The Cluny is a landmark independent music venue, bar, cafe and theatre in Newcastle's Ouseburn Valley (36 Lime Street, NE1 2PQ), housed in a converted Victorian whisky-bottling warehouse and widely described as one of the most important venues for breaking bands in the region. It hosts touring and emerging acts most nights of the week — evening gigs generally start at 8pm with an 18+ restriction — across rock, indie, alternative, folk and pop, on a stage with a full backline and in-house engineering. Capacity is around 300. It books both original and covers material and is a cornerstone of the North East grassroots circuit.
Ouseburn · Every Monday · Free
The Cluny Open Mic
Newcastle's Monday-night free open mic at 36 Lime Street, NE1 2PQ — Ouseburn institution, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
Open mic at a glance The Cluny · Newcastle
Monday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Community
Listing status
Run a Newcastle open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Cluny Open Mic — Quick Facts
Newcastle's Monday-night free open mic at 36 Lime Street, NE1 2PQ — Ouseburn institution, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayMonday
Start20:00
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacityc. 250 standing
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerIn-house, included
View on map
Where
The Cluny36 Lime Street
Ouseburn
Newcastle NE1 2PQ
Ouseburn, Newcastle — 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
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About The Cluny
About This Open Mic
Every Monday in Ouseburn, Newcastle
Kicks off at 20:00, sign-up from 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
12-minute slots
Full backline on stage
Part of the Newcastle open mic directory
The Night
The Cluny is Ouseburn's flagship independent music venue. Monday open mic uses the main stage with full backline.
180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
36 Lime Street, NE1 2PQ. 15 minutes' walk from Newcastle Rail. Buses 1, 12 stop on Stoddart Street.
The venue
Large Ouseburn music venue. 18+. Capacity c. 250.
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 Cluny’s Monday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
23:00Last songs
Every Monday 12-min slots Free entry
Find The Cluny
36 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle NE1 2PQ
Planning Your Monday 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 Newcastle live music scene.
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Try the Rate CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Newcastle's The Cluny 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.
Full backline: drum kit, guitar amp, bass amp, vocal mics, plus an in-house sound engineer. Bring your own instrument and pedals.
12 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Newcastle mics are free; browse the list.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
36 Lime Street, Ouseburn, Newcastle NE1 2PQ.
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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