Connecticut Open Mikes     Updated on 11/26/2008

A very selected list, but it is growing smaller. Yes, smaller. Venues are replacing open mikes with Karaoke or DJ's. 

If you don't mind driving, it is possible to perform at an open mike almost every night of the week. 

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. We're still trying to get more information. 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. Just send an email to questions
[at] ctlocalbands [dot] com. Let us know if you'd like a credit for supplying the information. 

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.


Pay To Play at Open Mikes.  A Rant. 


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 Green Room, 2442 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport CT    8:00pm - ???pm
203-384-2233   
More info needed.

The Hungry Tiger,
120 Charter Oak Street, Manchester CT    ???pm - ???pm
860-649-1195  More info needed.

Log Cabin Restaurant and Bar, 383 Trumbull Highway, Lebanon, CT    9:00pm - ???pm
Hosted by Salt Box.    860-456-7663         More info needed.

The South Green Coffeehouse, First United Methodist Church, 24 Old Church Street, Middletown, CT    7:00pm - 10:00pm
Held the third Monday of the month.  We've seen it listed as both a "coffeehouse" and as an "open mike."   860-346-3689  
More info needed.

Sully's Pub
, 2071 Park Street, Hartford CT   9:00pm - 1:00am
Acoustic  open mike. Sully's is on Park Street in Hartford, one block in from Prospect Ave. There isn't very much parking. 860-231-8881  More info needed.


Tuesday

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.

Cafe Nine, 250 State St, New Haven  CT    6:00pm - 9:00pm
Acoustic open mike. 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 Georgetown Saloon,  8 Main Street, (RT107 & RT57,) Georgetown CT    7:30pm - 12:00am
Marc Huberman is the host. This is an acoustic open mike. Signup starting at 5:00pm. 3 songs per performer. PA and mikes provided. 203-544-8003  More info needed.

Daniel Street, 21 Daniel Street, Milford CT    7:00pm - 9:00pm
Acoustic open mike from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Sign-up sheet goes out at 7:00pm. 3-4 songs per performer. Multi-channel PA, floor monitors, mikes and stands, cables.
  More info needed.   203-877-4446     

Jenn's Jetty, 516 Boston Post Road, Westbrook CT    8:30pm - 12:30am
From an email: "Paul Crawford is the host.
The open mike is acoustic/electric guitar- full drum kit.  Amps, mics and guitars are available. This is a full restaurant with a bar/pool table area."  860-399-2233    More info needed.

John Harvard's, 1487 Pleasant Valley Rd, Manchester CT               9:00pm-ish  - 12:00am
"16 channel Yamaha board with built in effects, with two 15 inch speakers, and a floor monitor, excellent mics." Brain Jarvis is the host and a performer. This is a chain brew pub, with a sports theme, and lots of TV's tuned to sports channels. It's down the hill from the Mall, and next to the entrance ramp to I84 West. The "stage area" is between the kitchen doors, facing the working end of the bar. There are no seats at that end of the bar. There is no sign-up sheet. Just talk to the host. The web site says an 8:00pm start, but the host says it's actually 9:00pm-ish, and "it's casual." 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, don't go.  860-644-2739      

Smokin' With Chris, 59 West Center Street, Southington CT    8:00pm - 12:00am
Seabreeze are the hosts. Info from an email: "This is a jam session, not an open mike.
All instruments are welcome as are vocalists and listeners. The jam has, in the past included a 17 piece big band from Hart School of Music and all the way down to just two acoustic guitars and almost every imaginable combination in between. We welcome all types of music and all skill levels. It is truly a place to learn new songs, styles and techniques."  860-620-9133

The Space, 295 Treadwell Street, Hamden CT    7:00pm - 11:00pm
Pay To Play. $5.00 cover, 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 some snack foods available. Dancing encouraged, but no moshing!  203-288-6400 

The Stonewall Tavern, 847 Stafford Road, RT 32, Eagleville, Mansfield CT        ???pm - ???pm
Hosted by The Blaney Brothers. 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. Keith Wilkinson is the host. Sponsored by www.ultraradio.com   
203-562-2499    More info needed. 


Wednesday

Baxter's At The Bitter End, 2770 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport CT    10:00pm - 1:30am
 
203-335-2395   
More info needed.

Billy O's English Tavern, 1783 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike, Milldale CT     830pm - 11:00pm
Acoustic Open Mike. Held the first Wednesday of the month.  Johnny I is the host and a performer. Three songs per performer. Multi-channel PA head, two 15 inch speakers, 2 mikes w/cables and stands. As you walk in the Tavern, the bar is on the left, and the dining room is on the right. The stage area is in the front of the dining room, right by the windows. It's large enough for a duo or a trio. There's a pool table that buffers you from the audience seating.   
Numerous beers and ales, and martini drinks. Kitchen open until 9:00pm.  860-426-9688   

The Downtown Café, 118 Main Street, Bristol CT   8:30pm - 12:00am 
"Electric Open Mike." Jon & Scott of 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 drown 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 Georgetown Saloon,  8 Main Street, (RT107 & RT57,) Georgetown CT    8:00pm - 12:00am
Bluegrass and  acoustic open mike.
Held the first and third Wednesday of the month. String Fingers Band are the host. Signup starting at 6:00pm. PA and mikes provided. 203-544-8003  More info needed.

Good News Cafe, 2455a Boston Post Road, Guilford CT    ???pm - ???pm
203-671-5126    More info needed.

Hall of Fame Billiards Sports Bar & Grill,  105 West Street, RT 83, Ellington CT       8:00pm - 1:00am???
Hosted by Invisible Ground. "Full PA provided." MySpace page.  860-872-6282     More info needed.

The Holly Place, RT 41, Lakeville CT        9:00pm - 12:00am
Open Jam.
(Take RT 44 to Lakeville. Turn left on RT 41. The driveway to the Holly Place is on your right.)  More info needed.

JD Coopers, 146 Park Rd., Putnam CT    ???pm - ???pm
860-928-0501
    More info needed.

The Lighthouse Cafe, 63 Whitfield St, Guilford CT    7:00pm - 11:30pm
 203-458-3555       More info needed.

The Main Pub, 306 Main Street, Manchester CT     9:00pm - 1:00am
Dan Prindle is the host. 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 or by contacting Dan via email. There is a sign-up sheet at the open mike, but it fills up fast because of email sign-up.    860-647-1551    

Oliver Campbell's Bar & Grill,
386 Main Street, Middletown CT    9:00pm - 12:00am
860-349-6400        More info needed.

Orange Ale House,
517 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.   (Thanks to Chris H. for the info.)    203-795-0707

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 12 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. Sandwiches average $7.00. Beer, wine, and coffee cocktails served after 5:00pm. 860-658-2930 

Remy's,
765 Boston Post Road, Milford CT    9:00pm - ???pm
Hosted by Red Handed.   203-738-3906   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 on Wednesday once a month. Check the Center's "Concerts" webpage for the actual date of the open mike. Featured performer varies. Based on the performers at past and future concerts, we suspect this is an acoustic open mike, and that folk music is prefered. Leave the full drum kit and the 100 watt half stack at home. 860-693-0263  More info needed. 

The Shamrock Cafe
, 1117 East St (RT 159), Suffield CT    8:30pm - 12:00am
Hosted by singer/songwriter Joe Barone. This is a medium sized bar, with a large deck off the bar room. Crowd noise varies. Sign-up sheet at the open mike.  860-292-8668  More info needed.



Thursday

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, 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. Multichannel 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       

Casey's Tavern, 85 Woodside St., Stamford CT    8:00pm - ???pm
Acoustic Open Mike.  203-363-0804   More info needed.

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

George's II, 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
Marc Huberman is the host. House bands Celebrity Hot Tub play on the first Thursday, and The Twinkies play on the remaining Thursdays. Signup starting at 6:00pm. All styles welcome. 2 songs per performer.   203-544-8003  More info needed.

The Grady Tavern, 622 Middle Turnpike East, Manchester CT    9:30pm - 12:30am
Hosted by Geoff Willard.  860-646-9554   More info needed.

Ivory Pub and Restaurant, 1 Kirtland Street, Deep River CT    8:30pm - 12:00am
860-526-2528    More info needed.

La Boca Restaurant & Cantina, 520 Main Street, Middletown CT    9:00pm - 12:00am
Hosted by singer/songwriter Joe Barone.  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.

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. Bring a small amp if you have one, but no half stacks, no full drum kits. 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

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 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
Ryan Walker is the host, and a performer. 15 minutes per performer. Sign-up sheet for the open mike goes out at 8:00pm. Multi-channel PA with professional soundman. 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   

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

Bethel Christian Church,
750 Stevens St., Bristol CT    7:00pm - 9:30pm
Held the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month. Fiddle & Country open mike and Jam. This is held in the church auditorium which has a good size stage and good lighting. A PA system with 4 mic's is provided. Normally they don't like anyone hooking into their PA system. Acoustic is preferred. This is a well attended event with a lot of musicians and 150-200 guests. The goal is to have everyone play two solos: one in the first hour and one in the second. However because of the large turn out you may only get to do one solo. This is well attended by the Bristol Old Time Fiddlers so there is normally a lot of fiddle music at this jam. The guest fee is $4.00. There is no charge to the musicians. Additional Info: Ed 860-589-6180 or Sue 860-583-9067 
(Thanks to George Z. for this info.)

City Perk, 154 Main Street, Norwich CT    5:30pm - ???pm
First and third Friday of the month. 860-204-8443     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
Andre Balazs
is the host and a performer.  Sign up sheet at the open mike starting at 5:30pm. Three or four songs per performer. Multi-channel PA, 2 fifteen inch speakers, 12 inch powered monitor, two mikes with stands, cables, keyboard. 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

Narcissus Chocolate Cafe, 7 Railroad Place, Wethersfield CT    7:00pm - 10:00pm
Acoustic open mike. Held the 2nd and 4th Fridays.   860-436-9311  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.)

Thomaston Opera House Annex, 158 Main St, Thomaston CT        7:00pm - 10:00pm
Pay To Play. $5.00 donation.  2 songs, or ten minutes, per performer. Held occasionally. We're not sure what night anymore. Friday or Saturday.  Look for announcements in the local area newspapers. Sign up sheet at the open mike.  Limited to 15 performers. Small four channel PA, with two 12 inch speakers, four microphones with stands provided. Acoustic music only. The crowd is very quiet. They are there to listen, not talk over the performers. You are also very close to the audience.  

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.  

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.

The Funky Monkey Cafe and Gallery, 130 Elm Street, Watch Factory Shops, Cheshire CT        7:00pm - 10:00pm
Held the last Saturday of the month. Johnny I is the host. Microphones and PA provided. Cafe menu includes coffee drinks, smoothies, salads, sandwiches, desserts. Art gallery space. 
203-439-9161   

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.

Thomaston Opera House Annex, 158 Main St, Thomaston CT        7:00pm - 10:00pm
Pay To Play. $5.00 donation.  2 songs, or ten minutes, per performer. Held occasionally. We're not sure what night anymore. Friday or Saturday.  Look for announcements in the local area newspapers. Sign up sheet at the open mike.  Limited to 15 performers. Small four channel PA, with two 12 inch speakers, four microphones with stands provided. Acoustic music only. The crowd is very quiet. They are there to listen, not talk over the performers. You are also very close to the audience.  


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.

Sully's Pub, 2071 Park Street, Hartford CT   9:00pm - 1:00am
Electric open mike. Sully's is on Park Street in Hartford, one block in from Prospect Ave. There isn't very much parking. 860-231-8881  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.


 Out Of State Open Mikes 


ctlocalbands.com - Main Site       
ctlocalbands.org
- Mirror Site       
Grim Music Service 
When You Just Have To Listen