The Windmill is a legendary independent pub and live-music venue tucked away at 22 Blenheim Gardens in Brixton, south London, with a fierce reputation for championing new and emerging music - the cradle of the south-London post-punk scene that gave the world bands like Black Midi, Black Country New Road and Fat White Family. Gigs run most nights of the week across its roughly 150-capacity room, with a full backline and an in-house sound engineer making it an accessible stage for original guitar bands, alternative, punk and experimental acts. DIY ethos, dog on the bar, no airs and graces - a genuine grassroots institution. June 2026 listings (Skydaddy, Bathing Suits, Borscht and more) confirm a packed, active calendar.
London · Every Tuesday · No fee listed
The Windmill Open Mic
Brixton's Tuesday-night free open mic at 22 Blenheim Gardens, SW2 5BZ — DIY-scene music pub, full backline, in-house engineer, 10-minute slots.
Next night: Tue 17 Nov. Kick-off 20:00, sign-up from 19:30. 10-minute slots. No fee listed.
Nearby open micsUpdated 13 November 2026
At a glance
Checked 23 Sept 202620:00
Kick-off
Tuesdays
sign-up from 19:30Tuesdays
| Night | Every Tuesday |
| Sign-up | 19:30 walk-in |
| Slot | 10 min |
| Entry | No fee listed · 18+ |
| Backline | Full backline |
01 — Inside the room
4 photosPhotos: Google
308
page views on GigXchange. Is it your night?
0 members voted to bring the venue onto GigXchange02 — The details
Before you goEverything you need to know
0
Member votes
votes to get this venue on GigXchange
| Capacity | c. 150 standing |
| Performer types | Musicians |
| Website | windmillbrixton.co.uk |
The check
| Status | Being verified |
Help keep this trueOne tap
Is this night still on?
No sign-up. We review corrections within 7 days.
03 — The night
Every TuesdayHow the night runs
20:00
Kick-off
TuesdaysRunning order
19:30 Sign-up· Walk-in
20:00 Kick-off· 10-minute slots
23:00 Last songs
04 — Find The Windmill
BrixtonGetting there
22 Blenheim Gardens,
Brixton, London SW2 5BZ
Brixton, London SW2 5BZ
The nearest station is Brixton (Underground station), about 15 minutes' walk away.
05 — What's on stage
6 provided| PA system | Provided |
| Drum kit | Provided |
| Guitar amp | Provided |
| Bass amp | Provided |
| Keys / keyboard | Bring your own |
| 3 vocal mics | Provided |
| In-house engineer | Provided |
06 — About
Brixton, LondonAbout the night
We couldn't verify an open mic at The Windmill, Brixton. The Windmill is one of London's most-loved DIY-scene music pubs (Black Country New Road, Squid and Black Midi all cut their teeth here), but it operates as a curated, booked live-music venue — bands apply for gigs by email and are programmed proactively, with no open mic or open-decks night on its listings. The previously listed weekly Tuesday open mic appears to have been fabricated; treat as not currently running an open mic.
The Windmill is a legendary independent pub and live-music venue tucked away at 22 Blenheim Gardens in Brixton, south London, with a fierce reputation for championing new and emerging music - the cradle of the south-London post-punk scene that gave the world bands like Black Midi, Black Country New Road and Fat White Family. Gigs run most nights of the week across its roughly 150-capacity room, with a full backline and an in-house sound engineer making it an accessible stage for original guitar bands, alternative, punk and experimental acts. DIY ethos, dog on the bar, no airs and graces - a genuine grassroots institution. June 2026 listings (Skydaddy, Bathing Suits, Borscht and more) confirm a packed, active calendar.
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What you get | 01 | Correct the day, time and sign-up |
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| 04 | Update backline and capacity |
Brixton · Every Tuesday
The Windmill Open Mic
Brixton's Tuesday-night free open mic at 22 Blenheim Gardens, SW2 5BZ — DIY-scene music pub, full backline, in-house engineer, 10-minute slots.
- Tuesday
- Open mic night
- Apr 2026
- Listed since
- 23 Sept
- Last checked
- No fee
- Entry
- 10 min
- Slot length
- Community
- Listing status
Run a London open mic? List it free — reviewed before it goes live
Last updated: 13 November 2026
The Windmill Open Mic — Quick Facts
The Windmill Open Mic runs on Tuesdays at The Windmill in London, starting at 20:00 with sign-up from 19:30. Below: when it runs, sign-up and slots, the stage kit and how to get there.
Open mic status Last checked 23 Sept 2026
How sure we are
Partly verified
The night starts at 20:00 and runs to about 23:00. Sign-up is on the night from 19:30 - get there early to get a slot. Each act gets about 10 minutes, so the night holds around 18 acts. Full backline is listed, so you can travel light - bring your instrument, pedals and breakables.
Next nightTue 17 Nov · 20:00Starts in 4d 12h 22m
Age18+
Sign-upWalk-in on the night
Capacityc. 150 standing
BacklineFull backline
Sound engineerIn-house, included
Directory statusBeing verified
Member votes0 to get the venue on GigXchange
Websitewindmillbrixton.co.uk
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. We review corrections within 7 days.
NightTuesdayEvery TuesdayNext: Tue 17 Nov
Starts20:00until 23:00
Sign-up19:30Walk-in
Slots10minutes eachRoom for about 18 acts
What’s on in London this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About This Open Mic
We couldn't verify an open mic at The Windmill, Brixton. The Windmill is one of London's most-loved DIY-scene music pubs (Black Country New Road, Squid and Black Midi all cut their teeth here), but it operates as a curated, booked live-music venue — bands apply for gigs by email and are programmed proactively, with no open mic or open-decks night on its listings. The previously listed weekly Tuesday open mic appears to have been fabricated; treat as not currently running an open mic.
The kit on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA systemProvided
Drum kitProvided
Guitar ampProvided
Bass ampProvided
Keys / keyboardBring your own
3 vocal micsProvided
In-house engineerProvided
The Night at a Glance
How The Windmill’s Tuesday night runs.
Next nightTue 17 Nov · 20:00Starts in 4d 12h 22m
Sign-up opens19:30Walk-in on the night
Kick-off20:00Every Tuesday
Music ends · Venue closes23:00Last act finishes
Slots10minutes eachroom for about 18 acts
How often
Every Tuesday
Coming up
Tue 17 Nov · Tue 24 Nov · Tue 1 Dec
Kit
The Windmill provides a PA system, 3 vocal mics, a drum kit, a guitar amp, a bass amp and an in-house sound engineer; bring your own keys.
First time here?
Arrive for 19:30 to get your name on the list, tune up before you go on, and plan a set that fits 10 minutes.
Find The Windmill
22 Blenheim Gardens, Brixton, London SW2 5BZ
Address22 Blenheim Gardens
AreaBrixton, London
PostcodeSW2 5BZ
DirectionsOpen in Google Maps →
Getting there
The nearest station is Brixton (Underground station), about 15 minutes' walk away. The Windmill is in Brixton, London — use SW2 5BZ for sat-nav, taxis and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station before you set off.
Open mics nearby
Sindercombe Social, The Hawley Arms, Vortex Jazz Club and The Blues Kitchen Camden
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
Planning Your Tuesday Night
Arrive by 19:30 to sign up for a slot. The open mic runs until about 23:00. Full backline is provided — just bring your instrument and pedals.
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What should you charge for paid gigs? Most open mic musicians are ready sooner than they think — try the Rate Calculator for live UK rates by role, city and venue size. Part of the London live music scene.
Common Questions
9 things people ask before turning up at London's The Windmill 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.
Full backline: drum kit, guitar amp, bass amp, PA and vocal mics, plus an in-house sound engineer. Bring your own instrument and pedals.
10 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
No entry fee is listed for The Windmill's open mic - most open mics are free to play and to watch, but check with the venue before you go. Browse London open mics.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
22 Blenheim Gardens, Brixton, London SW2 5BZ.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and London regulars across the London open mic scene. London open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
The nearest station is Brixton (Underground station), about 15 minutes' walk away. For sat-nav and taxis, the postcode is SW2 5BZ. (Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport, Open Government Licence.)
Sign-up is walk-in on the night, from 19:30, so you do not need to book ahead. GigXchange doesn't publish venue phone numbers or emails - the venue's own website is linked on this page. Browse other London open mics.
What’s On at The Windmill
The gigs coming up at The Windmill besides the open mic, from the GigXchange directory — each one links its listing.
NOV
18
Grommet, Kila Kosa
London
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreAlternative Rock, Metal
View details›
NOV
19
Grommet
London
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Pop
View details›
NOV
18
Grommet, Kila Kosa
London
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreAlternative Rock, Metal
View details›
NOV
19
Grommet
London
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Pop
View details›
NOV
18
Grommet, Kila Kosa
London
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreAlternative Rock, Metal
View details›
NOV
19
Grommet
London
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Pop
View details›
NOV
18
Grommet, Kila Kosa
London
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreAlternative Rock, Metal
View details›
NOV
19
Grommet
London
- Entry—
- Tickets—
- AgeAll ages
- GenreRock, Pop
View details›
08 — Keep up with London
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See what’s on in London over the next four weeks →
The Windmill open mic in brief. The Windmill open mic runs every Tuesday from 20:00 (no fee listed); sign-up opens 19:30 and slots run about 10 minutes. Coming back with a full band? The Windmill’s venue page has its kit and capacity listed. For another night this week, the open mics near London are listed by day.
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.
09 — More London open mics
All ›Looking for paid gigs, not open mics? See London gigs or check the going rate.
10 — What's on at The Windmill
All ›
Rooms near The Windmill: Chip Shop BXTN, Freight Brixton, Hootananny Brixton, Pop Brixton, The Blues Kitchen Brixton, The Effra Social, The Prince of Wales, 100 Club, 1901 Arts Club, 21Soho, 229 and 30's And Avenue.
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