The Chemic Tavern is a historic real-ale pub in the heart of the Woodhouse residential area (9 Johnston Street, LS6 2NG), just over a mile north of Leeds city centre. Established in the early 1840s and named after the nearby Johnston's chemical works, it has endured for nearly two centuries as a community hub for creatives, musicians and locals. Open seven nights a week, its programme includes a folk night, open mic, the Monday Night Quiz and a strong line in traditional sessions — an Old Time Session (4th Sunday, 2pm) covering North American folk derived from bluegrass and country (fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar), and a Scottish Session (1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays, 7–10pm). It also features in the Leeds Jazz Festival. The Tap Room hosts live performances; an in-house PA supports both originals and covers.
The Chemic Tavern Open Mic
Woodhouse's thursday-night free open mic at The Chemic Tavern — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 7:30pm, 15-minute slots, all ages.
Last updated: 29 July 2026
The Chemic Tavern Open Mic — Quick Facts
Woodhouse's thursday-night free open mic at The Chemic Tavern — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 7:30pm, 15-minute slots, all ages.
Everything you need before you turn up
Where
The Chemic Tavern9 Johnston Street
Woodhouse
Leeds LS6 2NG
Woodhouse, Leeds — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Highlights
What’s on in Leeds this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About The Chemic Tavern
About This Open Mic
The Night
The Chemic Tavern, a historic real-ale pub in the heart of Woodhouse, runs a genuinely lovely weekly open mic every Thursday from 7:30pm through to about 11:30pm. No sign-up sheet — just turn up early to grab a slot, and you'll get 10 minutes or two songs (whichever's shorter) in a dedicated music room with a properly attentive audience. It's free to play, there's a house guitar and a recently-restored pre-WWI piano, a guitar amp on prior request, and a professional PA with mics and DI run by an experienced engineer. Performers even get a complimentary drink.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
The Night at a Glance
How The Chemic Tavern’s Thursday night runs.
Find The Chemic Tavern
9 Johnston Street, Woodhouse, Leeds LS6 2NG
Planning Your Thursday Night
Arrive by 19:30 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until 23:30. A PA is provided — bring your own instrument and amp.
Part of the Leeds live music scene.
Common Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Leeds's The Chemic Tavern open mic.
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