Are you musician in need of an audience? Do you love listening to live music? If so, then open mic nights may be what you’re looking for.
Open mics are a great outlet for singer-songwriters. They are a fantastic way to gain experience, increase your confidence, and the perfect place to network in a venue swarming with people who love music. They allow musicians to test out new material and sharpen up their performing skills at the same time. Many venues in and around Vancouver host weekly open mic nights, and there are opportunities almost every night to get your music heard. Even if you don’t have any musical talent, you can still attend and support those who do.
Here is a short list of confirmed venues and the nights they host open mics. There are other venues that you will hear about when you start networking at these events, so this list is just to get you started.
Monday
The Backstage Lounge
1585 Johnston St. (Granville Island)
10 pm, 604-687-1354
Great Bear Pub
5665 Kingway Ave. (Burnaby)
9 pm, 604-433-8942
The Heritage Grill
447 Columbia St. (New West)
8 pm, 604-759-0819
The Five Point
3124 Main St.
9 pm, 604-876-5810
Tuesday
Amber Jack’s Tap House (Jam Night)
9850 King George Hwy (Surrey)
8:30 pm, 604-495-4091
The Beaver (Samesun Hostel)
1018 Granville St.
604-682-8226
Corduroy Lounge
1943 Cornwall Ave.
8:30 pm, 604-733- 0162
The Orange Room
620 6th St. (New Westminster)
7:30 pm, 778-397-1753
The Princeton Pub Jam Night
1901 Powell St. @ Victoria Drive
8:30 pm, 604-253-6645
Raw Canvas
1046 Hamilton St. (Yaletown)
7:30 pm, 604-687-1729
Wednesday
Cottage Bistro
4470 Main St.
8 pm, 604-876-6138
The Purple Crab
3916 Main St.
604-484-2436
Thursday
Anza Club
3 8th Ave. West @ Ontario St.
Sign up before 9 pm, 604-876-7128
Café Deux Soleils
2096 Commercial Dr.
Sign up 8:45, show at 9 pm, 604-254-1195
The Fireside Café
13593 King George Hwy (Surrey)
7 pm, 604-581-9619
Gallagher's Coffee Bar & Café
7-232 Newport Dr. (Port Moody)
6:30 pm, 604-461-4717
The Purple Crab
3916 Main St.
604-484-2436
The Rusty Gull
175 East 1st (North Van)
8 pm, 604-988-5585
V Café
1049 Granville St.
(778) 370-1340
Friday
El Barrio
2270 East Hastings St.
8 pm, 604-569-2220
Saturday
Anza Club (Open Dex – For DJs)
3 8th Ave. West @ Ontario St.
10 pm, 604-876-7128
Sunday
Café-O-Lei
12528 Harris Rd. (Pitt Meadows)
2 pm, 604-460-6683
Darby’s
2001 MacDonald St. (Kitsilano)
8 pm, 604-731-0617
Great Bear Pub
5665 Kingway Ave. (Burnaby)
8 pm, 604-433-8942
Marine Pub Jam Night
5820 SE Marine Dr. (Burnaby)
4 – 8 pm or later
There are a few things to do before you head out. Call the venue to make sure they haven’t booked something else in the place of the open mic that night. Head out to the venue early to make sure you’ll have a chance to play, because most of these events are first come first serve. Finally, remember what you are there for. A girl at Café Deux Soleil one Thursday night said, “The only problem with being the 13th person to perform is that you tend to drink a lot before getting on stage!” She then completely butchered her song. So, if you are there to get wasted, then go for it, but if you seriously want to get your music heard and are one of the last on the list to perform, consider pacing yourself.
// Jessica Nolan
Writer
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