The Hairy Dog is Derby's premier alternative live-music venue, a loud and proud independent room that has been shaking walls in the city centre since 2012. Upstairs is a 150-capacity live room with a full professional PA, stage lighting and crew, programming rock, punk, metal and alternative bands; the downstairs bar runs booked DJs every weekend taking requests. It is a true grassroots music den that welcomes original acts and touring bands alike. (NB: directory slug 'gv-mecca-bingo-derby' is a legacy identifier — the active business at this listing is The Hairy Dog at 1 Becket Street, DE1 1HT.)
Derby · Every Wednesday · No fee listed
The Hairy Dog Open Mic
Derby's Wednesday-night free open mic at 257 Becket Street, DE1 1HT — independent music pub, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
Next night: Wed 18 Nov. Kick-off 20:00. No fee listed.
Nearby open micsUpdated 13 November 2026
At a glance
Checked 18 Aug 202620:00
Kick-off
Wednesdays
sign-up on the nightWednesdays
| Night | Every Wednesday |
| Sign-up | Ask the host |
| Slot | Ask the host |
| Entry | No fee listed · 18+ |
| Backline | Full backline |
01 — Inside the room
4 photosPhotos: Google
201
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. 200 standing |
| Performer types | Musicians |
| Website | thehairydog.co.uk |
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 WednesdayHow the night runs
20:00
Kick-off
WednesdaysRunning order
20:00 Kick-off
23:00 Last songs
03:00 Venue closes
04 — Find The Hairy Dog
City CentreGetting there
257 Becket Street,
City Centre, Derby DE1 1HT
City Centre, Derby DE1 1HT
The nearest station is Derby (rail station), about 20 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
City Centre, DerbyAbout the night
The Hairy Dog is Derby's primary independent music venue. Wednesday open mic uses the main stage.
180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
257 Becket Street, DE1 1HT. 6 minutes from Derby Rail.
The venue
Mid-size music pub. 18+. Capacity c. 200.
The Hairy Dog is Derby's premier alternative live-music venue, a loud and proud independent room that has been shaking walls in the city centre since 2012. Upstairs is a 150-capacity live room with a full professional PA, stage lighting and crew, programming rock, punk, metal and alternative bands; the downstairs bar runs booked DJs every weekend taking requests. It is a true grassroots music den that welcomes original acts and touring bands alike. (NB: directory slug 'gv-mecca-bingo-derby' is a legacy identifier — the active business at this listing is The Hairy Dog at 1 Becket Street, DE1 1HT.)
Played here before?One tap
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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 |
City Centre · Every Wednesday
The Hairy Dog Open Mic
Derby's Wednesday-night free open mic at 257 Becket Street, DE1 1HT — independent music pub, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
- Wednesday
- Open mic night
- Apr 2026
- Listed since
- 18 Aug
- Last checked
- No fee
- Entry
- —
- Sign-up time
- Community
- Listing status
Run a Derby open mic? List it free — reviewed before it goes live
Last updated: 13 November 2026
The Hairy Dog Open Mic — Quick Facts
The Hairy Dog Open Mic runs on Wednesdays at The Hairy Dog in Derby, starting at 20:00. Below: when it runs, sign-up and slots, the stage kit and how to get there.
Open mic status Last checked 18 Aug 2026
How sure we are
Partly verified
Music starts around 20:00, finishing about 23:00. With full backline listed, you need little more than your instrument and pedals.
Next nightWed 18 Nov · 20:00Starts in 5d 12h 23m
Age18+
Capacityc. 200 standing
BacklineFull backline
Sound engineerIn-house, included
Directory statusBeing verified
Member votes0 to get the venue on GigXchange
Websitethehairydog.co.uk
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.
NightWednesdayEvery WednesdayNext: Wed 18 Nov
Starts20:00until 23:00
Sign-upTBCsign-upNot confirmed yet
SlotsTBCslot lengthNot confirmed yet
What’s on in Derby this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About This Open Mic
The Hairy Dog is Derby's primary independent music venue. Wednesday open mic uses the main stage.
180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
257 Becket Street, DE1 1HT. 6 minutes from Derby Rail.
The venue
Mid-size music pub. 18+. Capacity c. 200.
The kit on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, 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 Hairy Dog’s Wednesday night runs.
Next nightWed 18 Nov · 20:00Starts in 5d 12h 23m
Kick-off20:00Every Wednesday
Music ends23:00Last act finishes
Venue closes03:00The listed closing time
How often
Every Wednesday
Coming up
Wed 18 Nov · Wed 25 Nov · Wed 2 Dec
Kit
The Hairy Dog 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 Hairy Dog
257 Becket Street, City Centre, Derby DE1 1HT
Address257 Becket Street
AreaCity Centre, Derby
PostcodeDE1 1HT
DirectionsOpen in Google Maps →
Getting there
The nearest station is Derby (rail station), about 20 minutes' walk away. The Hairy Dog is in City Centre, Derby — use DE1 1HT for sat-nav, taxis and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station before you set off.
Open mics nearby
Blacksmiths Lounge, The Shakespeare, Bar One and The Brookfield
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
Planning Your Wednesday Night
Arrive early to get your name down. The open mic runs until about 23:00. Full backline is provided — just bring your instrument and pedals.
The scene Live music in Derbythe venues, the gigs and where it happensGet gigs How to get gigs in Derbypay, venues that book, how to pitchBands Find a band in Derbyacts to book or play alongsideGigs Upcoming gigs in Derbyevery 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 Derby live music scene.
Common Questions
9 questions people ask before going to Derby's The Hairy Dog open mic.
Sign-up via the venue. See all Derby 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 Hairy Dog's open mic - most open mics are free to play and to watch, but check with the venue before you go. Browse Derby open mics.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
257 Becket Street, City Centre, Derby DE1 1HT.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Derby regulars across the Derby open mic scene. Derby open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
The nearest station is Derby (rail station), about 20 minutes' walk away. For sat-nav and taxis, the postcode is DE1 1HT. (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 Derby open mics.
What’s On at The Hairy Dog
The gigs coming up at The Hairy Dog besides the open mic, from the GigXchange directory — each one links its listing.
NOV
14
Dub Pistols
Derby
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
19
Bullshit Detector
Derby
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Punk Rock
View details›
NOV
20
The Busted Experience + Simple Plan UK + Me You at Six
Derby
- Entry—
- TicketsAvailable
- AgeAll ages
- GenrePunk Rock, Pop, Tribute Act
View details›
NOV
21
The Offspin, Some 41
Derby
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Punk Rock
View details›
NOV
21
The Offspin vs Some 41
Derby
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
26
The Slates
Derby
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Pop
View details›
NOV
27
Meryl Streek live
Derby
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreIndie Rock
View details›
NOV
28
Mötley Crüde
Derby
- Entry—
- TicketsAvailable
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
14
Dub Pistols
Derby
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
19
Bullshit Detector
Derby
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Punk Rock
View details›
NOV
20
The Busted Experience + Simple Plan UK + Me You at Six
Derby
- Entry—
- TicketsAvailable
- AgeAll ages
- GenrePunk Rock, Pop, Tribute Act
View details›
NOV
21
The Offspin, Some 41
Derby
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Punk Rock
View details›
NOV
21
The Offspin vs Some 41
Derby
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
NOV
26
The Slates
Derby
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Pop
View details›
NOV
27
Meryl Streek live
Derby
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreIndie Rock
View details›
NOV
28
Mötley Crüde
Derby
- Entry—
- TicketsAvailable
- AgeAll ages
- Genre—
View details›
08 — Keep up with Derby
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See what’s on in Derby over the next four weeks →
The Hairy Dog open mic in brief. The Hairy Dog open mic runs every Wednesday from 20:00 (no fee listed). The Hairy Dog’s venue page lists its kit and capacity if you want to come back with a full band. For a different night this week, the open mics near Derby are listed by day.
Booking or playing in Derby? 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 Derby open mics
All ›Looking for paid gigs, not open mics? See Derby gigs or check the going rate.
10 — What's on at The Hairy Dog
All ›
Dub PistolsSaturday, 14 November 2026
Bullshit DetectorThursday, 19 November 2026
The Busted Experience + Simple Plan UK + Me You at SixFriday, 20 November 2026
The Offspin, Some 41Saturday, 21 November 2026The Offspin vs Some 41Saturday, 21 November 2026Dub PistolsSaturday, 14 November 2026Bullshit DetectorThursday, 19 November 2026The Busted Experience + Simple Plan UK + Me You at SixFriday, 20 November 2026The Offspin, Some 41Saturday, 21 November 2026The Offspin vs Some 41Saturday, 21 November 2026More dates at The Hairy Dog: The Slates, Meryl Streek live and Mötley Crüde.
Rooms near The Hairy Dog: Bar One, Blacksmiths Lounge, Bunk, Burton Folk Club, Catton Hall and Gardens, Darley Park, Donington Park, Dubrek Studios, Electric Daisy, Matlock Bath Pavilion, Melbourne Assembly Rooms and Mr Shaws House.
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