Open Mics in Chicago
By: Nicole Nicholson
Most musicians live for the thrill of performing their music to an audience that is willing to listen and experience their work. The suspense of all eyes and ears on you is comparable to almost nothing. While mainstream artists tour throughout the country and even the globe to soak up the thrill, most artists starting out don’t have the money or resources to do so. Thankfully, local artists have the city of Chicago as their playground and can take part in the hundreds of venues that hold open mic nights throughout the city.
Bands and solo artists from anywhere will agree that open mic nights are an amazing opportunity to gain experience and exposure. A lot of artists have even used the exposure they get from open mics to jumpstart their musical careers.
With venues hosting open mics where artists can come and play for usually no more than three or four dollars, why not use the experience as an opportunity to share their music with a live audience. When rapper and hip hop producer MF Doom decided to come back into the music scene in ‘98, he started freestyling at open mic events in Manhattan. Slowly, he started to make a name for himself again in the underground hip hop scene and came out with his first solo full-length LP titled Operation: Doomsday in ’99.
But open mics aren’t exclusive to the hip hop community. Many alternative rock bands and solo artists start off at open mics and move on to bigger shows as they gain more exposure. The ’90’s rock band Nirvana started playing at house parties and moved on to play at local Seattle venues where their mix of punk, metal and rock music contributed to the jump start of grunge music that took the ‘90’s music scene by storm.
Below is a list of only some of the local venues that feature open mics. Know of an open mic that is not listed? Please email me at nnicholson@chicagomusicguide.com and we'll be sure to get it listed.
Open Mic Venues in Chicago:
Abbey Pub - www.abbeypub.com
3420 W. Grace at Elston - Chicago, IL 60618 - (773) 478-4408
Hosts open mic night every Tuesday at 8pm - Welcomes musicians of all types
Bad Dog Tavern - www.baddogtavern.com
4535 N.Lincoln - Chicago, IL, 60625 - (773) 334-4040
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 11am - 2am
Saturday: 10am - 3am
Sunday: 10am - 2am
Scott Besaw hosts open mic night every Wednesday at 9pm - Sign up is at 8pm - Welcomes all artists
The Elbo Room - www.elboroomchicago.com
2871 N. Lincoln Ave. - Chicago, IL 60657 - (773) 549-5549
Open 7pm-2am Sun.- Fri. and 7pm-3am on Sat
Oui Si Si Only hosts open mic/networking nights every other Thursday from 8-11pm with the next open mic on 11.19.2009
Sign up is an hour before and they welcome acoustic performers, beat boxers, spoken word artists, etc.
No full bands, please.
Heartland Café - www.heartlandcafe.com
7000 N Glenwood Ave. - Chicago, IL 60626 - (773) 465-8005
Pete Wolf hosts open mic night every Wednesday at 9:30 pm
Sign up is at 9pm - Welcomes spoken word, narrative, music performance art or anything that can fill a 5 minute time slot.
Lizards Liquid Lounge - www.lizardsliquidlounge.com
3058 W. Irving Park Road | Chicago, IL 60618 | 773.463.7599
Open Daily! Monday - Thursday: 4pm - 2am; Friday, Sunday: 12 noon - 2am; Saturdays: 12 noon 'til 3am
Open mic first Thursday of each month
Subterranean - www.subt.net
2011 W. North Ave. - Chicago, IL 60647 - (773) 278-6600
Strike III of the Pacifics and Undecided 1 hosts hip hop open mic night every Tuesday at 10pm - 21+ crowd
We will be adding to this list often, but if you would like us to include any in particular, please contact nnicholson@chicagomusicguide.com