Bar Loco is a cosy independent cafe-bar on Leazes Park Road in central Newcastle (NE1), billed as a 'musical-cultural shelter' with a quirky, split-level, chilled-out space. It draws students, locals and touring performers for intimate nights of live music, stand-up and spoken word — you might catch an acoustic songwriter showcase one evening then new-material comedy, an improv jam or a Fringe-preview set the next, with indie, jazz and global sounds threaded through the week. By day it serves coffee, craft beer, cocktails and pizzas/calzones; by night the bands and live DJs take over. Open Tue–Thu 4pm–12am, Fri–Sat from noon, Sun noon–6pm (closed Mondays). Audiences sit close to the action.
Leazes Park Rd · Every last Wednesday of the month · Free
Bar Loco Open Mic
Leazes Park Rd's saturday-night free open mic at Bar Loco — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 6:30pm, 10-minute slots, all ages.
Open mic at a glance Bar Loco · Newcastle
Wednesday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
28 Sept
Last verified
Free
Entry
10 min
Slot length
Verified
Listing status
Run a Newcastle open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 28 September 2026
Bar Loco Open Mic — Quick Facts
Leazes Park Rd's saturday-night free open mic at Bar Loco — PA + vocal mic, walk-in sign-up from 6:30pm, 10-minute slots, all ages.
✓ Verified activeLast verified
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayWednesday
Start19:00
Sign-up18:30 walk-in
Slot length10 min
EntryFree · all ages
Capacity–
Performer typesPoets
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
Bar Loco22 Leazes Park Road
Leazes Park Rd
Newcastle NE1 4PG
Leazes Park Rd, Newcastle — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Contact
Walk-in sign-up only
No advance booking
Highlights
Free entry for all
PA system provided
Walk-in sign-up
Poets 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 Bar Loco
About This Open Mic
Every last Wednesday of the month in Leazes Park Rd, Newcastle
Kicks off at 19:00, sign-up from 18:30
Free entry for performers and audience
10-minute slots
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the Newcastle open mic directory
The Night
Bar Loco on Leazes Park Road hosts the Newcastle Literary Salon on the last Wednesday of every month, upstairs in a cosy, welcoming room. It's spoken word rather than music: featured performers give readings on a monthly theme, and the rest of the night is open mic space for everyone, with poems of any topic and length welcome. It starts at 7pm and it's free to come along, whether you're reading or listening.
Sign-up process
Sign-up on arrival at the venue - walk-in, no advance booking. It's a monthly night rather than a weekly one, so turn up early if you want to be sure of a slot.
What to expect
Newcastle audiences are warm and generous, and this one draws students, locals and touring performers in roughly equal measure. Bring a poem, or bring nothing and just listen.
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 Bar Loco’s Wednesday night runs.
18:30Sign-up
19:00Kick-off
00:00Venue closes
Every last Wednesday of the month 10-min slots Free entry
Find Bar Loco
22 Leazes Park Road, Leazes Park Rd, Newcastle NE1 4PG
Planning Your Wednesday Night
Arrive by 18:30 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 Newcastle 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 Newcastle's Bar Loco open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 18:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Newcastle open mic nights for alternatives.
PA + vocal mic provided. BYO instrument and amp.
10 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Newcastle mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
22 Leazes Park Road, Leazes Park Rd, Newcastle NE1 4PG.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Newcastle regulars across the Newcastle open mic scene. Newcastle open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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