Ye Old Elm Tree on Crossgate hosts one of Durham's longest-standing traditional music sessions: a mainly Irish session every Monday from 8pm, with a 50th-anniversary session held in September 2026. It's a tunes session rather than a sign-up open mic - bring an instrument and join in, alongside a mix of old hands and newer players.
Also on Tuesdays
A second session runs every Tuesday from 7.30pm, where Northumbrian, English, French, Irish, Scandinavian, Scottish and Balkan tunes and players' own compositions can all get played. Regulars say the Monday session is usually faster than the Tuesday one.
The venue
A traditional pub at 12 Crossgate, Durham DH1 4PS.
Ye Old Elm Tree is one of Durham's oldest pubs, perched on Crossgate just over the river from the city centre. It is a snug, multi-room local with cask ale and a deep connection to the city's folk scene.
The Monday night folk session has been running for nearly 40 years, making it one of the longest-standing sessions in the north east. Players gather from 8pm and it is walk-in - bring an instrument and join the circle, with mainly Irish tunes on Mondays. A second session runs on Tuesday nights from around 7.30pm.
There is no fee and no stage - this is a traditional acoustic session around the table, and singers and players of all standards are made welcome.
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Last updated: 13 November 2026
Ye Old Elm Tree Open Mic — Quick Facts
Ye Old Elm Tree Open Mic runs on Mondays at Ye Old Elm Tree in Durham, starting at 20:00. Below: when it runs, sign-up and slots, the stage kit and how to get there.
Ye Old Elm Tree is one of Durham's oldest pubs, perched on Crossgate just over the river from the city centre. It is a snug, multi-room local with cask ale and a deep connection to the city's folk scene.
The Monday night folk session has been running for nearly 40 years, making it one of the longest-standing sessions in the north east. Players gather from 8pm and it is walk-in - bring an instrument and join the circle, with mainly Irish tunes on Mondays. A second session runs on Tuesday nights from around 7.30pm.
There is no fee and no stage - this is a traditional acoustic session around the table, and singers and players of all standards are made welcome.
More open mic nights in Durham: Sherburn Village Working Men's Club, The Drunken Duck, Daleside Arms and 5 more - each with its night and sign-up where listed.
Ye Old Elm Tree on Crossgate hosts one of Durham's longest-standing traditional music sessions: a mainly Irish session every Monday from 8pm, with a 50th-anniversary session held in September 2026. It's a tunes session rather than a sign-up open mic - bring an instrument and join in, alongside a mix of old hands and newer players.
Also on Tuesdays
A second session runs every Tuesday from 7.30pm, where Northumbrian, English, French, Irish, Scandinavian, Scottish and Balkan tunes and players' own compositions can all get played. Regulars say the Monday session is usually faster than the Tuesday one.
The venue
A traditional pub at 12 Crossgate, Durham DH1 4PS.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA systemTBC
Drum kitTBC
Guitar ampTBC
Bass ampTBC
Keys / keyboardTBC
Vocal micsTBC
In-house engineerTBC
The Night at a Glance
How Ye Old Elm Tree’s Monday night runs.
Next nightMon 16 Nov · 20:00Starts in 3d 12h 23m
Kick-off20:00Every Monday
Venue closes23:00The listed closing time
How often
Every Monday
Coming up
Mon 16 Nov · Mon 23 Nov · Mon 30 Nov
First time here?
Arrive early to get your name on the list, tune up before you go on.
The nearest station is Durham (rail station), about 5 minutes' walk away. You'll find Ye Old Elm Tree in Crossgate, Durham; DH1 4PS is the postcode for sat-nav and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station.
What should you charge for a paid gig? Most open mic musicians are ready sooner than they think — try the Rate Calculator for live UK rates by role, city and venue size. A night in the Durham live music scene.
Common Questions
9 things people want to know before Durham's Ye Old Elm Tree open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Durham open mic nights for alternatives.
Ye Old Elm Tree has not listed its kit yet — ask the host before you go.
Slot length varies — check with the host.
No entry fee is listed for Ye Old Elm Tree's open mic - most open mics are free to play and to watch, but check with the venue before you go. Browse Durham open mics.
Ask the host before bringing a full band — solo and duo acts are the usual open-mic format.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Durham regulars across the Durham open mic scene. Durham open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
The nearest station is Durham (rail station), about 5 minutes' walk away. For sat-nav and taxis, the postcode is DH1 4PS. (Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport, Open Government Licence.)
Sign-up is walk-in on the night, so you do not need to book ahead. GigXchange doesn't publish venue phone numbers or emails. Browse other Durham open mics.
Venues Near Ye Old Elm Tree
No other gigs are listed at Ye Old Elm Tree in the GigXchange directory yet — these are the rooms around it, their size, kit and live nights.
More live music venues: Bar Bianco Chester Le Street, Coundon WMC, Daleside Arms and 9 more - size, kit and live nights where listed.
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Ye Old Elm Tree open mic in brief. The Ye Old Elm Tree open mic runs every Monday from 20:00 (no fee listed). Ye Old Elm Tree’s venue page lists its kit and capacity if you want to come back with a full band. The open mics near Durham are listed by day, for another night this week.
Booking or playing in Durham? 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
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