The Deaf Institute is an independent, much-loved Manchester venue at 135 Grosvenor Street (M1 7HE), spread across three floors with three bars, a kitchen and a roof terrace. Its first-floor Music Hall — a roughly 260-capacity ballroom under a giant mirror ball, with velvet curtains, a domed ceiling and tiered seating — hosts touring gigs, comedy and club nights, while the basement bar (about 70) and the Lodge (about 175) add flexible space. A staple of the Manchester independent circuit, it runs a full backline with in-house engineering for headline shows and remains a key step on the touring ladder for emerging indie, rock and alternative acts.
University · Every Thursday · Free
The Deaf Institute Open Mic
Manchester's Thursday-night free open mic at 135 Grosvenor Street, M1 7HE — converted institute, full backline including piano, 10-minute slots.
Open mic at a glance The Deaf Institute · Manchester
Thursday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
10 min
Slot length
Closed
Listing status
Run a Manchester open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Deaf Institute Open Mic — Quick Facts
Manchester's Thursday-night free open mic at 135 Grosvenor Street, M1 7HE — converted institute, full backline including piano, 10-minute slots.
We’ve marked this as closedSeen it running recently?Checked · 10 seconds, no signup
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayThursday
Start20:00
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length10 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacityc. 250 standing
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerIn-house, included
View on map
Where
The Deaf Institute135 Grosvenor Street
University
Manchester M1 7HE
University, Manchester — 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.
Spotted something wrong with this listing?Closed, moved night, different start time? Let us know and we'll re-verify within 48 hours.
What’s on in Manchester this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About The Deaf Institute
About This Open Mic
Every Thursday in University, Manchester
Kicks off at 20:00, sign-up from 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
10-minute slots
Full backline on stage
Part of the Manchester open mic directory
The Night
The Deaf Institute is an independent three-floor bar and music venue in a converted Victorian building on Grosvenor Street in Manchester's university quarter, with a much-loved domed first-floor music hall. Its programme is built around ticketed gigs and club nights rather than an open mic — we couldn't verify any recurring open mic, jam or turn-up-and-play night currently running here. If that changes it's worth checking their What's On page, but for now there's no open mic to report.
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 The Deaf Institute’s Thursday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
23:00Last songs
Every Thursday 10-min slots Free entry
Find The Deaf Institute
135 Grosvenor Street, University, Manchester M1 7HE
Planning Your Thursday 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 Manchester 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 Manchester's The Deaf Institute open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Manchester 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.
10 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Manchester mics are free; browse the list.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
135 Grosvenor Street, University, Manchester M1 7HE.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Manchester regulars across the Manchester open mic scene. Manchester open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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