The Grain Barge is Bristol's much-loved floating pub and live-music venue — a 1936 cargo barge converted in 2007 by the Bristol Beer Factory, moored on Hotwell Road in Hotwells, opposite Spike Island with views of the SS Great Britain. Its intimate lower-deck 'Hold Bar' doubles as a function room hosting a programme of live music, comedy and arts events, with live music every Friday night from 8pm. Four cask ales (three Bristol Beer Factory, one guest) are pulled at the bar, and the upper deck serves as a sun-trap 'garden' over the harbour. A characterful, genuinely independent grassroots music spot on the water.
Bristol · Every other Wednesday · Free
Grain Barge Open Mic
Bristol open mic at Grain Barge — listed on Google Places. Schedule below pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
Open mic at a glance Grain Barge · Bristol
Wednesday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
13 Aug
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Community
Listing status
Run a Bristol open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
Grain Barge Open Mic — Quick Facts
Bristol open mic at Grain Barge — listed on Google Places. Schedule below pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayWednesday
Start19:00
Sign-up19:00 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
Grain BargeHotwell Rd
Bristol BS8 4RU
Bristol — 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.
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 Grain Barge
About This Open Mic
Every other Wednesday in Bristol
Kicks off at 19:00
Free entry for performers and audience
12-minute slots
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the Bristol open mic directory
The Night
The Grain Barge open mic is a Bristol institution — held aboard the Bristol Beer Factory's floating pub moored on Hotwell Road, it has run fortnightly since 2015. It's a friendly, encouraging Wednesday night for demoing new material and meeting other musicians, with two songs each and sign-up in person from 7pm. Best of all, every performer gets a free Bristol Beer Factory pint (or house wine), plus 10% off draught all night. All styles welcome.
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 Grain Barge’s Wednesday night runs.
19:00Sign-up
19:00Kick-off
23:00Venue closes
Every other Wednesday 12-min slots Free entry
Find Grain Barge
Hotwell Rd, Bristol BS8 4RU
Planning Your Wednesday Night
Arrive by 19:00 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.
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 Bristol's Grain Barge open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:00. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Bristol 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 Bristol mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
Hotwell Rd, Bristol BS8 4RU.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Bristol regulars across the Bristol open mic scene. Bristol open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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