South Street Arts Centre is Reading's intimate council-run arts venue at 21 South Street, programming critically acclaimed touring theatre, music, comedy and spoken word. It runs two flexible spaces: the Main Theatre, which holds up to 210 standing (or 140 seated with a 4m stage configured for music and comedy), and the smaller MacDevitts Studio at 80 standing / 60 seated. The rooms reconfigure for cabaret, raked seating or standing gigs, giving touring and local artists a genuinely versatile platform across a wide range of genres. A long-standing fixture of Reading's live circuit, supporting both original work and covers.
Reading · Every Wednesday · Free
South Street Arts Centre Open Mic
Reading open mic at South Street Arts Centre — listed on Google Places. Schedule below pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
Open mic at a glance South Street Arts Centre · Reading
Wednesday
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
South Street Arts Centre Open Mic — Quick Facts
Reading open mic at South Street Arts Centre — listed on Google Places. Schedule below pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayWednesday
Start20:00
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
South Street Arts Centre21 South St
Reading RG1 4QU
Reading — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Highlights
Free entry for all
PA system provided
Walk-in sign-up
Music welcome
How do you rate this open mic?One tap, no sign-up required.
Spotted something wrong with this listing?Closed, moved night, different start time? Let us know and we'll re-verify within 48 hours.
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About South Street Arts Centre
About This Open Mic
Every Wednesday in Reading
Kicks off at 20:00, sign-up from 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
12-minute slots
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the Reading open mic directory
The Night
South Street Arts Centre is listed on Google Places as hosting open mic nights in Reading. We've verified the venue exists at the address below; the day, start time and slot length still need direct confirmation from the venue.
Getting there
21 South St, Reading RG1 4QU.
Photos
Four photos sourced from Google Places contributors are shown above the map.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA + monitors
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
Vocal mics
In-house engineer
The Night at a Glance
How South Street Arts Centre’s Wednesday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
16:00Venue closes
Every Wednesday 12-min slots Free entry
Find South Street Arts Centre
21 South St, Reading RG1 4QU
Planning Your Wednesday Night
Arrive by 19:30 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until late. A PA is provided — bring your own instrument and amp.
Part of the Reading live music scene.
What should you charge for paid gigs?Most open mic musicians are ready for paid work sooner than they think. Check live UK rates by role, city, and venue size.
Try the Rate CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at Reading's South Street Arts Centre 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.
PA + vocal mic provided. BYO instrument and amp.
12 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Reading mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
21 South St, Reading RG1 4QU.
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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