The Habit is a cafe bar at 40 Goodramgate on York's oldest residential street (YO1 7LF) — the name nods to the building's history as a home for local monks, with the structure dating to at least the 16th century. Bands and singers take the mic five nights a week: an open mic on Wednesday (8pm to midnight), a regular country/Americana night on Thursday, and rotating guest artists on Friday and Saturday from 9pm. It has built a strong reputation for live music and actively supports local artists, both musicians and painters. Around 150 capacity with a house PA and guitar amp, welcoming originals and covers across acoustic, country, Americana and singer-songwriter sets.
Goodramgate · Every Wednesday · Free
The Habit Open Mic
York's Thursday-night free open mic at 4 Goodramgate, YO1 7LQ — historic-quarter bar, PA + guitar amp, 12-minute slots.
Open mic at a glance The Habit · York
Wednesday
Open mic night
Apr 2026
Listed since
03 Jun
Last verified
Free
Entry
12 min
Slot length
Verified
Listing status
Run a York open mic? List it free — verified within 48 hours
Last updated: 3 June 2026
The Habit Open Mic — Quick Facts
York's Thursday-night free open mic at 4 Goodramgate, YO1 7LQ — historic-quarter bar, PA + guitar amp, 12-minute slots.
✓ Verified activeLast verified
The Details
Everything you need before you turn up
DayWednesday
Start20:30
Sign-up19:30 walk-in
Slot length12 min
EntryFree · 18+
Capacityc. 70 standing
Performer typesMusic · Poetry
Sound engineerBYO / hire on the night
View on map
Where
The Habit4 Goodramgate
Goodramgate
York YO1 7LF
Goodramgate, York — check venue website for parking and nearest station.
Highlights
Free entry for all
PA system provided
Walk-in sign-up
Music, Poetry 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 Habit
About This Open Mic
Every Wednesday in Goodramgate, York
Kicks off at 20:30, sign-up from 19:30
Free entry for performers and audience
12-minute slots
PA provided — BYO instrument
Part of the York open mic directory
The Night
The Habit is a small, much-loved cafe-bar in the historic core of York on Goodramgate. Its open mic runs every Wednesday at 8:30pm, hosted by Simon Snaize — an intimate, welcoming room that suits singer-songwriters and acoustic acts. (Thursday evenings are Simon's own country/Americana live set rather than an open mic, so Wednesday is the night to bring your guitar.) Free to play.
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 The Habit’s Wednesday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
20:30Kick-off
23:00Last songs
Every Wednesday 12-min slots Free entry
Find The Habit
4 Goodramgate, Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF
Planning Your Wednesday Night
Arrive by 19:30 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until 23:00. A PA is provided — bring your own instrument and amp.
Part of the York live music scene.
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Try the Rate CalculatorCommon Questions
Seven things people ask before turning up at York's The Habit 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.
12 minutes per act — typically 3 songs solo.
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.
4 Goodramgate, Goodramgate, York YO1 7LF.
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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