The Carlton Tavern is a community local on Hartington Street in Chester with a full programme of real ale, sport and regular live music. Tuesday is open mic night, where guest musicians take the stage to play their chosen style and pick up a free drink for their trouble. It's a welcoming, well-regarded Hydes brewery pub that keeps the grassroots scene ticking over.
Handbridge · Every Tuesday · Free
The Carlton Tavern Open Mic
Handbridge's tuesday open mic.
Open mic at a glance The Carlton Tavern · Chester
Tuesday
Open mic night
Jun 2026
Listed since
18 Jul
Last verified
Free
Entry
—
Sign-up time
Verified
Listing status
Run a Chester open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 18 July 2026
The Carlton Tavern Open Mic — Quick Facts
✓ Verified activeLast verified
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayTuesday
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 Carlton TavernHandbridge
Chester
Handbridge, Chester — 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
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 Carlton Tavern
About This Open Mic
Every Tuesday in Handbridge, Chester
Kicks off at 20:00
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 Chester open mic directory
The Night
The Carlton Tavern in Handbridge, Chester runs an open mic every Tuesday with a different host each week, so the vibe and feel shifts from one session to the next. It's a free, walk-in night where every performer gets a free drink, plus toasted snacks for players and audience alike. A welcoming neighbourhood-pub open mic that keeps things fresh with its rotating hosts.
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 Carlton Tavern’s Tuesday night runs.
20:00Kick-off
23:00Venue closes
Every Tuesday Free entry
Find The Carlton Tavern
Handbridge, Chester
Planning Your Tuesday 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 Chester 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 Chester's The Carlton Tavern open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at . Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other Chester 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 Chester mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
Handbridge, Chester.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Chester regulars across the Chester open mic scene. Chester open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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