CellarDoor is a tiny (60-capacity) underground cabaret and burlesque speakeasy tucked beneath Aldwych at Zero Aldwych, on the edge of Covent Garden — famously housed in a former Victorian gents' toilet that once drew the likes of Gielgud and Wilde. Today it runs free live acts from 8:30pm every evening, seven nights a week, until 1am: crooners, drag queens, magicians, jazz singers and burlesque performers across a rolling cabaret programme. With its intimate basement room and a cocktail list of signature creations (Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, Coco Chanel, London Calling), it's a performer-led night-spot rather than a band-and-PA pub gig, but it remains one of central London's most distinctive live-entertainment rooms. Nearest tube: Covent Garden, five minutes away.
CellarDoor Open Mic
Aldwych's tuesday open mic.
Last updated: 16 July 2026
CellarDoor Open Mic — Quick Facts
Everything you need before you turn up
Where
CellarDoorAldwych
London
Aldwych, London — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Contact
Walk-in sign-up only
No advance booking
Host: in-house team
Highlights
What’s on in London this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About CellarDoor
About This Open Mic
The Night
CellarDoor's Tuesday night is a piano-bar singalong rather than a guitar open mic — an intimate basement cocktail bar at Zero Aldwych (WC2E 7DN). From 9pm to 11:45pm a house pianist accompanies you: bring sheet music and sing a West End or cabaret number. Free entry, walk-up. (A separate Musical Theatre Singers night runs on Sundays.)
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
The Night at a Glance
How CellarDoor’s Tuesday night runs.
Find CellarDoor
Aldwych, London
Planning Your Tuesday Night
Arrive early to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until 23:45. A PA is provided — bring your own instrument and amp.
Part of the London live music scene.
Common Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at London's CellarDoor open mic.
Keep up with London
One email a week with live music near you. Free, and it keeps grassroots rooms full.
Help keep grassroots venues open in London
—A UK venue stops hosting live music every 5 days — and turning up is what keeps a room open. Get a free weekly email of gigs in London. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy.
See what’s on in London over the next four weeks →
Booking or playing in London? 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.
Run an open mic in London?
Add yours to the directory free. 2-minute submission, verified within 48 hours. Reach 1,000+ London musicians.
Looking for paid gigs, not open mics?