The Water Rats is a historic King's Cross pub and live-music venue at 328 Gray's Inn Road (WC1X 8BZ), trading since the 1800s. The back-room theatre — around 200 standing, 100 seated — has a storied billing: Bob Dylan's UK debut, plus early shows from The Pogues, Oasis and countless others have passed across its small stage. Today it remains a busy gig room on the London circuit, programming indie, rock, alternative and singer-songwriter nights for both touring and emerging acts, with a bar and food alongside. A grassroots-scale venue with genuine musical pedigree that books originals and covers.
London · Every Wednesday · Free
The Water Rats Open Mic
London open mic at The Water Rats — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
Open mic at a glance The Water Rats · London
Wednesday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Community
Listing status
Run a London open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Water Rats Open Mic — Quick Facts
London open mic at The Water Rats — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
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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+
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
The Water Rats328 Gray's Inn Rd
London WC1X 8BZ
London — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Highlights
Free entry for all
PA system provided
Walk-in sign-up
Music welcome
How do you rate this open mic?One tap, no sign-up required.
Spotted something wrong with this listing?Closed, moved night, different start time? Let us know and we'll re-verify within 48 hours.
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About The Water Rats
About This Open Mic
Every Wednesday in London
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 London open mic directory
The Night
The Water Rats is listed on Google Places as hosting open mic nights in London. We've verified the venue exists at the address below; the day, start time and slot length still need direct confirmation from the venue.
Getting there
328 Gray's Inn Rd, London WC1X 8BZ.
Photos
Four photos sourced from Google Places contributors are shown above the map.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA + monitors
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer
The Night at a Glance
How The Water Rats’s Wednesday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
00:00Venue closes
Every Wednesday 12-min slots Free entry
Find The Water Rats
328 Gray's Inn Rd, London WC1X 8BZ
Planning Your Wednesday Night
Arrive by 19:30 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until late. A PA is provided — bring your own instrument and amp.
Part of the London 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 London's The Water Rats open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other London 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 London mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
328 Gray's Inn Rd, London WC1X 8BZ.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and London regulars across the London open mic scene. London open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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