The Maiden's Head is a historic Wincheap pub dating to 1446, recently refurbished, that runs a weekly Thursday open mic alongside regular live band nights for everything from energetic rock trios upward. Two minutes from Canterbury East station and five from the city centre, it pairs a wide beer and wine range with a welcoming, locals-friendly stage. Free customer parking makes it an easy spot for gigging artists to load in.
28 Wincheap · Every Thursday · Free
The Maidens Head Open Mic
28 Wincheap's thursday open mic.
Open mic at a glance The Maidens Head · Canterbury
Thursday
Open mic night
May 2026
Listed since
29 Jul
Last verified
Free
Entry
—
Sign-up time
Verified
Listing status
Run a Canterbury open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 29 July 2026
The Maidens Head Open Mic — Quick Facts
✓ Verified activeLast verified
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayThursday
Start18:00
Sign-up walk-in
Slot length–
EntryFree · all ages
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic · Comedy · Poetry
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
The Maidens Head28 Wincheap
Canterbury CT1 3QZ
28 Wincheap, Canterbury — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Contact
Walk-in sign-up only
No advance booking
Host: in-house team
Highlights
Free entry for all
PA system provided
Walk-in sign-up
Music, Comedy, Poetry 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 Maidens Head
About This Open Mic
Every Thursday in 28 Wincheap, Canterbury
Kicks off at 18:00
Free entry for performers and audience
Slot length — we’re on it, no info yet
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the Canterbury open mic directory
The Night
The Maiden's Head on Wincheap is one of Canterbury's oldest buildings (it dates to 1446), and it runs a brilliantly well-equipped open mic every Thursday from 6 to 10pm. All acts are welcome — it's not just for musicians, they've had stand-up comedy and poetry too — and there's a genuine community feel. The backline is exceptional for an open mic: a full drum kit (with a house drummer), electric bass through the PA (with a house bassist), electric guitar and amp, an 88-key hammer-graded keyboard and two mics. Book ahead via host Jamie and the WhatsApp group, or just turn up early to guarantee a slot.
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 Maidens Head’s Thursday night runs.
18:00Kick-off
22:00Last songs
Every Thursday Free entry
Find The Maidens Head
28 Wincheap, Canterbury CT1 3QZ
Planning Your Thursday Night
Arrive early to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until 22:00. A PA is provided — bring your own instrument and amp.
Part of the Canterbury live music scene.
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Try the Rate CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Canterbury's The Maidens Head open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at . Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Canterbury open mic nights for alternatives.
PA + vocal mic provided. BYO instrument and amp.
Slot length varies — check with the host.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Canterbury mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
28 Wincheap, Canterbury CT1 3QZ.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Canterbury regulars across the Canterbury open mic scene. Canterbury open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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