The Fighting Cocks is one of Kingston upon Thames' longest-running grassroots music venues, on London Road in Kingston Town (KT2 6QA), in a building established in 1890. Touring jazz acts stopped there in the 1930s and 1940s, it later became a rock'n'roll hangout tied to the Eel Pie Island scene, and the current bar has been trading since 2000. The intimate c. 150-capacity room champions cutting-edge alternative music (rock'n'roll, punk, metal, folk, ska, rockabilly and electro) alongside stand-up comedy, cabaret, quizzes and themed nights, with touring and original bands several nights a week. It also backs new talent through free-entry Young Blood and New Blood showcases and all-ages weekend matinees. Open from noon daily, until midnight Sunday to Thursday and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Kingston upon Thames · Every last Sunday of the month · Free
The Fighting Cocks Open Mic
Town centre's sunday open mic.
Next night: Sun 29 Nov. Kick-off 19:00, sign-up from 18:00. Free entry.
Nearby open micsAt a glance
Checked 28 Oct 2026Sundays
| Night | Every last Sunday of the month |
| Sign-up | 18:00 |
| Slot | Ask the host |
| Entry | Free · 18+ |
| Backline | Ask the host |
01 — Inside the room
4 photos02 — The details
Before you goEverything you need to know
| Capacity | – |
| Performer types | Musicians |
| Status | Verified running |
| Last checked | 28 Oct 2026 |
| Checked against | Venue website |
03 — The night
Every last Sunday of the monthHow the night runs
04 — Find The Fighting Cocks
Town centreGetting there
Town centre, Kingston upon Thames KT2 6QA
The nearest station is Kingston (rail station), about 5 minutes' walk away.
05 — What's on stage
TBC| PA system | TBC |
| Drum kit | TBC |
| Guitar amp | TBC |
| Bass amp | TBC |
| Keys / keyboard | TBC |
| Vocal mics | TBC |
| In-house engineer | TBC |
06 — About
Town centre, Kingston upon ThamesAbout the night
The Cock Pit is a monthly open mic at the Fighting Cocks, Kingston's independent rock bar, on the last Sunday of each month. Sign-ups open at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm, and slots can also be booked in advance by email. Singers, guitarists and bands of any style can take the stage. Free entry, over-18s only.
The Fighting Cocks is one of Kingston upon Thames' longest-running grassroots music venues, on London Road in Kingston Town (KT2 6QA), in a building established in 1890. Touring jazz acts stopped there in the 1930s and 1940s, it later became a rock'n'roll hangout tied to the Eel Pie Island scene, and the current bar has been trading since 2000. The intimate c. 150-capacity room champions cutting-edge alternative music (rock'n'roll, punk, metal, folk, ska, rockabilly and electro) alongside stand-up comedy, cabaret, quizzes and themed nights, with touring and original bands several nights a week. It also backs new talent through free-entry Young Blood and New Blood showcases and all-ages weekend matinees. Open from noon daily, until midnight Sunday to Thursday and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
One tap. It tells the next act what to expect.
| 01 | Correct the day, time and sign-up |
| 02 | Edit your profile and photos |
| 03 | Receive artist enquiries |
| 04 | Update backline and capacity |
The Fighting Cocks Open Mic
Town centre's sunday open mic.
Last updated: 28 October 2026
The Fighting Cocks Open Mic — Quick Facts
Music starts around 19:00. Sign-up is by email, in advance, from 18:00.
What’s on in Kingston upon Thames this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About This Open Mic
The Cock Pit is a monthly open mic at the Fighting Cocks, Kingston's independent rock bar, on the last Sunday of each month. Sign-ups open at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm, and slots can also be booked in advance by email. Singers, guitarists and bands of any style can take the stage. Free entry, over-18s only.
The kit on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
The Night at a Glance
How The Fighting Cocks’s Sunday night runs.
Every last Sunday of the month
Sun 29 Nov · Sun 27 Dec · Sun 31 Jan
Book your slot by email, in advance, then arrive in time for 19:00.
Find The Fighting Cocks
56 London Road, Town centre, Kingston upon Thames KT2 6QA
The nearest station is Kingston (rail station), about 5 minutes' walk away. You'll find The Fighting Cocks in Town centre, Kingston upon Thames; KT2 6QA is the postcode for sat-nav and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station.
The Willoughby Arms, The Ram Jam Club, The Famous Green Man and The King's Arms
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
Planning Your Sunday Night
Book your slot by email, in advance, then arrive in time for 19:00. The kit is not listed yet — ask the host what is provided.
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 Kingston upon Thames live music scene.
07 — Small print9 answersCommon questionsCommon Questions
9 things people want to know before Kingston upon Thames' The Fighting Cocks open mic.
What’s On at The Fighting Cocks
The gigs coming up at The Fighting Cocks besides the open mic — each one links its listing.
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08 — Keep up with Kingston upon Thames
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Keep up with Kingston upon Thames
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See what’s on in Kingston upon Thames over the next four weeks →
The Fighting Cocks open mic in brief. The Fighting Cocks open mic runs every last Sunday of the month from 19:00 (free entry); sign-up opens 18:00. The Fighting Cocks’ 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 Kingston upon Thames are listed by day.
Booking or playing in Kingston upon Thames? 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 Kingston upon Thames open mics
All ›After paid gigs rather than open mics? See Kingston upon Thames gigs or check the going rate.
10 — What's on at The Fighting Cocks
All ›Rooms near The Fighting Cocks: Whelan's, Circuit, Dorking Halls, Ex Cellar Kingston, Excellar, Hampton Court, Hampton Hub Club, Metropolis Epsom, The Cabbage Patch, The Famous Green Man, The Ginistry and The Jazz Sanctuary.
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