Firebug is an alternative music bar at 1 Millstone Lane (LE1 5JN) in Leicester's Cultural Quarter, opened in summer 2004 in a Victorian former Leicester Gas Offices building and now an essential part of the city's nightlife. Its upstairs function room and yard host live music, intimate club nights, stand-up comedy, film screenings and art exhibitions, leaning rock, indie and alternative, with a full backline, PA and in-house sound. Meals, Wi-Fi and a picnic-table yard round out a venue that's long supported Leicester's grassroots and original-music scene.
City Centre · Every Wednesday · Free
Firebug Open Mic
Leicester's Wednesday-night free open mic at 1 Millstone Lane, LE1 5JN — alternative music bar, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
Open mic at a glance Firebug · Leicester
Wednesday
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
Firebug Open Mic — Quick Facts
Leicester's Wednesday-night free open mic at 1 Millstone Lane, LE1 5JN — alternative music bar, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayWednesday
Start20:00
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacityc. 200 standing
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerIn-house, included
View on map
Where
Firebug1 Millstone Lane
City Centre
Leicester LE1 5JN
City Centre, Leicester — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Highlights
Free entry for all
Full backline on stage
In-house sound engineer
Walk-in sign-up
Music welcome
How do you rate this open mic?One tap, no sign-up required.
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About Firebug
About This Open Mic
Every Wednesday in City Centre, Leicester
Kicks off at 20:00, sign-up from 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
12-minute slots
Full backline on stage
Part of the Leicester open mic directory
The Night
Firebug is Leicester's alternative music institution — paid bills most nights, Wednesday open mic.
180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
1 Millstone Lane, LE1 5JN. 8 minutes from Leicester Rail.
The venue
Multi-floor music bar. 18+. Capacity c. 200.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA + monitors
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
3 vocal mics
In-house engineer
The Night at a Glance
How Firebug’s Wednesday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
23:00Last songs
04:00Venue closes
Every Wednesday 12-min slots Free entry
Find Firebug
1 Millstone Lane, City Centre, Leicester LE1 5JN
Planning Your Wednesday Night
Arrive by 19:30 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 Leicester live music scene.
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Try the Rate CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Leicester's Firebug 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.
Full backline: drum kit, guitar amp, bass amp, vocal mics, plus an in-house sound engineer. Bring your own instrument and pedals.
12 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Leicester mics are free; browse the list.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
1 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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