The Retreat is Reading's favourite backstreet pub for real-ale and live-music lovers — an unspoilt terraced Victorian former beer-house at 8 St John's Street (RG1 4EH), trading since 1875 and one of only two Reading pubs on CAMRA's Historic Pub Interiors heritage list. It's a cask-ale specialist and the city's home of jazz, blues and live music, with regular gig nights and jazz typically on the last Sunday of the month. Intimate (around 50 capacity) and community-spirited, it's open Mon-Thu 4.30-11pm and weekends from noon.
City Centre · Every Thursday · Free
The Retreat Open Mic
Reading's Thursday-night free folk open mic at 8 St John's Street, RG1 4EH — real-ale pub, PA + guitar amp, 15-minute slots.
Open mic at a glance The Retreat · Reading
Thursday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
15 min
Slot length
Community
Listing status
Run a Reading open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Retreat Open Mic — Quick Facts
Reading's Thursday-night free folk open mic at 8 St John's Street, RG1 4EH — real-ale pub, PA + guitar amp, 15-minute slots.
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayThursday
Start20:00
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length15 min
EntryFree · all ages
Capacityc. 50 standing
Performer typesMusic · Folk
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
The Retreat8 St John's Street
City Centre
Reading RG1 4EH
City Centre, Reading — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Highlights
Free entry for all
PA system provided
Walk-in sign-up
Music, Folk 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 The Retreat
About This Open Mic
Every Thursday in City Centre, Reading
Kicks off at 20:00, sign-up from 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
15-minute slots
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the Reading open mic directory
The Night
The Retreat is a small Reading real-ale pub with a Thursday folk-leaning open mic. Solo songwriters and duos dominate.
180 minutes, 12 acts at 15 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
8 St John's Street, RG1 4EH. 12 minutes from Reading Rail.
The venue
Single small room. All ages until 9pm. Capacity c. 50.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA + monitors
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
2 vocal mics
In-house engineer
The Night at a Glance
How The Retreat’s Thursday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
23:00Last songs
Every Thursday 15-min slots Free entry
Find The Retreat
8 St John's Street, City Centre, Reading RG1 4EH
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. 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 The Retreat 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.
15 minutes per act — typically 4 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.
8 St John's Street, City Centre, Reading RG1 4EH.
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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