The Continental is Preston's indie-culture destination — a riverside pub on South Meadow Lane (PR1 8JP), just out of the town centre, that draws visitors from across Lancashire. Alongside its bar, restaurant and beer garden by the river it runs a busy year-round events programme through the adjoining venue 'The Boatyard', which stages live music, theatre, literature, comedy, arts, festivals and fortnightly film screenings. The venue also hosts open-mic and poetry nights, book clubs and creative-writing classes, and offers step-free access throughout. Programming spans indie, folk, rock, acoustic and tribute acts.
Preston · Every 1st Thursday of the month · No fee listed
Preston open mic at New Continental — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
Next night: Thu 3 Dec. Kick-off 20:30, sign-up from 19:30. 12-minute slots. No fee listed.
Nearby open micsUpdated 13 November 2026
Thursdays
| Night | Every 1st Thursday of the month |
| Sign-up | 19:30 walk-in |
| Slot | 12 min |
| Entry | No fee listed · 18+ |
| Backline | PA provided |
| Capacity | – |
| Performer types | Musicians · Comedians · Poets |
| Website | newcontinental.net |
| Status | Verified running |
| Last checked | 21 Aug 2026 |
| Checked against | Venue website |
Preston PR1 8JP
The nearest station is Preston (rail station), about 10 minutes' walk away.
| PA system | Provided |
| Drum kit | TBC |
| Guitar amp | TBC |
| Bass amp | TBC |
| Keys / keyboard | TBC |
| Vocal mics | TBC |
| In-house engineer | TBC |
The Continental is one of Preston's best-loved indie venues on South Meadow Lane, and its open mic lands on the first Thursday of every month, 8.30pm to 11pm, free entry (next one Thursday 3 September 2026). Hosted by Typhaine & Colin, it's an all-comers night — you can sing, play guitar, try stand-up or read spoken word — so it draws a genuinely mixed, welcoming crowd, and the venue bills it as the friendliest open mic in town. Drop the venue a line at info@newcontinental.net to confirm sign-up details before you head down.
The Continental is Preston's indie-culture destination — a riverside pub on South Meadow Lane (PR1 8JP), just out of the town centre, that draws visitors from across Lancashire. Alongside its bar, restaurant and beer garden by the river it runs a busy year-round events programme through the adjoining venue 'The Boatyard', which stages live music, theatre, literature, comedy, arts, festivals and fortnightly film screenings. The venue also hosts open-mic and poetry nights, book clubs and creative-writing classes, and offers step-free access throughout. Programming spans indie, folk, rock, acoustic and tribute acts.
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New Continental Open Mic
Preston open mic at New Continental — listed on Google Places. Schedule details below are pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
- Thursday
- Open mic night
- Apr 2026
- Listed since
- 21 Aug
- Last verified
- No fee
- Entry
- 12 min
- Slot length
- Verified
- Listing status
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Last updated: 13 November 2026
New Continental Open Mic — Quick Facts
New Continental Open Mic runs on the 1st Thursday of the month at New Continental in Preston, starting at 20:30 with sign-up from 19:30. Below: when it runs, sign-up and slots, the stage kit and how to get there.

The night starts at 20:30 and runs to about 23:00. It's walk-in sign-up, with the list opening at 19:30 - arrive early to get a slot. Slots run about 12 minutes - room for roughly 12 acts. There is a PA listed - ask what else is on stage before you load in.
What’s on in Preston this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About This Open Mic
The Continental is one of Preston's best-loved indie venues on South Meadow Lane, and its open mic lands on the first Thursday of every month, 8.30pm to 11pm, free entry (next one Thursday 3 September 2026). Hosted by Typhaine & Colin, it's an all-comers night — you can sing, play guitar, try stand-up or read spoken word — so it draws a genuinely mixed, welcoming crowd, and the venue bills it as the friendliest open mic in town. Drop the venue a line at info@newcontinental.net to confirm sign-up details before you head down.
Equipment and backline at this venue — what's on stage, verified regularly.
The Night at a Glance
How New Continental’s Thursday night runs.
Every 1st Thursday of the month
Thu 3 Dec · Thu 7 Jan · Thu 4 Feb
New Continental provides a PA system — check the rest with the venue.
Arrive for 19:30 to get your name on the list, tune up before you go on, and plan a set that fits 12 minutes.
Find New Continental
S Meadow Ln, Preston PR1 8JP
The nearest station is Preston (rail station), about 10 minutes' walk away. New Continental is in Preston — use PR1 8JP for sat-nav, taxis and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station before you set off.
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
Planning Your Thursday Night
Be there by 19:30 to put your name down. The open mic runs until about 23:00. New Continental provides a PA system — check the rest with the venue.
How much should paid gigs pay you? Most open mic musicians are ready sooner than they think — try the Rate Calculator for live UK rates by role, city and venue size. A night in the Preston live music scene.
Common Questions
9 questions people ask before going to Preston's New Continental open mic.
What’s On at New Continental
The gigs coming up at New Continental besides the open mic, from the GigXchange directory — each one links its listing.
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New Continental open mic in brief. The New Continental open mic runs every 1st Thursday of the month from 20:30 (no fee listed); sign-up opens 19:30 and slots run about 12 minutes. New Continental’s venue page has its kit and capacity if you want to come back with a full band. For another night this week, the open mics near Preston are listed by day.
Booking or playing in Preston? The GX Index publishes what UK gigs actually pay, by city, band size and venue type, and the GX Index reports set out the methodology and the sample behind every figure. Both are free to read and free to cite.
Keep exploring: the UK gig directory for what's coming up, the venue directory for rooms that book live music, the open mic finder for recurring stage time, and what's on across the UK this week. The blog covers pricing, contracts and getting booked, and about GigXchange explains who runs it and why. Something not right on this page? Tell us — or start on the home page.
Looking for paid gigs, not open mics? See Preston gigs or check the going rate.
Whatever - Oasis TributeSaturday, 14 November 2026
China CrisisFriday, 20 November 2026
Straighten Out: The #1 Stranglers TributeSaturday, 21 November 2026
Soul of the North - Northern Soul Day PartySunday, 22 November 2026
Beans on ToastWednesday, 25 November 2026
Whatever - Oasis TributeSaturday, 14 November 2026
China CrisisFriday, 20 November 2026
Straighten Out: The #1 Stranglers TributeSaturday, 21 November 2026
Soul of the North - Northern Soul Day PartySunday, 22 November 2026
Beans on ToastWednesday, 25 November 2026More dates at New Continental: Eclipse: The Pink Floyd Experience, Communiqué - Tribute to Dire Straits and John Bramwell of I Am Kloot.
Rooms near New Continental: 53 Degrees, Baker Street, Black Horse, Molly O'Malleys, Ships and Giggles, The Ferret, The Gables, The Northern Way Preston, The Station, Vinyl Tap Preston, Albion Ale House and Asylum.
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