The New Conservatory is one of the last remaining independent bar-restaurants in Leeds city centre, tucked away underground on historic Albion Place (LS1 6JL) and trading since 1984. The largely subterranean room is built around a huge mahogany bar with dark wood panelling, stocked bookshelves and Chesterfield sofas — equal parts old library and gentlemen's club. It is a genuine live-music fixture: an Open Mic Night runs every Thursday from 9pm hosted by Toby Thorne, soul-and-funk selector DJ Rob Press takes over Fridays with Friday Hustle, and guest DJs cover Saturdays. A house PA supports performers, and both original material and covers are welcome. Fresh produce comes daily from Leeds' Kirkgate Market, and there's a small street-level beer garden, pool table and free wifi.
Leeds · Every Thursday · No fee listed
Leeds open mic at The New Conservatory — listed on Google Places. Schedule below pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
Next night: Thu 19 Nov. Kick-off 21:00, sign-up from 19:30. 12-minute slots. No fee listed.
Nearby open micsUpdated 13 November 2026
Thursdays
| Night | Every Thursday |
| Sign-up | 19:30 walk-in |
| Slot | 12 min |
| Entry | No fee listed · 18+ |
| Backline | PA provided |
| Capacity | – |
| Performer types | Musicians |
| Website | thenewconservatory.co.uk |
| Status | Verified running |
| Last checked | 11 Sept 2026 |
| Checked against | Web listing |
Leeds LS1 6JL
The nearest station is Leeds (rail station), about 5 minutes' walk away.
| PA system | Provided |
| Drum kit | TBC |
| Guitar amp | TBC |
| Bass amp | TBC |
| Keys / keyboard | TBC |
| Vocal mics | TBC |
| In-house engineer | TBC |
There are few venues lovelier to play than The New Conservatory's book-lined bar in the heart of Leeds city centre, just off Albion Place. The open mic kicks off on Thursdays from 9pm with host Toby Thorne, and it's run with a genuine 'give it a go' policy — any skill level, almost any medium, and an appreciative local crowd. Entry is free and performers get a free promotional beer after their set (subject to availability). Sources vary on whether it's weekly or every other Thursday, so check the 'Open Mic Night at The New Conservatory' Facebook page for the next date.
The New Conservatory is one of the last remaining independent bar-restaurants in Leeds city centre, tucked away underground on historic Albion Place (LS1 6JL) and trading since 1984. The largely subterranean room is built around a huge mahogany bar with dark wood panelling, stocked bookshelves and Chesterfield sofas — equal parts old library and gentlemen's club. It is a genuine live-music fixture: an Open Mic Night runs every Thursday from 9pm hosted by Toby Thorne, soul-and-funk selector DJ Rob Press takes over Fridays with Friday Hustle, and guest DJs cover Saturdays. A house PA supports performers, and both original material and covers are welcome. Fresh produce comes daily from Leeds' Kirkgate Market, and there's a small street-level beer garden, pool table and free wifi.
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The New Conservatory Open Mic
Leeds open mic at The New Conservatory — listed on Google Places. Schedule below pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
- Thursday
- Open mic night
- Apr 2026
- Listed since
- 11 Sept
- Last verified
- No fee
- Entry
- 12 min
- Slot length
- Verified
- Listing status
Last updated: 13 November 2026
The New Conservatory Open Mic — Quick Facts
The New Conservatory Open Mic runs on Thursdays at The New Conservatory in Leeds, starting at 21:00 with sign-up from 19:30. Below: when it runs, sign-up and slots, the stage kit and how to get there.
Music starts around 21:00. It's walk-in sign-up, with the list opening at 19:30 - arrive early to get a slot. Slots run about 12 minutes. A PA is listed; check what else is on stage before you bring a band.
What’s on in Leeds this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About This Open Mic
There are few venues lovelier to play than The New Conservatory's book-lined bar in the heart of Leeds city centre, just off Albion Place. The open mic kicks off on Thursdays from 9pm with host Toby Thorne, and it's run with a genuine 'give it a go' policy — any skill level, almost any medium, and an appreciative local crowd. Entry is free and performers get a free promotional beer after their set (subject to availability). Sources vary on whether it's weekly or every other Thursday, so check the 'Open Mic Night at The New Conservatory' Facebook page for the next date.
Equipment and backline at this venue — what's on stage, verified regularly.
The Night at a Glance
How The New Conservatory’s Thursday night runs.
Every Thursday
Thu 19 Nov · Thu 26 Nov · Thu 3 Dec
The New Conservatory provides a PA system — check the rest with the venue.
Get there by 19:30 for a slot, have your instrument tuned before your turn and keep to about 12 minutes.
Find The New Conservatory
Albion Pl, Leeds LS1 6JL
The nearest station is Leeds (rail station), about 5 minutes' walk away. You'll find The New Conservatory in Leeds; LS1 6JL is the postcode for sat-nav and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station.
Foundry Project, Hales Bar, The Cricketers Arms and Worlds End
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
Planning Your Thursday Night
Arrive by 19:30 to sign up for a slot. The New Conservatory provides a PA system — 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. In the wider Leeds live music scene.
Common Questions
9 things people ask before turning up at Leeds' The New Conservatory open mic.
Venues Near The New Conservatory
No other gigs are listed at The New Conservatory in the GigXchange directory yet — these are the rooms around it, their size, kit and live nights.
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The New Conservatory open mic in brief. The New Conservatory open mic runs every Thursday from 21:00 (no fee listed); sign-up opens 19:30 and slots run about 12 minutes. Coming back with a full band? The New Conservatory’s venue page has its kit and capacity listed. For a different night this week, the open mics near Leeds are listed by day.
Booking or playing in Leeds? 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.
After paid gigs rather than open mics? See Leeds gigs or check the going rate.
More rooms near The New Conservatory: Crowd of Favours, Devonshire Tap House, Duck & Drake, Elliotts Bar, Fibre Leeds, Hales Bar, Katie O'Brien's Irish Tavern, Morley Live CIC, Neighbourhood Leeds, Old Bar and Rita's Beer Hall and Ballroom.
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