The Washington is a music-led corner pub on the edge of Sheffield's Devonshire Quarter at 79 Fitzwilliam Street (S1 4JP). It has hosted sweaty side-room gigs since the 1970s and is woven into the city's musical mythology — a notorious haunt of The Human League and Pulp (Pulp drummer Nick Banks even did a stint as landlord), and long associated with the Arctic Monkeys' early scene. With a late licence running to 3am, the room puts on live bands from the Sheffield circuit plus resident DJs Wednesday to Saturday. Roughly 150 capacity, full backline and an in-house engineer make it a genuine grassroots stage for originals and covers. Contact info@thewashington.pub or 0114 276 1960.
Sheffield · Every Monday · No fee listed
The Washington Open Mic
Sheffield's Monday-night free open mic at 79 Fitzwilliam Street, S1 4JP — Arctic Monkeys' old haunt, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
Next night: Mon 16 Nov. Kick-off 20:00. No fee listed.
Nearby open micsUpdated 13 November 2026
At a glance
Checked 24 Sept 202620:00
Kick-off
Mondays
sign-up on the nightMondays
| Night | Every Monday |
| Sign-up | Ask the host |
| Slot | Ask the host |
| Entry | No fee listed · 18+ |
| Backline | Full backline |
01 — Inside the room
4 photosPhotos: Google
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0 members voted to bring the venue onto GigXchange02 — The details
Before you goEverything you need to know
0
Member votes
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| Capacity | c. 150 standing |
| Performer types | Musicians |
| Website | thewashington.pub |
The check
| Status | Being verified |
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03 — The night
Every MondayHow the night runs
20:00
Kick-off
MondaysRunning order
20:00 Kick-off
23:00 Last songs
03:00 Venue closes
04 — Find The Washington
City CentreGetting there
79 Fitzwilliam Street,
City Centre, Sheffield S1 4JP
City Centre, Sheffield S1 4JP
The nearest station is Netherthorpe Road Subway to Trams (tram stop), about 10 minutes' walk away.
05 — What's on stage
6 provided| PA system | Provided |
| Drum kit | Provided |
| Guitar amp | Provided |
| Bass amp | Provided |
| Keys / keyboard | Bring your own |
| 3 vocal mics | Provided |
| In-house engineer | Provided |
06 — About
City Centre, SheffieldAbout the night
The Washington is the Arctic Monkeys' old local — they wrote a chunk of the first album in this pub. The Monday open mic uses the back stage and pulls a serious indie/alt crowd.
180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
79 Fitzwilliam Street, S1 4JP. 12 minutes from Sheffield Rail.
The venue
Two-room pub with a back music stage. 18+. Capacity c. 150.
The Washington is a music-led corner pub on the edge of Sheffield's Devonshire Quarter at 79 Fitzwilliam Street (S1 4JP). It has hosted sweaty side-room gigs since the 1970s and is woven into the city's musical mythology — a notorious haunt of The Human League and Pulp (Pulp drummer Nick Banks even did a stint as landlord), and long associated with the Arctic Monkeys' early scene. With a late licence running to 3am, the room puts on live bands from the Sheffield circuit plus resident DJs Wednesday to Saturday. Roughly 150 capacity, full backline and an in-house engineer make it a genuine grassroots stage for originals and covers. Contact info@thewashington.pub or 0114 276 1960.
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City Centre · Every Monday
The Washington Open Mic
Sheffield's Monday-night free open mic at 79 Fitzwilliam Street, S1 4JP — Arctic Monkeys' old haunt, full backline, in-house engineer, 12-minute slots.
- Monday
- Open mic night
- Apr 2026
- Listed since
- 24 Sept
- Last checked
- No fee
- Entry
- —
- Sign-up time
- Community
- Listing status
Run a Sheffield open mic? List it free — reviewed before it goes live
Last updated: 13 November 2026
The Washington Open Mic — Quick Facts
The Washington Open Mic runs on Mondays at The Washington in Sheffield, starting at 20:00. Below: when it runs, sign-up and slots, the stage kit and how to get there.
Open mic status Last checked 24 Sept 2026
How sure we are
Partly verified
The night starts at 20:00 and runs to about 23:00. Full backline is listed, so you can travel light - bring your instrument, pedals and breakables.
Next nightMon 16 Nov · 20:00Starts in 3d 12h 23m
Age18+
Capacityc. 150 standing
BacklineFull backline
Sound engineerIn-house, included
Directory statusBeing verified
Member votes0 to get the venue on GigXchange
Websitethewashington.pub
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. We review corrections within 7 days.
NightMondayEvery MondayNext: Mon 16 Nov
Starts20:00until 23:00
Sign-upTBCsign-upNot confirmed yet
SlotsTBCslot lengthNot confirmed yet
What’s on in Sheffield this week — or see what’s on across the UK.
About This Open Mic
The Washington is the Arctic Monkeys' old local — they wrote a chunk of the first album in this pub. The Monday open mic uses the back stage and pulls a serious indie/alt crowd.
180 minutes, 15 acts at 12 minutes.
Sign-up process
Sheet at the bar at 7:30pm. Walk-in.
Getting there
79 Fitzwilliam Street, S1 4JP. 12 minutes from Sheffield Rail.
The venue
Two-room pub with a back music stage. 18+. Capacity c. 150.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA systemProvided
Drum kitProvided
Guitar ampProvided
Bass ampProvided
Keys / keyboardBring your own
3 vocal micsProvided
In-house engineerProvided
The Night at a Glance
How The Washington’s Monday night runs.
Next nightMon 16 Nov · 20:00Starts in 3d 12h 23m
Kick-off20:00Every Monday
Music ends23:00Last act finishes
Venue closes03:00The listed closing time
How often
Every Monday
Coming up
Mon 16 Nov · Mon 23 Nov · Mon 30 Nov
Kit
The Washington provides a PA system, 3 vocal mics, a drum kit, a guitar amp, a bass amp and an in-house sound engineer; bring your own keys.
First time here?
Arrive early to get your name on the list, tune up before you go on.
Find The Washington
79 Fitzwilliam Street, City Centre, Sheffield S1 4JP
Address79 Fitzwilliam Street
AreaCity Centre, Sheffield
PostcodeS1 4JP
DirectionsOpen in Google Maps →
Getting there
The nearest station is Netherthorpe Road Subway to Trams (tram stop), about 10 minutes' walk away. The Washington is in City Centre, Sheffield — use S1 4JP for sat-nav, taxis and ride apps. Check the venue's website for parking and the nearest station before you set off.
Open mics nearby
The Victoria Inn, Cawthorne Club, Portland House and Neptune Beer Emporium
Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport (Open Government Licence).
Planning Your Monday Night
Arrive early to sign up for a slot. The open mic runs until about 23:00. Full backline is provided — just bring your instrument and pedals.
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Common Questions
9 things people ask before turning up at Sheffield's The Washington open mic.
Sign-up via the venue. See all Sheffield open mic nights.
Full backline: drum kit, guitar amp, bass amp, PA and vocal mics, plus an in-house sound engineer. Bring your own instrument and pedals.
Slot length varies — check with the host.
No entry fee is listed for The Washington's open mic - most open mics are free to play and to watch, but check with the venue before you go. Browse Sheffield open mics.
Yes — full bands welcome and the backline is set up for it.
79 Fitzwilliam Street, City Centre, Sheffield S1 4JP.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Sheffield regulars across the Sheffield open mic scene. Sheffield open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
The nearest station is Netherthorpe Road Subway to Trams (tram stop), about 10 minutes' walk away. For sat-nav and taxis, the postcode is S1 4JP. (Station data: NaPTAN, Department for Transport, Open Government Licence.)
GigXchange doesn't publish venue phone numbers or emails - the venue's own website is linked on this page. Browse other Sheffield open mics.
Venues Near The Washington
No other gigs are listed at The Washington in the GigXchange directory yet — these are the rooms around it, their size, kit and live nights.
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See what’s on in Sheffield over the next four weeks →
The Washington open mic in brief. The Washington open mic runs every Monday from 20:00 (no fee listed). Coming back with a full band? The Washington’s venue page has its kit and capacity listed. For another night this week, the open mics near Sheffield are listed by day.
Booking or playing in Sheffield? The GX Index publishes what UK gigs actually pay, by city, band size and venue type, and the GX Index reports set out the methodology and the sample behind every figure. Both are free to read and free to cite.
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09 — More Sheffield open mics
All ›After paid gigs rather than open mics? See Sheffield gigs or check the going rate.
10 — Venues near The Washington
All ›More rooms near The Washington: The Frog & Parrot, Alder Bar Sheff, Arundel Emporium, Astoria Centre, Barnsley Civic, Barnsley Trades Club, Buxton Opera House, Cafe#9, Cawthorne Club, Chantry Brewery Tap n Venue and Corporation.
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