The Tap & Tumbler is a long-standing rock bar in Nottingham city centre on Wollaton Street (NG1 5FA), with more than two decades of trading and a deep selection of gins, whiskeys and rums behind the bar. It is firmly part of the local grassroots circuit, with live music every week: a free open-mic night on Wednesdays and live bands across the weekend, leaning to rock, alternative and metal, plus a Monday quiz. The venue runs a full backline (drums, guitar and bass amps), an in-house sound engineer and a house PA, and welcomes both original material and covers.
City Centre · Every Thursday · Free
The Tap & Tumbler Open Mic
Nottingham's Thursday-night free open mic at 27 Wollaton Street, NG1 5FA — alternative music pub, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
Open mic at a glance The Tap & Tumbler · Nottingham
Thursday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Community
Listing status
Run a Nottingham open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Tap & Tumbler Open Mic — Quick Facts
Nottingham's Thursday-night free open mic at 27 Wollaton Street, NG1 5FA — alternative music pub, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayThursday
Start20:00
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacityc. 120 standing
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerIn-house, included
View on map
Where
The Tap & Tumbler27 Wollaton Street
City Centre
Nottingham NG1 5FA
City Centre, Nottingham — 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
How do you rate this open mic?One tap, no sign-up required.
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About The Tap & Tumbler
About This Open Mic
Every Thursday in City Centre, Nottingham
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 Nottingham open mic directory
The Night
The Tap & Tumbler is a Nottingham alternative music pub with a Thursday open mic. Full backline.
180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
27 Wollaton Street, NG1 5FA. 8 minutes from Nottingham Rail.
The venue
Alternative music pub. 18+. Capacity c. 120.
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 Tap & Tumbler’s Thursday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
23:00Last songs
Every Thursday 12-min slots Free entry
Find The Tap & Tumbler
27 Wollaton Street, City Centre, Nottingham NG1 5FA
Planning Your Thursday 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 Nottingham live music scene.
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Try the Rate CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Nottingham's The Tap & Tumbler open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Nottingham 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 Nottingham mics are free; browse the list.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
27 Wollaton Street, City Centre, Nottingham NG1 5FA.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Nottingham regulars across the Nottingham open mic scene. Nottingham open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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