The Derby Bar is a traditional pub at the upper end of Great James Street in Derry city centre, a short walk from the Guildhall and the Cultúrlann. It is a small, old-style bar with a back room that is used for music. A traditional Irish music session has run there on Thursday nights for well over a decade.
City Centre · Every Thursday · Free
The Derby Bar Open Mic
City Centre's thursday open mic.
Open mic at a glance The Derby Bar · Derry
Thursday
Open mic night
Aug 2026
Listed since
12 Aug
Last verified
Free
Entry
—
Sign-up time
Verified
Listing status
Run a Derry open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 12 August 2026
The Derby Bar Open Mic — Quick Facts
✓ Verified activeLast verified
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayThursday
Start22:00
Sign-up walk-in
Slot length–
EntryFree · all ages
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
The Derby Bar63 Great James Street
City Centre
Derry BT48 7DB
City Centre, Derry — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Contact
Walk-in sign-up only
No advance booking
Host: in-house team
Highlights
Free entry for all
Walk-in sign-up
Music welcome
How do you rate this open mic?One tap, no sign-up required.
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About The Derby Bar
About This Open Mic
Every Thursday in City Centre, Derry
Kicks off at 22:00
Free entry for performers and audience
Slot length — we’re on it, no info yet
Gear & backline — we’re on it, no info yet
Part of the Derry open mic directory
The Night
A long-running open traditional Irish session in the back room at The Derby Bar on Great James Street, on Thursday nights. The published start time is around 10pm, but that time has not been reconfirmed recently, so check with the bar before travelling.
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 The Derby Bar’s Thursday night runs.
22:00Kick-off
Every Thursday Free entry
Find The Derby Bar
63 Great James Street, City Centre, Derry BT48 7DB
Planning Your Thursday Night
Arrive early to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until late. Bring your own gear.
Part of the Derry live music scene.
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Try the Rate CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Derry's The Derby Bar open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at . Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Derry open mic nights for alternatives.
BYO PA, mics and instruments.
Slot length varies — check with the host.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Derry mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
63 Great James Street, City Centre, Derry BT48 7DB.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Derry regulars across the Derry open mic scene. Derry open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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