The Purple Turtle at 9 Gun Street, Reading (RG1 2JR) is a Reading institution — a late-licence bar and live-music venue trading for over three decades (first opening in 1990, moving to Gun Street in 1997). It runs live music every week, hosts BBC Introducing in Berkshire and the Berkshire Electronic Music Open Mic (EMOM), and keeps an underground basement for club nights, open until 3am Sun–Thu and 3:30am Fri/Sat. A full-backline room with an in-house engineer and a long-standing home for the town's grassroots and emerging acts.
Reading · Open mic · Closed
Purple Turtle Open Mic
This open mic has stopped running. Here's where to play in Reading instead.
Last checked 22 Aug 2026.
Still running nearbyUpdated 13 November 2026
Status
Checked 22 Aug 2026CLOSED
No longer
running
running
The check
| Status | Stopped |
| Last checked | 22 Aug 2026 |
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01 — Inside the room
6 photosPhotos: Google
02 — About
City Centre, ReadingAbout the venue
The Purple Turtle at 9 Gun Street, Reading (RG1 2JR) is a Reading institution — a late-licence bar and live-music venue trading for over three decades (first opening in 1990, moving to Gun Street in 1997). It runs live music every week, hosts BBC Introducing in Berkshire and the Berkshire Electronic Music Open Mic (EMOM), and keeps an underground basement for club nights, open until 3am Sun–Thu and 3:30am Fri/Sat. A full-backline room with an in-house engineer and a long-standing home for the town's grassroots and emerging acts.
03 — Find Purple Turtle
City CentreGetting there
9 Gun Street,
City Centre, Reading RG1 2JR
City Centre, Reading RG1 2JR
The nearest station is Reading (rail station), about 10 minutes' walk away.
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04 — Still running in Reading
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City Centre · Closed
Purple Turtle Open Mic
This open mic has stopped running. Here's where to play in Reading instead.
Seen it running?
Open mic status CLOSED
Was the nightEvery Mondayfrom 20:00
Last checked22 Aug 2026re-checked on a rolling cycle
Still running12 nearbyopen mics in Reading
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Last updated: 13 November 2026
Purple Turtle Open Mic Has Stopped
We checked and this night is no longer running. If you’ve seen it on lately, tell us below and we’ll re-check it.
This open mic has stopped runningSeen it running lately?Checked · 10 seconds, no signup
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About Purple Turtle
Photo: Google
Photo: Google
Photo: Google
Photo: Google
Photo: Google
Photo: Google
Photo: Google
Photo: Google 1 / 3
Find Purple Turtle
9 Gun Street, City Centre, Reading RG1 2JR
Address9 Gun Street
AreaCity Centre, Reading
PostcodeRG1 2JR
DirectionsOpen in Google Maps →
Getting there
The nearest station is Reading (rail station), about 10 minutes' walk away. Purple Turtle is in City Centre, Reading — use RG1 2JR for sat-nav, taxis and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station before you set off.
Open mics nearby
Corn Exchange, The Rising Sun Arts Centre, The Plough and The New Inn
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
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