The Social is a lively bar and music venue at 21 Lower Banister Street, Southampton (SO15 2EH), known for cocktails, friendly staff and a buzzing atmosphere. It runs regular live music and DJ nights and is listed as a live-music venue with Music in the City Southampton (tagline 'We will rock you!', free earplugs provided). Beyond the main bar and a private lounge, it has a full club space above — 'The Loft' — with its own stage, lighting, entrance, toilets and bar, available for hire for gigs, club nights and parties, with a maximum capacity of around 300. An outdoor heated terrace rounds out the offer.
Banister Park · Every Wednesday · Free
The Social Open Mic
Southampton open mic at The Social — listed on Google Places. Schedule below pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
Open mic at a glance The Social · Southampton
Wednesday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Verified
Listing status
Run a Southampton open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Social Open Mic — Quick Facts
Southampton open mic at The Social — listed on Google Places. Schedule below pending venue confirmation; check the venue's own listings before turning up.
✓ Verified activeLast verified
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayWednesday
Start19:30
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
The Social21 Lower Banister St
Banister Park
Southampton SO15 2EH
Banister Park, Southampton — 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 The Social
About This Open Mic
Every Wednesday in Banister Park, Southampton
Kicks off at 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
12-minute slots
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the Southampton open mic directory
The Night
The Social on Lower Banister Street runs Buskin, a Wednesday-night open mic that's become a fixture on Southampton's acoustic scene. Sign-up opens from 7:30pm and the night is open to all — a different musical host takes the reins each week and will happily back singers on guitar so you're never up there alone. Expect a relaxed, ambient room, a strong turnout of local vocal and guitar talent, and drinks deals to keep the evening going. Free to play; just turn up and put your name 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 Social’s Wednesday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
19:30Kick-off
00:00Venue closes
Every Wednesday 12-min slots Free entry
Find The Social
21 Lower Banister St, Banister Park, Southampton SO15 2EH
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 Southampton 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 Southampton's The Social open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Southampton 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 Southampton 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 Lower Banister St, Banister Park, Southampton SO15 2EH.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Southampton regulars across the Southampton open mic scene. Southampton open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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