The Red Deer is a cosy, traditional city-centre pub at 18 Pitt Street in Sheffield (S1), known for superbly kept real ales and home-cooked food with vegan and gluten-free options. Live music has returned as a regular feature, with Saturday-night sets and a folk/acoustic leaning — musicians from the city's folk-club scene have played here. Beyond music it runs beer festivals, comedy and quizzes, has an open fire, board games, outside seating and function rooms, and is dog- and child-friendly. With a house PA welcoming both originals and covers, it's a warm, characterful grassroots stop near the universities.
Sheffield · Every Thursday · Free
The Red Deer Open Mic
Sheffield's thursday open mic.
Open mic at a glance The Red Deer · Sheffield
Thursday
Open mic night
May 2026
Listed since
03 Aug
Last verified
Free
Entry
—
Sign-up time
Community
Listing status
Run a Sheffield open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Red Deer Open Mic — Quick Facts
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayThursday
Start20:00
Sign-up walk-in
Slot length–
EntryFree · all ages
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
The Red DeerSheffield
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 The Red Deer
About This Open Mic
Every Thursday 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
The Red Deer on Pitt Street is one of Sheffield's friendliest cask-ale pubs, a fixture of the city's pub scene for nearly two centuries, with well-kept real ales and home-cooked food (vegan and gluten-free options too). After a change of landlord in 2024 its open mic was relaunched on Thursday nights, and there's a dedicated 'Open Mic Night at The Red Deer' Facebook page for line-ups. It's a relaxed, welcoming room — check the Facebook page for the next date before you head down.
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 The Red Deer’s Thursday night runs.
20:00Kick-off
23:00Venue closes
Every Thursday Free entry
Find The Red Deer
Sheffield
Planning Your Thursday 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 The Red Deer 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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