The Piper is a rock 'n' roll grassroots pub and music venue at 1 Norman Road, St Leonards-on-Sea (Hastings), occupying the former Norman Arms and reopened in July 2019. Its 200-capacity upstairs room is a proper live space, built around a raised 10-foot stage with professional PA and audio plus a green room, and it hosts touring bands on the national circuit alongside open-mic nights and other arts events. Acts are generally ticketed in advance. Welcoming both original music and covers, The Piper is one of the strongest grassroots additions to the Hastings live circuit and a key fixture for emerging and touring talent on the East Sussex coast.
Hastings · Every Wednesday · Free
The Piper Open Mic
Hastings's wednesday open mic. Full backline.
Open mic at a glance The Piper · Hastings
Wednesday
Open mic night
May 2026
Listed since
03 Aug
Last verified
Free
Entry
—
Sign-up time
Verified
Listing status
Run a Hastings open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 August 2026
The Piper Open Mic — Quick Facts
✓ Verified activeLast verified
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayWednesday
Start20:00
Sign-up walk-in
Slot length–
EntryFree · all ages
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
Contact
Walk-in sign-up only
No advance booking
Host: in-house team
Highlights
Free entry for all
Full backline on stage
Walk-in sign-up
Music welcome
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 and we'll re-verify within 48 hours.
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About The Piper
About This Open Mic
Every Wednesday in Hastings
Kicks off at 20:00
Free entry for performers and audience
Slot length — we’re on it, no info yet
Full backline on stage
Part of the Hastings open mic directory
The Night
The Piper in St Leonards-on-Sea (Hastings) hosts a weekly open mic every Wednesday from 8pm to 11pm, hosted by Steve Didge. It's a warm, traditional-meets-modern pub with a cracking draught selection and a proper 200-capacity live room upstairs, so there's a real stage feel to it. Entry is free whether you're playing or just there to watch. Full PA, guitar, piano, cajon and amps are provided — just turn up and show off your skills.
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 Piper’s Wednesday night runs.
20:00Kick-off
23:00Last songs
00:00Venue closes
Every Wednesday Free entry
Find The Piper
Hastings
Planning Your Wednesday Night
Arrive early to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until 23:00. Full backline is provided — just bring your instrument and pedals.
Part of the Hastings live music scene.
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Try the Rate CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Hastings's The Piper open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at . Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Hastings open mic nights for alternatives.
Full backline: drum kit, guitar amp, bass amp, vocal mics. Bring your own instrument and pedals.
Slot length varies — check with the host.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Hastings mics are free; browse the list.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Hastings regulars across the Hastings open mic scene. Hastings open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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