The Criterion is a live music venue in <strong>City Centre, Leicester</strong>, hosting regular open mic nights for local musicians and performers. Whether you're a seasoned gigging musician or stepping up to perform for the first time, The Criterion provides a welcoming stage and audience.
City Centre · Every Monday · Free
The Criterion Open Mic
Leicester's Monday-night free folk open mic at 44 Millstone Lane, LE1 5JN — real-ale pub, PA + guitar amp, 12-minute slots.
Open mic at a glance The Criterion · Leicester
Monday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Community
Listing status
Run a Leicester open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Criterion Open Mic — Quick Facts
Leicester's Monday-night free folk open mic at 44 Millstone Lane, LE1 5JN — real-ale pub, PA + guitar amp, 12-minute slots.
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayMonday
Start20:00
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacityc. 80 standing
Performer typesMusic · Folk
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
The Criterion44 Millstone Lane
City Centre
Leicester LE1 5JN
City Centre, Leicester — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Highlights
Free entry for all
PA system provided
Walk-in sign-up
Music, Folk welcome
How do you rate this open mic?One tap, no sign-up required.
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About The Criterion
About This Open Mic
Every Monday in City Centre, Leicester
Kicks off at 20:00, sign-up from 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
12-minute slots
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the Leicester open mic directory
The Night
The Criterion is a Leicester real-ale pub with a folk-leaning Monday open mic.
180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
44 Millstone Lane, LE1 5JN. 8 minutes from Leicester Rail.
The venue
Real-ale pub with stage. 18+. Capacity c. 80.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA + monitors
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
2 vocal mics
In-house engineer
The Night at a Glance
How The Criterion’s Monday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
23:00Last songs
Every Monday 12-min slots Free entry
Find The Criterion
44 Millstone Lane, City Centre, Leicester LE1 5JN
Planning Your Monday Night
Arrive by 19:30 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until 23:00. A PA is provided — bring your own instrument and amp.
Part of the Leicester live music scene.
What should you charge for paid gigs?Most open mic musicians are ready for paid work sooner than they think. Check live UK rates by role, city, and venue size.
Try the Rate CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Leicester's The Criterion open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Leicester open mic nights for alternatives.
PA + vocal mic provided. BYO instrument and amp.
12 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Leicester mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
44 Millstone Lane, City Centre, Leicester LE1 5JN.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Leicester regulars across the Leicester open mic scene. Leicester open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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