The Blue Boar is a historic pub at 5 Castlegate in the heart of York — once voted VisitYork's best pub — with a quaint, atmospheric basement room of comfy sofas that hosts most of its live music and events, plus acts playing upstairs and music piped through from the cellar. Live performance is a near-nightly fixture across the weekend: live acoustic music every Friday, live bands every Saturday evening from 8pm, and an open mic night from 4pm every Sunday, with a free pint thrown in for every performer. With its in-house PA, the leaning is towards acoustic, folk and singer-songwriter sets in an intimate, characterful setting. As always, it's worth checking ahead, as listings can change.
York · Every Tuesday · Free
Blue Boar Open Mic
Weekly open mic night at Blue Boar in York, featuring a full PA system and free entry every Tuesday from 8pm.
Open mic at a glance Blue Boar · York
Tuesday
Open mic night
May 2026
Listed since
22 Jul
Last verified
Free
Entry
19:30
Sign-up time
Community
Listing status
Run a York open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 2 June 2026
Blue Boar Open Mic — Quick Facts
Weekly open mic night at Blue Boar in York, featuring a full PA system and free entry every Tuesday from 8pm.
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The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayTuesday
Start20:00
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length–
EntryFree · 18+
Capacity–
Performer typesMusic
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
Blue Boar5 Castlegate
York YO1 9RN
York — 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.
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About Blue Boar
About This Open Mic
Every Tuesday in York
Kicks off at 20:00, sign-up from 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
Slot length — we’re on it, no info yet
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the York open mic directory
The Night
Blue Boar in York hosts a weekly open mic on Tuesday evenings. This traditional pub offers a welcoming atmosphere for performers and audience alike.
Sign-up process
Performers can sign up in person from 7:30 PM on the night.
Getting there
5 Castlegate, YO1 9RN.
The venue
A traditional pub. The event is 18+. Features a full PA system for performers. Food is served until 9 PM.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA + monitors
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
2 vocal mics
In-house engineer
The Night at a Glance
How Blue Boar’s Tuesday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:00Kick-off
23:00Venue closes
Every Tuesday Free entry
Find Blue Boar
5 Castlegate, York YO1 9RN
Planning Your Tuesday 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 York 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 York's Blue Boar open mic.
Walk-in sign-up only, opens at 19:30. Arrive early — slots fill on the night. See other York 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 York mics are free; browse the list.
Solo and duo acts work best given the gear available; ask the host before bringing a full band.
5 Castlegate, York YO1 9RN.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and York regulars across the York open mic scene. York open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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