Connecticut Open Mikes Updated on
8/19/2010
A very selected list.
If you don't mind driving, it is possible to perform at an open mike almost every
night of the week.
When
in doubt, check venue websites, or other internet directories and maps, for
directions, age
restrictions, admission fees, etc...
All bars in Connecticut are 21+. Always CALL FIRST
if you are driving a long distance.
Karaoke nights are not listed here. We do not
consider Karaoke to be an open mike. We also do not list
"poetry/spoken word only" open mikes.
Many of the listings are incomplete.
If you have attended one of these open mikes, we would welcome information on
the venue, the start/end times of the open mike, any PA equipment available, and
the type of music the audience wants to hear. Yeah, we could call all these
places ourselves, but we don't feel like it.
Just send an email to questions
[at]
ctlocalbands
[dot]
com. Let us know if you'd
like a credit for supplying the information.
Monday
Tuesday Wednesday
Thursday Friday
Saturday Sunday
Monday
Cafe Nine, 250 State St, New Haven CT
10:00pm - 1:00am
Advertised as "Beatnik 2000" Ed Leonard is the host. Not
quite an open mike where you can just show up and play. Sign-up in advance is
required, and that can be three months in advance. Yes, it is that popular.
Poetry and spoken word also welcome. Featured performer goes on around 12:00am. Multi-channel PA mixer. 18
inch speakers. Two stage monitors. Two microphones with stands and instrument cables provided.
Remember this is a bar. There is a lot of crowd noise, and a tendency
for the PA to be cranked too loud. If you need a quiet environment, or have
difficulty singing/playing while people are talking loudly in competition with
you, don't go. 203-789-8281
The Hungry Tiger, 120 Charter Oak Street, Manchester CT
9:00pm - 12:00am
Advertised as "blues jam" and "open mike." Different host
each week. Check website for schedule. Long, narrow stage across from the bar.
Multi-channel P.A. rack near stage. Four 12inch speakers hung from the ceiling.
Two floor monitors. Two microphones with stands and cables. (We did not see a
direct box.) Loudness is possible here. Sign-up sheet. State name and what
instrument you play. (The night we went the host
"assembled" bands from the various players signed up. There was a full
drum kit, bass amp, and two guitar amps, but we do not know if these belonged to
the club, or to individuals. There appears to be a group of regulars who show up
each week.) 860-649-1195 More info needed.
The Roaring Brook Nature Center, 70
Gracey Road, Canton CT 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Pay To Play. $5.00 cover charge. Held the fourth Monday of the month. Acoustic open mike.
Two songs per performer. Quiet audience. Soundman. Mikes and DI boxes. Featured performer varies.
860-693-0263
Sully's Pub, 2071 Park Street, Hartford CT 9:00pm
- 1:00am
Acoustic open mike. Sign-up sheet. Two-three songs per
performer. Decent sized stage, with lighting. Multi-channel P.A.
rack across from the stage. Three 12inch EV speakers with horns mounted off the
ceiling. Four 12inch floor monitors. Two 18inch Carvin woofers on the floor. Two microphones with stands,
direct box. Sully's is on Park Street in Hartford, one
block in from Prospect Ave. There isn't very much parking. Tiki bar outside in
nice weather. 860-231-8881
Union Street Tavern, Union Street, Windsor
CT 7:00pm-9:30pm
Danielle Emberly is the host and a performer. Sign-up sheet. Three songs per performer.
Multi-channel PA. 3 mikes with stands, instrument cables. Held in the rear dining room away from the main dining room and
the bar. Quiet
audience that is there to listen. Occasionally pre-empted by private
parties using the room. CALL FIRST! 860-683-2899
Tuesday
59 Bank Street, New Milford CT
8:30pm - 12:00am
Chris Ellis is the host and a
performer. Acoustic open mike. Sign-up sheet. Three songs per performer. Multi-channel PA. Two microphones with stands,
instrument cables. (Kitchen open until 10pm. Expensive food, small portions,
tastefully presented, however.) 860-350-5995
The Acoustic Cafe, 2926 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport CT
8:00pm - 12:00am
Pay To Play. $5.00 cover charge.
Original music only. 2 songs. Featured act at 9:00pm. This is a very small bar, with the walls painted black.
There is a good sized stage with lighting. Multi-channel PA mixer. 12 or
15 inch speakers with horns. 2 powered stage monitors. 2-3 mikes with stands are provided.
Direct boxes and a cable snake on the
stage. 203-335-3665
More info needed.
Corey's Catsup & Mustard: A
Burger Bar,
623 Main Street, Manchester CT
???pm - ???pm
Geoff Willard is host. Multi-channel PA. Two microphones with stands,
instrument cables. 2 12inch speakers on stands. Drink specials. 860-432-7755
More info needed.
City Limits, 2627 Thomaston Ave, Waterbury
CT 6:30pm - 9:00am
Eran Troy Danner is the host.
203-753-2233 More info needed.
The Frog Pond Sports Bar & Grill, 251 East Main Street, Stratford, CT
9:00pm - 12:30am
Open mike hosted by the rock trio
The Total Hacks.
(Shawn "Chewy" Chua, and Glen Masso on keyboards.) All styles of music welcome, as are original songs or covers. Multi-channel PA, mikes and stands. Also available, a 5 piece drum kit, a guitar amp, and a bass amp. High quality stereo recordings are available to interested performers. The kitchen is open and serves a full menu all night long. (203) 377-7868
The Georgetown Saloon,
8 Main Street, (RT107 & RT57,) Georgetown CT 7:30pm -
12:00am
Acoustic open mike. PA
and mikes provided. 203-544-8003 More info needed.
Hot Rod Cafe, 114 Bank
Street, New London CT ???pm - ???pm
First Tuesday of the month. 860-447-2320
More info needed.
The Huntington Street
Cafe, 90 Huntington Street, Shelton
CT 7:30pm - 12:00am
Jazz jam. 203-925-9064 More info needed.
Nirvana Health Bar and Coffee Shop,
Main Street, Torrington CT 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Acoustic open mike. Sign up sheet at the
open mike. Peavey Portable PA with four channels. Three mikes with stands.
Guitar cables. (PA provided by Barking Dog Guitar Traders next door to Nirvana.) You are very close to the
audience, and they are there to listen. Family friendly! Watch your
language! Pizza, smoothie drinks, coffee and teas available. 860-201-4904
The Space, 295 Treadwell Street, Hamden
CT 7:00pm - 11:00pm
Pay to play $5.00 cover charge.
Two songs or 10 minutes per
performer. Alcohol free performance space. No alcohol, not even in the parking lot.
Multi-channel PA, mikes, stands, monitors,
basic drum kit, bass and guitar amplifiers. A soundperson handles the mixing
board, and all the mike set up. Direct recording to CD
from the mixing board possible for a small fee. Check with the soundperson for
details. Feature act at 9:00pm. Soda, coffee, tea drinks,
and other food available. 203-288-6400
The Stonewall Tavern,
847 Stafford Road, RT 32, Eagleville, Mansfield
CT 9:00pm - 12:00am
860-487-9785. More
info needed.
Viva Zapata, 161 Park Street, New Haven CT 8:00pm -
???pm
Listed as "Acoustic Open Mic Night" in an ad in the New Haven
Advocate. Held only the first Tuesday of the month. Sponsored by www.ultraradio.com 203-562-2499
More
info needed.
Wednesday
Black-Eyed
Sally's, 350 Asylum Street,
Hartford CT ???pm - ???pm
Open Blues jam. 860-278-RIBS (Info
from Hartford Advocate.) More info needed.
The Downtown Café,
118 Main Street, Bristol CT 8:30pm - 12:00am
"Electric Open Mike." Jungle Tone Recording Studio are the hosts. Sign up sheet at the open
mike. Performance space is in the front of the bar, in the windows facing the
street. There isn't a lot of crowd noise, as the PA and the house band drowns
them out. If you need a quiet environment, or have
difficulty singing/playing with a really good, but loud house band, avoid this open mike. 860-582-6853
The Dubliner,
Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville CT ???pm - ???pm
860-862-5831 More info needed.
The Georgetown Saloon,
8 Main Street, (RT107 & RT57,) Georgetown CT 8:30pm -
12:00am
Jazz open mike. PA
and mikes provided. 203-544-8003 More info needed.
The Huntington Street
Cafe, 90 Huntington Street, Shelton
CT 7:30pm - 12:00am
Acoustic Bluegrass jam. .203-925-9064 More info needed.
The Main Pub, 306 Main Street, Manchester CT
9:00pm - 1:00am
Acoustic open mike. Featured act at
10:15pm gets 45 minutes. 16 Channel PA Mixer, 4 Yamaha Floor Monitors,
2 JBL Mounted Mains w/ 15 inch speakers, DI Boxes, microphones and stands. The
stage is long, and narrow, and faces the bar. There are two large windows behind
the stage facing Main Street. Sign-up for a 10-15 minute time slot through the MySpace
page. There is a sign-up sheet at the open
mike, but it fills up fast because of email sign-up.
860-647-1551
Mizza's Pizza,
6 Ethan Allen Street, Lakeville CT
6:30pm - 9:00pm
Held every other week. Call first! An
acoustic open jam hosted by Ed Thornie. This is a small pizza restaurant. One
corner of the dining room is the performance space. You are very close to the
audience. Family friendly, watch your language. (Take RT 44
to Lakeville. Turn left on RT 41. Ethan Allen Street is the first right off of
RT 41. Chives Restaurant is on the corner, then Mizza's. WQQQ is across from
Mizza's.) 860-435-6266
Oliver Campbell's Bar & Grill,
386
Main Street, Middletown CT 9:00pm - 12:00am
860-349-6400 More info needed.
Peaberry's Café,
712 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury CT 6:30pm -
9:00pm
Pay To Play. $3.00 charge
for performers only. Performers at the top of the
list get 2 songs. Performers at the end of the list might get only 1 song. This is a rather large coffee cafe. Sign up sheet at the open
mike.
Acoustic music preferred, electric okay if you
watch your volume. Multi-channel PA mixer. Two 10 inch speakers. Three microphones with stands and instrument cables provided.
Performance space is in the front of the cafe, to the right, as you walk in the
door. You are very close to the audience, and the front door. The audience is
pretty quiet. They're there to listen. Coffee drinks and sandwiches
available. 860-658-2930
Remy's, 765 Boston Post Road, Milford CT 9:00pm - ???pm
Hosted by Red Handed. 203-738-3906 More info needed.
Scoreboard's, 100 Campbell Ave West Haven CT
9:00pm - 12:00am
Hosted by The
Black Sheep.
Multi-channel PA. 2 mikes with stands, instrument cables. There isn't a lot of crowd noise, as the PA and the house band drowns
them out. If you need a quiet environment, or have
difficulty singing/playing with a really good, but loud house band, avoid this open mike. More info needed.
Vegas Blvd Pizza Restaurant and Bar, 233 Sisson Ave,
Hartford CT 9:30pm-12:30am
Bret The One Man Band is the host. Sign-up sheet. 3-4 songs per performer.
Multi-channel PA. 2 mikes with stands, instrument cables.
Drink specials. Pizza. Facebook
Page. 860-232-3749
Thursday
69 Sports Lounge, 1074 Wolcott
ST, Waterbury CT (just over the Wolcott line, across from planet fitness.
9:00pm-12:30am
Gear provided will be three mics, guitars, a bass, a pa, two amps, and hopefully a drum set.
860-906-7503 More info needed
B&G Lounge, 950 Sullivan Ave, South Windsor CT
9:00pm - 12:00am
Hosted by Brian Lane. "Multi-channel PA, microphones, stands, stage lighting
provided. Two guitar amps, an Ampeg bass rig, and a Perl Master series drum kit
are also available." 860-644-8765
The Buttonwood Tree, 605 Main Street, Middletown CT
6:30pm - ???pm
First Thursday of the month. 860-347-4957 More info needed.
C. J. Sparrow, 908 South Main St, Cheshire CT 9:00pm
- 1:00am
Ken Safety is both the host and a performer with his "House Band."
There is no sign-up sheet. Talk to Ken, and ask to be considered for a slot, if
there is time. (Preference is apparently given to regular performers at this
open mike.) 15
minutes per performer. Multi-channel PA mixer. 15
inch speakers. Two microphones with stands and instrument cables provided. Crowd
noise varies. Remember this is a bar. There can be a lot of crowd noise. If you need a quiet environment, or have
difficulty singing/playing while people are talking loudly in competition with
you, avoid this open mike. 203-272-8204
The Cambridge House Brew Pub, 357 Salmon Brook, Granby CT
8:30pm - 12:00am
Dave Costa is the host and a performer. No sign-up list, just talk to Dave.
Multi-channel PA, two 15 inch speakers, two mikes/stands, instrument cables.
There is a small stage in one corner of the bar room. There's two TV sets above
the stage, and they may be on and tuned to sports channels when you're
performing. At least the sound will be off. Lots of beer choices, including
beers brewed in house. Kitchen closes around 10:00pm. Remember this is a bar. There can be a lot of crowd noise. If you need a quiet environment, or have
difficulty singing/playing while people are talking loudly in competition with
you, avoid this open mike 860-653-BREW
The Corner Pocket, 501 Boston Post RD, Orange
CT 9:30pm - 1:00am
Open mike hosted by the rock trio The Total Hacks.
All styles of music welcome, as are original songs or covers. Multi-channel PA,
15 inch speakers, two 12 inch floor monitors, mikes and stands. Also available,
a 5 piece drum kit, a guitar amp, and a bass amp. High quality stereo recordings are available to interested performers.
(Thanks
to Chris H. for the info.) 203-891-0777
The Downtown Café,
118 Main Street, Bristol CT 9:00pm - 1:00am
Sign up sheet at the open
mike. 10
minutes per performer. Multi-channel PA mixer. Two 15
inch speakers, two 12 inch monitors. Three microphones with stands and instrument cables provided.
Performance space is in the front of the bar, in the windows facing the
street. Remember this is a bar. There is a lot of crowd noise. If you need a quiet environment, or have
difficulty singing/playing while people are talking loudly in competition with
you, avoid this open mike. 860-582-6853
Alina's
Ristorante, 950 Yale Avenue,
Wallingford CT 9:00pm-???pm
"Joe Gallagher's Jammin'
Open Mic Show." MySpace page
203-640-8657 More info needed.
The Georgetown Saloon,
8 Main Street, (RT107 & RT57,) Georgetown CT 8:30pm -
1:00am
Open jam. All
styles welcome. 203-544-8003 More info needed.
The Grady Tavern, 622 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester CT
9:30pm - 12:30am
This is a very small bar. 860-646-9554
More info needed.
The Highliner Cafe, 139 Essex RD, Westbrook CT
8:00pm - 12:00am
Hosts alternate. "Every other week hosted by Ed Merola, Skip Swift, and
Bill Annino." Electric or Acoustic. "Drums, 1 guitar amp, 1 bass
rig, 2-3 mics". (Thanks to Ed M. for the info.)
The Huntington Street
Cafe, 90 Huntington Street, Shelton
CT 7:30pm - 12:00am
Acoustic open mike. 203-925-9064 More info needed.
Ivory Pub and Restaurant, 1 Kirtland Street, Deep River CT
8:30pm -
12:00am
860-526-2528 More info needed.
Ivoryton Tavern, 8 Summit St, Ivoryton CT ???pm - ???pm
Every other Thursday. Electric or Acoustic. House band. 860-767-1449
More info needed.
La Boca Restaurant & Cantina, 520 Main Street, Middletown CT 9:00pm -
12:00am
Sign-up sheet at the open
mike. 860-347-4777 More info needed.
Meet Me On Main Cafe, 1265 Main Street, Coventry CT
6:30pm - ???pm
Held the fourth Thursday of the month. We were told this is a small coffee shop
which can get crowded with performers and audience, and that there is no longer
a cover charge. There is a small PA. Acoustic music. Sponsored by
Song A Day Music.
860-742-6878 More info needed.
Molten Java, 102 Greenwood Ave, Bethel CT
8:00pm - 10:00pm
A coffee house in downtown Bethel. Multi-channel P.A. and microphones provided.
There can be a lot of noise from the coffee bar. Crowd noise varies. Sometimes,
it's quiet, sometimes, people are talking in competition with you. You are very
close to the audience. 203-739-0313 More info needed.
The One Eyed Pig, 71 South Main Street, Newtown, CT
9:00pm - 12:00am
Hosted by The
Wagon Wheel.
More info needed.
The Pine Loft
Cafe, 1474 Berlin
Turnpike, Berlin CT 7:00pm - 10:00pm
MySpace page. 860-828-9797 More info needed.
The Red Door, 675 Main
St, Watertown CT 9:30pm - 1:00am
Sign-up
sheet for the open mike goes out at 8:00pm. Multi-channel PA with professional soundman.
House band. Four stage monitors, 3-4 vocal mikes, at least four 15 inch PA speakers w/ horns
near the ceiling, and two 18 inch sub-woofers on the floor. Full drum kit, and
two guitar amps also available. DI boxes for acoustic and bass guitars. Drink
specials. Remember this is a bar. There is a lot of crowd
noise. If you need a quiet environment, or have
difficulty singing/playing while people are talking loudly in competition with
you, avoid this open mike. 860-945-6688
Shalom Company Cafe, Wintonbury Mall, Bloomfield CT
7:30pm - ???pm
Acoustic music and poetry. (Info from Hartford Advocate.) More info needed.
Spin Cycle Cafe Laundromat
190 Fenn Road, Newington, CT 7:00pm -
9:00pm
860-436-3808 More info needed.
Sun Valley Resort / Clubhouse Cafe, 51 Old Stafford Road, (off RT190 )
Stafford Springs CT 7:30pm-???pm
Acoustic Open Mike. Hosted by Joe Deer and the Weapons
Inspectors. Every 2nd & 4th Thursday night of the
month. Sign-up at 7:00. Pop Rock, Country, Folk, & Originals. Clubhouse
Cafe has food & drink
menu. 860-684-3273.
The Twisted Vine, 280 Main Street, Derby
CT 8:30pm - ???pm
Acoustic open mike with Casey Gorman. 203-734-2462 More info
needed.
Friday
Ashford Library's Knowlton Hall,
25 Pompey Hollow Road, RT44, Ashford CT
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Pay To Play. $2.00 suggested donation.
Third Friday of the month. Sign-up sheet. Ashford Park & Rec.
Dept. 860-487-4409 More info needed.
The Hope Out Loud Coffeehouse and Open Mike
7:00pm - 8:00pm
Pay To Play. $5.00 donation. Held the last Friday of each month at
The Green Vibration & The Alchemy Cafe, 203 New Britain Ave,
Hartford CT, by the Connecticut Coalition for Peace and Justice. The
open mike is from 7:00pm to 8:00pm, and the coffeehouse, with scheduled
performers, runs until 10:00pm or so. 860-246-5700
LaSalle Market and Deli,
104 Main St, Collinsville CT 6:00pm -
9:30pm
Hosts vary. Useless sign up sheet at the open mike as they allow
performers to phone in and get on the list. The list is usually full at
6:00pm. Two or three songs per performer. Multi-channel PA, two mikes with stands,
cables. The
performing space is in the front corner of the dining room, right near the
windows. You are very close to the audience. Family friendly! Watch your
language! Pizza, sandwiches and dinners available. Daily specials. 860-693-8010
Perk On Main, 6 Main Street,
Durham CT 7:00pm-8:00pm
Acoustic open mike. 1 or 2 songs per performer. PA, microphones, cables
available. 860-349-5335 More info needed.
St. Mary's Orthodox Center, 3125 N. Main St, Waterbury CT.
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Held the 1st and 3rd Friday of each month. Fiddle & Country open mike and
Jam. This is held in the annex auditorium. There is a lot of room for players & guests. A PA system is provided with 3 mic's and a
monitor. Acoustic is preferred. However you can plug into the PA system (1/4") if needed. Very informal gathering. Normally
you get to do 2 songs: 1 in the first hour and 1 in the 2nd. Guests pay $3.00, musicians are free.
For more info call Nancy or Jim Brooks 860-274-4630.
(Thanks to George Z. for this info.)
Shortie's Pub, 627 Norwich-Salem Turnpike, Oakdale
CT 8:00pm - 11:00pm
Twice a month, possibly 2nd and 4th Fridays. 860-859-2111 More info needed.
Vanilla Bean Cafe, RT44
& RT97, Pomfret CT 6:30pm - 9:00pm
First Friday of the month. Featured performer
varies. 860-928-1562 More info needed.
Saturday
Artwell Gallery, 19
Water Street, Torrington CT 8:00pm -
10:00pm
Pay To Play. $5.00 donation. Ten minutes per
performer. Held several times a year. Watch the Waterbury or Torrington newspapers for an announcement, or sign
up for the gallery's email announcements. Sign up sheet at the open mike. You
can also call ahead and reserve a spot, or send an email. Acoustic music
preferred, electric okay if you watch your volume. Poetry and other spoken word
welcome. A PA with 2 microphones is provided. It's a nice sized room, and the
crowd is there to listen.
Bristol Recovery Club, 67 West Street, Bristol
CT ???pm - ???pm
Fourth Saturday of the month.
860-309-7590 More info needed.
Cafe Nine, 250 State St, New Haven CT
4:30pm - 7:30pm
Advertised as a "Jazz Jam." Multi-channel PA mixer. 18
inch speakers. Two stage monitors. Two microphones with stands and instrument cables provided.
Remember this is a bar. There is a lot of crowd noise, and a tendency
for the PA to be cranked too loud. If you need a quiet environment, or have
difficulty singing/playing while people are talking loudly in competition with
you, avoid this jam. 203-789-8281 More info needed.
Fred's Brick House Cafe,
1681 West Main Street Willimantic CT ???pm - ???pm
Third Saturday of the month. Music Center of Norwich open mic night.
(860) 423-2615 More info needed.
Nirvana Juice Bar and Coffee Shop,
Main Street, Torrington CT 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Acoustic open mike. Sign up sheet at the
open mike. Peavey Portable PA with four channels. Three mikes with stands.
Guitar cables. (PA provided by Barking Dog Guitar Traders next door to Nirvana.) You are very close to the
audience, and they are there to listen. Pizza, smoothie drinks, coffee and teas available. 860-201-4904
Old Stone Church,
First Congregational Church of East Haven, The United Church of Christ, 251 Main
Street, East Haven CT 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Pay To Play. $5.00 donation. Held
the last Saturday of the month. Acoustic music preferred. 203-467-2907 More info needed.
Open Door Club, 138 Thomaston Ave, Waterbury
CT ???pm - ???pm
Second Saturday of the month. 203-757-8256 More info needed.
The Winchester Restaurant, 144 Wolcott Street, Torrington CT
???pm - ???am
This is a medium size bar. 860-496-0337 More info
needed.
Sunday
Cafe Nine, 250 State St, New Haven CT 9:00pm - 1:00am
Advertised as a "Blues Jam." Multi-channel PA mixer. 18
inch speakers. Two stage monitors. Two microphones with stands and instrument cables provided.
Remember this is a bar. There is a lot of crowd noise, and a tendency
for the PA to be cranked too loud. If you need a quiet environment, or have
difficulty singing/playing while people are talking loudly in competition with
you, avoid this jam. 203-789-8281 More info needed.
The Grady Tavern, 622 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester CT
9:30pm - 12:30am
860-646-9554
More info needed.
My Place, 8 Queen Street, (Big Y Shopping Plaza) Newtown
CT 9:00pm - 12:30am
Acoustic open mike. Sign up sheet. Small four channel PA, two 12inch speakers, two
mikes w/ stands, some instrument cables. Small bar. You are very close to the
audience, and the front door. 209-270-7061
Sully's Pub, 2071 Park Street,
Hartford CT 9:00pm
- 1:00am
Advertised as an "Electric open mike." Decent sized stage, with lighting. Multi-channel P.A.
rack across from the stage. Three 12inch EV speakers with horns mounted off the
ceiling. Four 12inch floor monitors. Two 18inch Carvin woofers on the floor. Two microphones with stands,
direct box. Bring your own cables. Loudness is possible here. Sully's is on Park Street in Hartford, one
block in from Prospect Ave. There isn't very much parking. Drink specials, TiKi
Bar outside in good weather. 860-231-8881
Widow Brown's Cafe, Federal Road, Danbury CT 9:30pm -
12:30am
203-743-7021 More info needed.
The Windham Art Center & Gallery, Cadenza Café, 866 Main St., Willimantic CT 6:30pm -
???pm
Pay To Play. $7.00 donation. Last Sunday of the month.
860-450-1794 More info needed.
ctlocalbands.com - Main Site
Grim Music Service When You
Just Have To Listen