Chicago's Best Open Mic Nights

Updated October 20, 2020

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Open Mic Music, Comedy and Artistic Performances

Get ready to hit the stage at these bars, coffee shops and other venues hosting open mic nights in Chicago. Read more about windy city open mic below, or scroll to the list by day of the week at the end. Some open mic nights are strictly for one genre like music, while others are for any sort of live entertainment. We've tried to note open mics that are just music/comedy versus general open mic nights.

Gallery Cabaret is one of the best places in Chicago for open mic. This Bucktown spot hosts Wednesday night musical open mic at 9pm, Thursday Cupcake Comedy open mic from 7-8pm followed by a comedy showcase from 8-9 and finally a musical open mic at 9:30pm. Gallery holds Friday open mic from 7-10pm followed by live music, and Saturday open mic from 7-9 followed by live music. 

Irving Park is a hotbed of open mic nights. The Globe has open mic comedy nights every Monday, and Sidekick's has open mic on Wednesday - the only night of the week not focused on karaoke. Fuller's Pub has open mic night on Thursdays, but artists are welcome to come in and jam any night Monday through Thursday after 8pm.

The Store in Lincoln Park has open mic every Monday at 9pm and records a free CD during the show. Nearby Lilly's is a cash bar with a piano that takes open mic sign ups Tuesdays at 9pm. As a side note, if you're into pianos, check out Chicago piano bars.

Goldie's Pub in North Center has stand up comedy and open mic on Sundays and Wednesdays, and an acoustic music open mic night on Thursdays. Also in North Center, Chicago Joe's hosts open mic on Mondays, the same night kids eat free. The Edgewater location of Uncommon Ground holds its open mic on Tuesdays.

In Lake View, head to Uncommon Ground on Mondays and Vaughan's Pub on Tuesdays. Wednesday night open mic at Elbo Room starts promptly at 9, but sign ups start at 8. Wednesday, sign up starts at 8pm, open mic performances start at 9pm.  Will's Northwoods Inn is a Lakeview option on Sundays.

Pop-Up Open Mics and Special Events

Before you perform, consider practicing with friends, family, or your local public library. Chicago Public Libraries have creative events such as Edgewater Library's open mic night. Bourgeois Pig in Old Town hosts open mic nights from time to time.

Chicago Open Mic Nights by Day of the Week

Monday Open Mic

Chicago Joe's, North Center
Fuller's Pub, Irving Park, after 8pm
The Globe, Irving Park
The Store, Lincoln Park, 9pm
Uncommon Ground, Lake View

Tuesday Open Mic

Fuller's Pub, Irving Park, after 8pm
Lilly's, Lincoln Park, 9pm, have a piano
The Corrib Irish Pub, Jefferson Park
Uncommon Ground, Edgewater
Vaughan's Pub, Lake View

Wednesday Open Mic

Fuller's Pub, Irving Park, after 8pm

Gallery Cabaret, Bucktown, musical open mic 9pm  Thursday Cupcake Comedy open mic from 7-8pm followed by a comedy showcase from 8-9 and finally a musical open mic at 9:30pm. Gallery holds Friday open mic from 7-10pm followed by live music, and Saturday open mic from 7-9 followed by live music. 
Goldie's Pub, North Center, Comedy open mic
Sidekick's, Irving Park

Thursday Open Mic

Gallery Cabaret, Bucktown, comedy open mic 7-8, musical at 9:30pm

Fuller's Pub, Irving Park, 8pm
Goldie's Pub, North Center, acoustic open mic

Friday Open Mic

Gallery Cabaret, Bucktown, 7-10pm

Saturday Open Mic

Gallery Cabaret, Bucktown, 7-9pm

Sunday Open Mic

Goldie's Pub, North Center, comedy open mic
Will's Northwoods Inn, Lake View

Gallery Cabaret, Bucktown, musical open mic 7-9pm

Former open mic locations:

The Jam Gym was a recreational jam night venue for musicians of all levels. Located in the Music Garage, The Jam Gym had open jam sessions every night in up to 3 rooms. Professional equipment was provided, and memberships were available.