Exchange is a grassroots, community-owned, not-for-profit live-music venue at 72-73 Old Market Street in Bristol's Old Market district, next to the Stag & Hounds and a short walk from Castle Park. Opened in August 2012 by the team behind Bristol's Croft club nights, it became one of the UK's first community-owned venues after a 2018 share issue sold hundreds of shares to local supporters. It runs two performance spaces — a main upstairs hall of around 250 capacity and a refurbished basement stage holding roughly 100 — and is especially renowned for heavier and experimental programming (post-rock, math-rock, psych, punk, metal) that's regarded as unrivalled in the city. The 1975, Haim, George Ezra, Rag'n'Bone Man, Sleaford Mods and Four Tet all played here early on. Gigs are 14+ (under-18s accompanied); club nights and anything past 11pm are 18+.
Exchange Open Mic
Bristol open mic at Exchange — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
Last updated: 3 June 2026
Exchange Open Mic — Quick Facts
Bristol open mic at Exchange — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
Everything you need before you turn up
Where
Exchange72, 73 Old Market St
73 Old Market St
Bristol BS2 0EJ
73 Old Market St, Bristol — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Highlights
What’s on in Bristol this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About Exchange
About This Open Mic
The Night
Exchange is Bristol's first community-owned music venue — a 250-capacity gig room on Old Market Street run as a co-operative since January 2019. It's a busy programmed venue (gigs most nights across punk, indie, hardcore and everything between) but it does not currently run a recurring open mic: nothing on its own what's-on pages, and the last ticketed open mic traces back to 2022 via Headfirst. If an open mic returns it will appear at exchangebristol.com. Well worth knowing as a venue to gig at rather than a night to walk into with a guitar.
Getting there
72-73 Old Market St, Bristol BS2 0EJ.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
The Night at a Glance
How Exchange’s Wednesday night runs.
Find Exchange
72, 73 Old Market St, 73 Old Market St, Bristol BS2 0EJ
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 Bristol live music scene.
Common Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Bristol's Exchange open mic.
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