The Alcove is a performance space within Teviot Row House, the Edinburgh University Students' Association building at 13 Bristo Place (EH8 9AJ) — the oldest purpose-built student union building in the world, opened in 1889. After a major renovation, Teviot reopened on 4 March 2026, and its programme once again includes Open Mic Nights alongside Monday Night Jazz, club nights and live music in the new Union Social bar and restaurant. The crowd carries a Fringe-influenced appetite for spoken word and unusual acts as well as music. A PA and vocal mic are provided; this is an acoustic/singer-songwriter-friendly room rather than a full-band backline stage. As a student-union venue, access and exact open-mic timing can vary with the academic calendar — check EUSA listings before turning up. Confirmed open and programming live music in 2026.
Edinburgh · Monthly on Fridays · No fee listed
Bristo Place's thursday-night free open mic at The Alcove @ Teviot Row — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 7:30pm, 10-minute slots, all ages.
Kick-off 19:30, sign-up from 19:00. 10-minute slots. No fee listed.
Nearby open micsUpdated 13 November 2026
Fridays
| Night | Monthly on Fridays |
| Sign-up | 19:00 walk-in |
| Slot | 10 min |
| Entry | No fee listed · all ages |
| Backline | PA provided |
| Capacity | – |
| Performer types | Musicians · Poets |
| Status | Being verified |
No sign-up. We review corrections within 7 days.
Times marked tbc aren't confirmed yet - we're working to find out.
Edinburgh EH8 9AJ
The nearest station is Edinburgh (rail station), about 15 minutes' walk away.
| PA system | Provided |
| Drum kit | TBC |
| Guitar amp | TBC |
| Bass amp | TBC |
| Keys / keyboard | TBC |
| Vocal mics | TBC |
| In-house engineer | None |
The Alcove takes over the Lounge Bar at Teviot Row House (Edinburgh University's student union on Bristo Place) for a free open-mic-with-headliner night blending live music and spoken word. It runs monthly during university term time, always on a Friday, kicking off at 7.30pm — hosted in past seasons by the Teviot Makar with EUSA. A quiet room and a PA with mics are provided. Solo songwriters, poets and acoustic acts suit the room best; it carries that Fringe-city appetite for words as much as music.
The Alcove is a performance space within Teviot Row House, the Edinburgh University Students' Association building at 13 Bristo Place (EH8 9AJ) — the oldest purpose-built student union building in the world, opened in 1889. After a major renovation, Teviot reopened on 4 March 2026, and its programme once again includes Open Mic Nights alongside Monday Night Jazz, club nights and live music in the new Union Social bar and restaurant. The crowd carries a Fringe-influenced appetite for spoken word and unusual acts as well as music. A PA and vocal mic are provided; this is an acoustic/singer-songwriter-friendly room rather than a full-band backline stage. As a student-union venue, access and exact open-mic timing can vary with the academic calendar — check EUSA listings before turning up. Confirmed open and programming live music in 2026.
One tap. It tells the next act what to expect.
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| 02 | Edit your profile and photos |
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| 04 | Update backline and capacity |
The Alcove @ Teviot Row Open Mic
Bristo Place's thursday-night free open mic at The Alcove @ Teviot Row — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 7:30pm, 10-minute slots, all ages.
- Friday
- Open mic night
- Apr 2026
- Listed since
- 30 Sept
- Last checked
- No fee
- Entry
- 10 min
- Slot length
- Community
- Listing status
Last updated: 13 November 2026
The Alcove @ Teviot Row Open Mic — Quick Facts
The Alcove @ Teviot Row Open Mic runs on Fridays (monthly) at The Alcove @ Teviot Row in Edinburgh, starting at 19:30 with sign-up from 19:00. Below: when it runs, sign-up and slots, the stage kit and how to get there.
The night starts at 19:30. It's walk-in sign-up, with the list opening at 19:00 - arrive early to get a slot. Each act gets about 10 minutes. There is a PA listed - ask what else is on stage before you load in.
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About This Open Mic
The Alcove takes over the Lounge Bar at Teviot Row House (Edinburgh University's student union on Bristo Place) for a free open-mic-with-headliner night blending live music and spoken word. It runs monthly during university term time, always on a Friday, kicking off at 7.30pm — hosted in past seasons by the Teviot Makar with EUSA. A quiet room and a PA with mics are provided. Solo songwriters, poets and acoustic acts suit the room best; it carries that Fringe-city appetite for words as much as music.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
The Night at a Glance
How The Alcove @ Teviot Row’s Friday night runs.
Monthly on Fridays
Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH8 9AJ - the map is below.
The Alcove @ Teviot Row provides a PA system; no in-house sound engineer — check the rest with the venue.
Arrive for 19:00 to get your name on the list, tune up before you go on, and plan a set that fits 10 minutes.
Find The Alcove @ Teviot Row
13 Bristo Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AJ
The nearest station is Edinburgh (rail station), about 15 minutes' walk away. You'll find The Alcove @ Teviot Row in Bristo Place, Edinburgh; EH8 9AJ is the postcode for sat-nav and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station.
Bannerman's Bar, The Bothy, Biddy Mulligans and The Auld Hundred
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
Planning Your Friday Night
Get there by 19:00 to sign up for a slot. The Alcove @ Teviot Row provides a PA system; no in-house sound engineer — check the rest with the venue.
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. Part of the Edinburgh live music scene.
Common Questions
9 things people ask before turning up at Edinburgh's The Alcove @ Teviot Row open mic.
Venues Near The Alcove @ Teviot Row
No other gigs are listed at The Alcove @ Teviot Row in the GigXchange directory yet — these are the rooms around it, their size, kit and live nights.
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The Alcove @ Teviot Row open mic in brief. The Alcove @ Teviot Row open mic runs monthly on Fridays from 19:30 (no fee listed); sign-up opens 19:00 and slots run about 10 minutes. The Alcove @ Teviot Row’s venue page lists its kit and capacity if you want to come back with a full band. The open mics near Edinburgh are listed by day, for another night this week.
Booking or playing in Edinburgh? 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.
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Want paid gigs instead of open mics? See Edinburgh gigs or check the going rate.
More rooms near The Alcove @ Teviot Row: Barony Bar, Biddy Mulligans, Bogarts, Boston Bar New Town, Boston Bar Old Town, Brewhemia, Bucks Bar Grindlay Street, Cabaret Voltaire, Captain's Bar, Central Hall and Dalkeith Miners Club.
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