and The Buoys.
Rooms near The Hope & Ruin: The Brighton Centre, Alphabet Brighton, Ancient Mariner, Artista Cafe and Gallery, Audioactive Worthing, Bali Brasserie, Bar Medusa, Bar Orange, Barbara's Bier Haus Brighton, Bohemia Brighton, Bom-Bane's and Brighton Electric.
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