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: 26 September 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
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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. Doors are at 7.30pm and performances start at 8pm, running through to about 11.30pm. There's no sign-up sheet - turn up early, and when host Rob signs you up at the start of the night you'll be asked roughly what time you'd like to play. Slots are 10 minutes or two songs, whichever is shorter. It all happens in a dedicated music room with a properly attentive audience: no TVs, no pool table, just the sound. It's free to play, the pub's restored pre-WWI piano and Rob's acoustic guitar are there to use, a guitar amp can be had on prior request, and there's a professional PA with mics and DI.
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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