The Cove House Inn is a historic seafront pub in the village of Chiswell on the Isle of Portland, sitting right on the esplanade at the southern end of Chesil Beach. It is one of the best known pubs in the area for its view, with terraced outdoor seating looking out over the pebble bank and Lyme Bay. Inside it is a traditional two room pub with an open fire, real ales from local breweries and a kitchen strong on locally landed seafood. It is popular with divers, sailors and walkers, and the weekly Thursday folk night is a long standing fixture in the Weymouth and Portland acoustic scene.
Chiswell · Every Thursday · Free
The Cove House Inn Open Mic
Portland's weekly Thursday folk session at The Cove House Inn, DT5 1AW.
Open mic at a glance The Cove House Inn · Portland
Thursday
Open mic night
Sept 2026
Listed since
23 Sept
Last verified
Free
Entry
—
Sign-up time
Verified
Listing status
Run a Portland open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 23 September 2026
The Cove House Inn Open Mic — Quick Facts
Portland's weekly Thursday folk session at The Cove House Inn, DT5 1AW.
✓ Verified activeLast verified
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayThursday
Start19:30
Sign-up walk-in
Slot length–
EntryFree · all ages
Capacity–
Performer typesMusicians
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
The Cove House Inn91 Chiswell
Chiswell
Portland DT5 1AW
Chiswell, Portland — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Highlights
Free entry for all
Walk-in sign-up
Musicians 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 Cove House Inn
About This Open Mic
Every Thursday in Chiswell, Portland
Kicks off at 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
Slot length — we’re on it, no info yet
Gear & backline — we’re on it, no info yet
Part of the Portland open mic directory
The Night
The Cove House Inn runs a folk night every Thursday evening from 7.30pm in its bar overlooking Chesil Beach. It is an open, participatory session rather than a booked act, built mainly around traditional tunes with singers welcome to join in. The session has been running at the pub for well over a decade and anyone bringing an instrument can sit in. Just turn up on the night with whatever you play.
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 Cove House Inn’s Thursday night runs.
19:30Kick-off
22:30Venue closes
Every Thursday Free entry
Find The Cove House Inn
91 Chiswell, Chiswell, Portland DT5 1AW
Planning Your Thursday Night
Arrive early to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until late. Bring your own gear.
Part of the Portland live music scene.
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Seven things people ask before turning up at Portland's The Cove House Inn open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at . Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Portland open mic nights for alternatives.
BYO PA, mics and instruments.
Slot length varies — check with the host.
Yes — free entry for performers and audience. Most Portland mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
91 Chiswell, Chiswell, Portland DT5 1AW.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Portland regulars across the Portland open mic scene. Portland open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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