Shakespeare's is a restored Georgian coaching inn at 146-148 Gibraltar Street in Sheffield's West Bar, rescued from closure and reopened in July 2011 by a real-ale and music fan. It's a cornerstone of Sheffield's independent music scene on two levels: the Bards Bar upstairs is a stronghold for up-and-coming live acts and indie/punk nights, while regular folk runs downstairs — Reg & Friends' open folk session every Wednesday and Crazy Crow traditional Gaelic folk every other Tuesday. The bar is equally famous for its real ale, serving over 300 different beers in its first six months back and always featuring Sheffield LocAle. A proper grassroots room for folk, indie and punk.
Sheffield · Every Wednesday · Free
Shakespeare's Open Mic
Sheffield's wednesday open mic.
Open mic at a glance Shakespeare's · Sheffield
Wednesday
Open mic night
May 2026
Listed since
27 Jul
Last verified
Free
Entry
—
Sign-up time
Community
Listing status
Run a Sheffield open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 2 June 2026
Shakespeare's Open Mic — Quick Facts
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayWednesday
Start20:00
Sign-up walk-in
Slot length–
EntryFree · all ages
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
Shakespeare'sSheffield
Sheffield — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Contact
Walk-in sign-up only
No advance booking
Host: in-house team
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.
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About Shakespeare's
About This Open Mic
Every Wednesday in Sheffield
Kicks off at 20:00
Free entry for performers and audience
Slot length — we’re on it, no info yet
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the Sheffield open mic directory
The Night
Shakespeare's on Gibraltar Street is one of Sheffield's oldest and finest traditional pubs (standing since the 1830s), with an upstairs Bard's Bar that hosts gigs, indie/punk nights and folk sessions. The former Shakey Open Mic Night appears to have stopped, the listing hasn't been confirmed in over two years, so don't rely on a regular open mic here without checking first.
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 Shakespeare's’s Wednesday night runs.
20:00Kick-off
00:00Venue closes
Every Wednesday Free entry
Find Shakespeare's
Sheffield
Planning Your Wednesday Night
Arrive early 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 Sheffield 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 Sheffield's Shakespeare's open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at . Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Sheffield open mic nights for alternatives.
PA + vocal mic provided. BYO instrument and amp.
Slot length varies — check with the host.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Sheffield mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Sheffield regulars across the Sheffield open mic scene. Sheffield open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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