The Canteen at 80 Stokes Croft is a cornerstone of Bristol's grassroots scene (BS1 3QY), sustainably serving vegetarian food, Bristol booze and free live music. Opened in August 2009 to serve Hamilton House and the Stokes Croft community, it puts on free live music almost every night — bands play six nights a week and entry is free daily, with a small charge after 9:30pm on Friday and Saturday. The programme is genuinely eclectic, from open-mic hip-hop nights to Afrobeat, Latin jazz and folk. Around 90,000 people come to its gigs each year and over 300 artists and groups appear on its stage annually. A full-backline, sound-engineered room — one of Bristol's busiest small venues.
Stokes Croft · Every Sunday · Free
The Canteen Open Mic
Stokes Croft's Sunday-night free open mic at 80 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY — community-run venue, full backline including piano, 10-minute slots.
Open mic at a glance The Canteen · Bristol
Sunday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
10 min
Slot length
Community
Listing status
Run a Bristol open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Canteen Open Mic — Quick Facts
Stokes Croft's Sunday-night free open mic at 80 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY — community-run venue, full backline including piano, 10-minute slots.
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DaySunday
Start21:00
Sign-up20:30 walk-in
Slot length10 min
EntryFree · all ages
Capacityc. 200 standing
Performer typesMusic · Poetry
Sound engineerIn-house, included
View on map
Where
The Canteen80 Stokes Croft
Stokes Croft
Bristol BS1 3QY
Stokes Croft, Bristol — 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, Poetry welcome
How do you rate this open mic?One tap, no sign-up required.
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About The Canteen
About This Open Mic
Every Sunday in Stokes Croft, Bristol
Kicks off at 21:00, sign-up from 20:30
Free entry for performers and audience
10-minute slots
Full backline on stage
Part of the Bristol open mic directory
The Night
The Canteen is a community-run venue at the heart of Stokes Croft. Music every night of the week, free entry, and a Sunday open mic that pulls in Bristol's songwriting scene.
180 minutes, 18 acts at 10 minutes. Vegetarian and vegan kitchen. The piano on the stage is a real upright.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 8:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
80 Stokes Croft, BS1 3QY. 12 minutes' walk from Bristol Temple Meads. Buses 8, 9, 70, 71 stop directly outside.
The venue
Single big bar/restaurant room with a stage. All ages until 9pm, then 18+. Capacity c. 200.
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 Canteen’s Sunday night runs.
20:30Sign-up
21:00Kick-off
00:00Last songs
Every Sunday 10-min slots Free entry
Find The Canteen
80 Stokes Croft, Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3QY
Planning Your Sunday Night
Arrive by 20:30 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until 00:00. Full backline is provided — just bring your instrument and pedals.
Part of the Bristol live music scene.
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Seven things people ask before turning up at Bristol's The Canteen open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 20:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Bristol 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.
10 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Bristol mics are free; browse the list.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
80 Stokes Croft, Stokes Croft, Bristol BS1 3QY.
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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