The Whiskey Jar is the Northern Quarter's longest-running open-mic venue, set in a stunning Grade I-listed former textile mill at 14 Tariff Street, Manchester (M1 2FF). It's split over two floors — an informal upstairs and a basement dedicated to music events — and has built a national reputation as one of the best open mics in the UK. The critically acclaimed open mic runs every Tuesday and Wednesday from 7pm, free to come in and watch, and has been running for around 8 years. Full backline is set up — drum kit, guitar and bass amps and vocal mics — with sound handled at the desk, so full bands as well as solo acts can play. To register, performers contact the venue's open-mic organiser (Joe McAdam). Manchester's scene is built around the Northern Quarter circuit, so expect a mix of working musicians and curious locals week to week.
Manchester · Every Tuesday · No fee listed
Northern Quarter's tuesday-night free open mic at The Whiskey Jar — full backline, in-house sound engineer, walk-in sign-up from 6:30pm, 15-minute slots, all ages.
Next night: Tue 17 Nov. Kick-off 19:00, sign-up from 18:30. 15-minute slots. No fee listed.
Nearby open micsUpdated 13 November 2026
Tuesdays
| Night | Every Tuesday |
| Sign-up | 18:30 |
| Slot | 15 min |
| Entry | No fee listed · all ages |
| Backline | Full backline |
| Capacity | – |
| Performer types | Musicians |
| Host | Joe McAdam (Joe Bagpipes) |
| Website | thewhiskeyjar.com |
| Status | Verified running |
| Last checked | 27 Sept 2026 |
| Checked against | Venue website |
Northern Quarter, Manchester M1 2FF
The nearest station is Piccadilly Gardens (tram stop), about 5 minutes' walk away.
| PA system | Provided |
| Drum kit | Provided |
| Guitar amp | Provided |
| Bass amp | Provided |
| Keys / keyboard | TBC |
| 3 vocal mics | Provided |
| In-house engineer | Provided |
The Whiskey Jar is a beloved bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter, home to one of the UK's longest-running and best-regarded open mics — now running 8-plus years. Open mic happens every Tuesday and Wednesday from 7pm, and it's free to come in, grab a drink and listen to talented musicians from across Manchester (it's helped launch acts like Jamie Lawson). To play, message host Joe McAdam (aka Joe Bagpipes) ahead of the night. A genuinely special, music-first live room.
The Whiskey Jar is the Northern Quarter's longest-running open-mic venue, set in a stunning Grade I-listed former textile mill at 14 Tariff Street, Manchester (M1 2FF). It's split over two floors — an informal upstairs and a basement dedicated to music events — and has built a national reputation as one of the best open mics in the UK. The critically acclaimed open mic runs every Tuesday and Wednesday from 7pm, free to come in and watch, and has been running for around 8 years. Full backline is set up — drum kit, guitar and bass amps and vocal mics — with sound handled at the desk, so full bands as well as solo acts can play. To register, performers contact the venue's open-mic organiser (Joe McAdam). Manchester's scene is built around the Northern Quarter circuit, so expect a mix of working musicians and curious locals week to week.
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The Whiskey Jar Open Mic
Northern Quarter's tuesday-night free open mic at The Whiskey Jar — full backline, in-house sound engineer, walk-in sign-up from 6:30pm, 15-minute slots, all ages.
- Tuesday
- Open mic night
- Apr 2026
- Listed since
- 27 Sept
- Last verified
- No fee
- Entry
- 15 min
- Slot length
- Verified
- Listing status
Last updated: 13 November 2026
The Whiskey Jar Open Mic — Quick Facts
The Whiskey Jar Open Mic runs on Tuesdays at The Whiskey Jar in Manchester, starting at 19:00 with sign-up from 18:30. Below: when it runs, sign-up and slots, the stage kit and how to get there.
Music starts around 19:00. Sign-up is online, in advance, from 18:30. Each act gets about 15 minutes. With full backline listed, you need little more than your instrument and pedals. Joe McAdam (Joe Bagpipes) hosts the night.
What’s on in Manchester this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About This Open Mic
The Whiskey Jar is a beloved bar in Manchester's Northern Quarter, home to one of the UK's longest-running and best-regarded open mics — now running 8-plus years. Open mic happens every Tuesday and Wednesday from 7pm, and it's free to come in, grab a drink and listen to talented musicians from across Manchester (it's helped launch acts like Jamie Lawson). To play, message host Joe McAdam (aka Joe Bagpipes) ahead of the night. A genuinely special, music-first live room.
The kit on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
The Night at a Glance
How The Whiskey Jar’s Tuesday night runs.
Every Tuesday
Tue 17 Nov · Tue 24 Nov · Tue 1 Dec
The Whiskey Jar provides a PA system, 3 vocal mics, a drum kit, a guitar amp, a bass amp and an in-house sound engineer — check the rest with the venue.
Book your slot online, in advance, then arrive in time for 19:00 with a set that fits 15 minutes.
Find The Whiskey Jar
14 Tariff Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester M1 2FF
The nearest station is Piccadilly Gardens (tram stop), about 5 minutes' walk away. The Whiskey Jar is in Northern Quarter, Manchester — use M1 2FF for sat-nav, taxis and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station before you set off.
Wallop Prestwich, The Silly Country, Fox & Pine and The Alexandra
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
Planning Your Tuesday Night
Book your slot online, in advance, then arrive in time for 19:00. Full backline is provided — just bring your instrument and pedals.
What should you charge for a paid gig? Most open mic musicians are ready sooner than they think — try the Rate Calculator for live UK rates by role, city and venue size. A night in the Manchester live music scene.
Common Questions
9 things people want to know before Manchester's The Whiskey Jar open mic.
Venues Near The Whiskey Jar
No other gigs are listed at The Whiskey Jar in the GigXchange directory yet — these are the rooms around it, their size, kit and live nights.
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The Whiskey Jar open mic in brief. The Whiskey Jar open mic runs every Tuesday from 19:00 (no fee listed); sign-up opens 18:30 and slots run about 15 minutes. Coming back with a full band? The Whiskey Jar’s venue page has its kit and capacity listed. For a different night this week, the open mics near Manchester are listed by day.
Booking or playing in Manchester? 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.
After paid gigs rather than open mics? See Manchester gigs or check the going rate.
More rooms near The Whiskey Jar: Manchester Gullivers, Matt & Phred's, Night and Day, Off The Square Manchester, Renae, Stage And Radio, The Bay Horse Tavern, The Castle Hotel, The Faraday Pub, The Mother of Invention and The Pen & Pencil.
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