Open Mic & Buskers Nights Near Whitley Bay

Whitley Bay has a genuinely active open mic scene. The town's mix of seafront bars, independent micropubs, and traditional locals means there are multiple nights each week where performers can get up and play -- and where audiences can enjoy live music without buying a ticket. Whether you are a singer-songwriter looking for a regular slot or someone who just enjoys a midweek pint with live acoustic accompaniment, there is plenty to choose from.

The Crab and Waltzer -- Wednesday Nights

The Crab and Waltzer on Marine Avenue hosts an open mic night every Wednesday evening. The sessions are run by On the Case Music, a local promoter who organises open mic events across several venues in the area. The atmosphere is supportive and welcoming, and the format suits solo performers, duos, and acoustic acts.

Wednesday is a good night for it -- the pub is busy enough to give performers an audience but relaxed enough that newcomers do not feel intimidated.

Best for: Open mic every Wednesday at the Crab and Waltzer on Marine Avenue, run by On the Case Music.

Storm Cellar -- Thursday Nights

The Storm Cellar hosts open mic nights every Thursday. The format is broad -- singers, instrumentalists, spoken word performers, and anyone else with something to share are all welcome. The Storm Cellar is a small, intimate venue, which gives the evenings a close-knit, almost living-room feel. It is the kind of night where you might hear a folk ballad followed by a stand-up poem followed by someone trying out a new song for the first time.

Best for: Every Thursday at the Storm Cellar -- singing, spoken word, and acoustic sets all welcome.

The Red Lion, Earsdon -- Monday Nights

A short trip inland from Whitley Bay, the Red Lion in Earsdon village hosts an open mic night every Monday from 8pm, also organised by On the Case Music. Earsdon is a historic village with a proper village-pub atmosphere, and the Monday night sessions have built a loyal following among local musicians.

The Red Lion is easily reachable from Whitley Bay by car or bus, and the early-week scheduling means it fills a gap that the weekend-heavy coastal venues do not.

Best for: Open mic every Monday from 8pm at the Red Lion in Earsdon, run by On the Case Music.

The Roxburgh

The Roxburgh on Roxburgh Terrace hosts regular acoustic sessions and open mic evenings throughout the month. The pub has built a strong reputation as a community venue with a genuine commitment to live music. Dates vary, so checking the pub's social media pages for the latest schedule is recommended.

The Roxburgh is a short walk from the seafront and offers a friendlier, less hectic alternative to the busier bars closer to the beach.

Best for: Regular acoustic sessions and open mic nights at the Roxburgh -- check their social media for dates.

The Playhouse, Whitley Bay

The Playhouse Whitley Bay is the town's main performance venue, hosting a mixed programme of music, comedy, and family shows. While it is not an open mic venue in the traditional sense, the Playhouse does programme singer-songwriter showcases and acoustic events that sit alongside its larger touring shows.

For performers looking to step up from pub open mic nights to a proper stage, keeping an eye on the Playhouse's events calendar is worthwhile.

Best for: The Playhouse programmes singer-songwriter and acoustic events alongside its main touring shows.

Finding More Nights

The open mic scene moves quickly, with new nights launching and others going on hiatus. A few resources for staying up to date:

• Open Mic Finder lists open mic events specifically in the Whitley Bay area.
• On the Case Music promotes open mic nights at several venues across North Tyneside.
• UseYourLocal tracks pubs with live music in Whitley Bay.
• Individual pub Facebook pages and Instagram accounts are often the quickest way to confirm whether a night is still running.

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Whitley Bay's open mic scene is one of the most active on the North East coast. Three regular weekly nights plus ad hoc sessions at other venues means there is almost always somewhere to play or listen on any given evening. For more on the town's pub scene, see our guide to the best pubs in Whitley Bay.

Know an open mic night we have missed? Get in touch and we will add it.