Blues Underground (also trading as Blues & Bourbon) is an American-style basement dive bar at 28b Nelson Street in central Newcastle upon Tyne (NE1 5AN). It is a dedicated live-music room with a steady diet of blues, roots and rock 'n' roll, hosting regular free-entry gigs from local and touring acts. The intimate underground space has a PA and welcomes both original performers and covers, making it a characterful grassroots stage in the heart of the city's nightlife.
Newcastle · Every Wednesday · Free
Blues Underground Open Mic
Newcastle open mic at Blues Underground — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
Open mic at a glance Blues Underground · Newcastle
Wednesday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
08 Aug
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Verified
Listing status
Run a Newcastle open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 8 August 2026
Blues Underground Open Mic — Quick Facts
Newcastle open mic at Blues Underground — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
✓ Verified activeLast verified
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayWednesday
Start20:00
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
Blues Underground28b Nelson St
Newcastle NE1 5AN
Newcastle — 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 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 Blues Underground
About This Open Mic
Every Wednesday in Newcastle
Kicks off at 20:00, sign-up from 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
12-minute slots
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the Newcastle open mic directory
The Night
Blues Underground is a basement blues bar on Nelson Street in Newcastle city centre — formerly Blues & Bourbon — where live music and proper drinks take centre stage, no frills attached. It runs live music every night alongside its open mic nights, in a room intimate enough that the stage is right on top of you. Expect a solid whisky and beer list and a crowd of local players.
Getting there
28b Nelson St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 5AN.
Photos
Four photos sourced from Google Places contributors are shown above the map.
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 Blues Underground’s Wednesday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
02:00Venue closes
Every Wednesday 12-min slots Free entry
Find Blues Underground
28b Nelson St, Newcastle NE1 5AN
Planning Your Wednesday Night
Arrive by 19:30 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 Blues Underground open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Newcastle open mic nights for alternatives.
PA + vocal mic provided. BYO instrument and amp.
12 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.
28b Nelson St, Newcastle NE1 5AN.
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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