The Louisiana is a legendary 140-capacity, family-run independent live-music venue on Wapping Road in Bristol's Harbourside (BS1 6UA), operating for over 35 years. A standing-only room with a 16+ policy, it has an outsized reputation for breaking new bands — Coldplay played here three times and Muse held a six-month residency — while continuing to champion new local talent alongside national headliners across indie, rock, alternative and blues. With a downstairs pub and the gig room above, it's one of the UK's best-loved small grassroots stages.
Bristol · Every Monday · No fee listed
The Louisiana Open Mic
Bristol's Monday-night free open mic at Wapping Road, BS1 6UA — Harbourside music pub, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
Next night: Mon 16 Nov. Kick-off 20:00. No fee listed.
Nearby open micsUpdated 13 November 2026
At a glance
Checked 11 Sept 202620:00
Kick-off
Mondays
sign-up on the nightMondays
| Night | Every Monday |
| Sign-up | Ask the host |
| Slot | Ask the host |
| Entry | No fee listed · 18+ |
| Backline | Full backline |
01 — Inside the room
4 photosPhotos: Google
198
page views on GigXchange. Is it your night?
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 |
| Website | thelouisiana.net |
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
20:00 Kick-off
23:00 Last songs
04 — Find The Louisiana
HarboursideGetting there
Wapping Road, Bathurst Terrace,
Harbourside, Bristol BS1 6UA
Harbourside, Bristol BS1 6UA
The nearest station is Bedminster (rail station), about 15 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 |
| 3 vocal mics | Provided |
| In-house engineer | Provided |
06 — About
Harbourside, BristolAbout the night
The Louisiana is a Bristol Harbourside music pub — Coldplay, Florence and the Machine, The Killers all played early gigs here. Monday open mic uses the upstairs stage.
180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet upstairs at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
Wapping Road, BS1 6UA. 12 minutes from Bristol Temple Meads.
The venue
Harbourside pub with upstairs venue. 18+. Capacity upstairs c. 150.
The Louisiana is a legendary 140-capacity, family-run independent live-music venue on Wapping Road in Bristol's Harbourside (BS1 6UA), operating for over 35 years. A standing-only room with a 16+ policy, it has an outsized reputation for breaking new bands — Coldplay played here three times and Muse held a six-month residency — while continuing to champion new local talent alongside national headliners across indie, rock, alternative and blues. With a downstairs pub and the gig room above, it's one of the UK's best-loved small grassroots stages.
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Harbourside · Every Monday
The Louisiana Open Mic
Bristol's Monday-night free open mic at Wapping Road, BS1 6UA — Harbourside music pub, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
- Monday
- Open mic night
- Apr 2026
- Listed since
- 11 Sept
- Last checked
- No fee
- Entry
- —
- Sign-up time
- Community
- Listing status
Run a Bristol open mic? List it free — reviewed before it goes live
Last updated: 13 November 2026
The Louisiana Open Mic — Quick Facts
The Louisiana Open Mic runs on Mondays at The Louisiana in Bristol, starting at 20:00. Bristol's Monday-night free open mic at Wapping Road, BS1 6UA — Harbourside music pub, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots. Below: when it runs, sign-up and slots, the stage kit and how to get there.
Open mic status Last checked 11 Sept 2026
How sure we are
Partly verified
Music starts around 20:00, finishing about 23:00. Full backline is listed, so you can travel light - bring your instrument, pedals and breakables.
Next nightMon 16 Nov · 20:00Starts in 3d 12h 21m
Age18+
Capacityc. 150 standing
BacklineFull backline
Sound engineerIn-house, included
Directory statusBeing verified
Member votes0 to get the venue on GigXchange
Websitethelouisiana.net
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 23:00
Sign-upTBCsign-upNot confirmed yet
SlotsTBCslot lengthNot confirmed yet
What’s on in Bristol this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About This Open Mic
The Louisiana is a Bristol Harbourside music pub — Coldplay, Florence and the Machine, The Killers all played early gigs here. Monday open mic uses the upstairs stage.
180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet upstairs at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
Wapping Road, BS1 6UA. 12 minutes from Bristol Temple Meads.
The venue
Harbourside pub with upstairs venue. 18+. Capacity upstairs c. 150.
Equipment and backline at this venue — what's on stage, verified regularly.
PA systemProvided
Drum kitProvided
Guitar ampProvided
Bass ampProvided
Keys / keyboardBring your own
3 vocal micsProvided
In-house engineerProvided
The Night at a Glance
How The Louisiana’s Monday night runs.
Next nightMon 16 Nov · 20:00Starts in 3d 12h 21m
Kick-off20:00Every Monday
Music ends · Venue closes23:00Last act finishes
How often
Every Monday
Coming up
Mon 16 Nov · Mon 23 Nov · Mon 30 Nov
Kit
The Louisiana provides a PA system, 3 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 early to get your name on the list, tune up before you go on.
Find The Louisiana
Wapping Road, Bathurst Terrace, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 6UA
AddressWapping Road, Bathurst Terrace
AreaHarbourside, Bristol
PostcodeBS1 6UA
DirectionsOpen in Google Maps →
Getting there
The nearest station is Bedminster (rail station), about 15 minutes' walk away. You'll find The Louisiana in Harbourside, Bristol; BS1 6UA is the postcode for sat-nav and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station.
Open mics nearby
Chepstow Club, The Bristol Fringe, The Jam Jar and Sidney & Eden
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
Planning Your Monday Night
Get there early to sign up for a slot. The open mic runs until about 23:00. Full backline is provided — just bring your instrument and pedals.
The scene Live music in Bristolthe venues, the gigs and where it happensGet gigs How to get gigs in Bristolpay, venues that book, how to pitchBands Find a band in Bristolacts to book or play alongsideGigs Upcoming gigs in Bristolevery listing, sorted by dateArtists Browse artist profilesfind acts to play or collaborate withOpen mics UK Open Mic Finderfree stage time, night by night
How much should paid gigs pay you? 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 Bristol live music scene.
Common Questions
9 things people ask before turning up at Bristol's The Louisiana open mic.
Sign-up via the venue. See all Bristol open mic nights.
Full backline: drum kit, guitar amp, bass amp, PA and vocal mics, plus an in-house sound engineer. Bring your own instrument and pedals.
Slot length varies — check with the host.
No entry fee is listed for The Louisiana's open mic - most open mics are free to play and to watch, but check with the venue before you go. Browse Bristol open mics.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
Wapping Road, Bathurst Terrace, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 6UA.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Bristol regulars across the Bristol open mic scene. Bristol open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
The nearest station is Bedminster (rail station), about 15 minutes' walk away. For sat-nav and taxis, the postcode is BS1 6UA. (Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport, Open Government Licence.)
GigXchange doesn't publish venue phone numbers or emails - the venue's own website is linked on this page. Browse other Bristol open mics.
What’s On at The Louisiana
The gigs coming up at The Louisiana besides the open mic, from the GigXchange directory — each one links its listing.
NOV
18
Sarah Julia, Josephine Illingworth
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Pop
View details›
NOV
24
Essy Sparrow
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreFolk
View details›
DEC
1
the north
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Pop
View details›
DEC
2
Cherryholt
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Alternative Rock
View details›
JAN
25
TV Priest
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock
View details›
FEB
11
Our Man In the Field
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Folk
View details›
FEB
12
Holy Coves Spring Tour 2027
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock
View details›
MAR
4
8lanco
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenrePop
View details›
NOV
18
Sarah Julia, Josephine Illingworth
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Pop
View details›
NOV
24
Essy Sparrow
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreFolk
View details›
DEC
1
the north
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Pop
View details›
DEC
2
Cherryholt
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Alternative Rock
View details›
JAN
25
TV Priest
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock
View details›
FEB
11
Our Man In the Field
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Folk
View details›
FEB
12
Holy Coves Spring Tour 2027
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock
View details›
MAR
4
8lanco
Bristol
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenrePop
View details›
08 — Keep up with Bristol
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The Louisiana open mic in brief. The Louisiana open mic runs every Monday from 20:00 (no fee listed). The Louisiana’s venue page has its kit and capacity if you want to come back with a full band. For another night this week, the open mics near Bristol are listed by day.
Booking or playing in Bristol? 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 Bristol open mics
All ›Looking for paid gigs, not open mics? See Bristol gigs or check the going rate.
10 — What's on at The Louisiana
All ›
Sarah Julia, Josephine IllingworthWednesday, 18 November 2026
Essy SparrowTuesday, 24 November 2026
the northTuesday, 1 December 2026
CherryholtWednesday, 2 December 2026TV PriestMonday, 25 January 2027Sarah Julia, Josephine IllingworthWednesday, 18 November 2026Essy SparrowTuesday, 24 November 2026the northTuesday, 1 December 2026CherryholtWednesday, 2 December 2026TV PriestMonday, 25 January 2027More dates at The Louisiana: Our Man In the Field, Holy Coves Spring Tour 2027 and 8lanco.
Rooms near The Louisiana: The Stable, Barrelhouse, Basement 45, Bristol Beacon, Bristol Strange Brew, Cafe Kino, Cat & Wheel, Chepstow Club, Crofters Rights, Cube Cinema, Document Bristol and El Rincón.
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