Open Mic & Buskers Nights Near Jesmond

Jesmond and the Ouseburn Valley between them have one of the best grassroots live music scenes in the North East. Whether you play guitar, sing, or just want to listen, there is an open mic or session night running somewhere nearby on most evenings of the week.

Here are the regular open mic and buskers nights within easy reach of Jesmond.

The Holy Hobo — Buskers Night (Tuesdays)

The Holy Hobo on Osborne Road hosts a weekly Buskers Night every Tuesday evening. The format is open mic — turn up with an instrument or just your voice, put your name on the list, and play a short set. The atmosphere is relaxed and encouraging, and the crowd is a mix of students, locals, and the occasional passing musician.

The venue also has live bands on Friday and Saturday nights, so if you enjoy the Tuesday session you can come back for something louder at the weekend.

Best for: The closest open mic to central Jesmond. Walk-in, no booking needed, every Tuesday on Osborne Road.

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The Cumberland Arms — Folk Sessions (Most Evenings)

The Cumberland Arms in the Ouseburn Valley is one of the best folk music pubs in the North East, with traditional sessions running in the back bar on most nights of the week. The regular programme includes:

• 1st, 3rd, and 5th Tuesdays — Cumberland Back Bar Sessions (from 8pm)
• Every Wednesday — 'Come All Ye' Singing Session (from 8pm)
• 2nd and 4th Thursdays — Mostly Irish Session (from 8pm)
• Every Friday — Old Time Music Session (from 8pm)
• 1st and 3rd Sundays — Jam Session (from 8pm)
• 1st Sunday of the month — Ballad Club (2pm-5pm)

There is also a monthly ukulele session (Ukes4Fun!) on the second Tuesday. The Cumberland sits at the top of the Ouseburn Valley, about a 10-minute walk downhill from Jesmond, and the herb garden has some of the best views of any pub in Newcastle.

Best for: The region's best folk pub. Sessions most evenings in the back bar, no sign-up needed — just bring an instrument or a song.

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The Punch Bowl — Live Music and Comedy

The Punch Bowl on Jesmond Road is a characterful three-room pub with fourteen cask beers and a proper stage upstairs. The first-floor venue, Bobiks, hosts regular live music nights, stand-up comedy, theatre, and cinema screenings.

The Punch Bowl programmes a mix of booked acts and more informal evenings. Check their social media for the current schedule, as event nights rotate. The pub itself is dog-friendly, vinyl-obsessed, and one of the more interesting drinking spots on the Jesmond Road stretch.

Best for: A proper Jesmond pub with a dedicated upstairs venue. Live music, comedy, and fourteen cask beers.

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The Cluny — Emerging Artists and Support Slots

The Cluny at 36 Lime Street in the Ouseburn is a 300-capacity live music venue in a converted Victorian flax mill. It is one of the most important venues for breaking bands in the region — Arctic Monkeys, Mumford & Sons, and hundreds of other acts played here before they were famous.

While The Cluny's main programme is ticketed gigs rather than a regular open mic, the venue frequently books local and unsigned acts as support for touring bands, and there are occasional showcase nights for new talent. If you are a performer looking for stage time, it is worth keeping an eye on their listings and getting in touch with the promoters.

The bar and kitchen are open during the day too, with a beer garden overlooking the Ouseburn Valley.

Best for: Not a traditional open mic, but the region's best small venue for emerging artists. Worth watching for showcase nights.

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The Tyne Bar — Free Live Music (Weekends)

The Tyne Bar sits beneath the Glasshouse Bridge in the Ouseburn Valley and has been putting on free live music for over 25 years. The purpose-built outdoor stage in the beer garden hosts local bands and solo artists most weekends, and the atmosphere is as laid-back as it gets.

The Tyne Bar does not run a formal open mic night, but its commitment to free, grassroots live music — and its willingness to give new acts a platform — makes it a key part of the Ouseburn scene. Food is served daily until 9pm, and the beer garden beneath the bridge is one of Newcastle's finest spots on a sunny afternoon.

Best for: Free live music in one of Newcastle's best beer gardens. A 15-minute walk from Jesmond Metro.

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Ernest — Live Music and Events

Ernest is an independent cafe bar at the top end of the Ouseburn Valley, open daily from 10am until late. The venue hosts regular live music nights and events throughout the week, with a programme that ranges from acoustic sets to DJ nights.

Ernest occupies a comfortable middle ground between daytime cafe and evening venue. The food is good, the drinks list is thoughtful, and the events calendar is worth checking regularly. It is a short walk from Jesmond down into the Ouseburn.

Best for: An Ouseburn cafe bar with a varied live music programme. Open from morning coffee to late-night sets.

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Tips for Open Mic Performers

• Arrive early. Popular nights fill their sign-up lists quickly. At The Holy Hobo, getting there for 7:30pm gives you the best chance of a slot.
• Keep sets short. Most open mics allow two or three songs per performer. Have your material ready and be mindful of the time.
• Bring your own leads and capo. Venues usually provide a PA and microphones, but do not rely on them having spare accessories.
• Walk the Ouseburn. The Cumberland Arms, The Cluny, The Tyne Bar, and Ernest are all within a few minutes' walk of each other. You can check out several venues in one evening.
• Check before you go. Session nights and open mics can change with the seasons. A quick look at the venue's social media or website before heading out saves a wasted trip.

Know an open mic night we've missed? Get in touch.