One of the best things about living in a city like Austin is the availability of open mic nights to sharpen your skills on stage. As an aspiring singer-songwriter and musician, it is important to practice your craft and try to play on stage as much as you can, so an open mic environment provides just that.
Musicians Institute is a unique school in its focus on Live Performance Workshops, where students of any level and jump onto the stage right away. But, if you want some real life experience immediately, check out these open mic nights in Austin and start performing!
Cactus Cafe
2247 Guadalupe Street, Austin
The Cactus Cafe has a great reputation in Austin and considered one of its best acoustic venues, hosting some of the top acts out today. Kacy Crowley hosts Cactus Cafe’s open mic every Monday, where sign up begins at 7:30 pm. Performances go on from 8-10:00 p.m., so don’t miss out!
Elephant Room
315 Congress Ave., Austin
If you’re an aspiring jazz musician, you can hop into a spontaneous jazz jam session at the Elephant Room, an underground jazz bar. Every Monday the spot hosts Michael Mordecai’s Jazz Jam at 9:30 p.m., so grab your instrument and your time on stage might come soon enough.
Speakeasy
412 Congress Ave, Austin
Every Monday, Speakeasy hosts an Open Mic from 8:00 until 11:30 p.m., hosted by Ronnie Hall. The venue itself has three different levels, the Music Lounge, the Mezzanine over the stage, and the rooftop lounge, Terrace59, which means a diverse crowd and musicians.
The Water Tank
7309 McNeil Dr, Austin
Every Tuesday might, The Water Tank hosts its open mic from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. You’ve got 3 hours to shine, so sit back, grab a drink and enjoy some new tunes.
Kick Butt Coffee
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvU4kCFlEm_/
5775 Airport Blvd., Austin
One of Austin’s most popular open mic nights, musicians can sign up at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays to nab a spot to play from 6:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. The sign-ups are first come, first served, so obviously it’s important to be there right at opening. Performers will be allowed to play two songs, or a total of 10 minutes. If a comedy open mic or poetry open mic is also your style, Kick Butt has a night for you, too!
Dozen Street
1808 E. 12th, Austin
On Wednesdays, you can check out Dozen Street’s open mic hosted by Scooter Holiday from 5:30 until 8:00 p.m.! Sign-ups begin at 5:00 and will be open until 7:20 p.m., or until last spot is filled! Dozen Street also invited non-music performers, so if you want to also try out a new dance or magic routine, this open mic is the one for you.
Brentwood Social House
1601 W. Koenig Lane, Austin
The open mic night goes down on the first Friday of every month from 7:00- 9:00 p.m. Sign-ups for the show start at 6:30 p.m., and as usual, are first come, first served. For this acoustic-only open mic, you are allowed to perform two songs during your slot! While watching the other performers, sit back and relax with some coffee and tea for a mega chilled out time.
Musicians Institute is the leader in contemporary music education offering certificates to Masters degrees in programs spanning instrument performance, electronic production, music business, and everything in between.
For more information on all programs offered, please visit here: mi.edu/programs-degrees/
For more information on MI Online programs, please visit here: mi.edu/programs/mi-online/