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.
City Centre · Every Monday · Free
Purple Turtle Open Mic
Reading's Monday-night free open mic at 9 Gun Street, RG1 2JR — late-licence music bar, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
Open mic at a glance Purple Turtle · Reading
Monday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Community
Listing status
Run a Reading open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
Purple Turtle Open Mic — Quick Facts
Reading's Monday-night free open mic at 9 Gun Street, RG1 2JR — late-licence music bar, 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
Purple Turtle9 Gun Street
City Centre
Reading RG1 2JR
City Centre, Reading — 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 Purple Turtle
About This Open Mic
Every Monday in City Centre, Reading
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 Reading open mic directory
The Night
Purple Turtle is Reading's longest-running late-night music bar. Monday open mic uses the main stage — full PA, full backline, real engineer.
180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
9 Gun Street, RG1 2JR. 8 minutes from Reading Rail.
The venue
Single big bar with a stage. 18+. Capacity c. 250. Late licence.
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 Purple Turtle’s Monday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
23:00Last songs
03:00Venue closes
Every Monday 12-min slots Free entry
Find Purple Turtle
9 Gun Street, City Centre, Reading RG1 2JR
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 Reading live music scene.
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Try the Rate CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Reading's Purple Turtle open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Reading 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 Reading mics are free; browse the list.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
9 Gun Street, City Centre, Reading RG1 2JR.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Reading regulars across the Reading open mic scene. Reading open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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