Best Open Mics in Ottawa

Ottawa is a big city with a population of around 1 million people. Although, a fairly large city in size, there is a small, up and coming arts scene that includes a number of rising songwriters. I''d like to consider myself one of these artists but I might be a little biased. Anyway, I've had the chance to meet many of these songwriters having hopped around to many of the open mics in Ottawa for the last two years. In this list, I've compiled some of my favourite open mics in Ottawa.

Open mics are a chance to showcase a new song you're working on, perform a cover you've been practicing, or just share a story you're passionate about. I like to go to open mics to share new music that I've been writing. If you're curious to what my music sounds like, you can look me up on any streaming service or subscribe to my Youtube Channel.

I started going to the open mic seen in Ottawa around 2011 but it looked very different back then. Some of the classic open mics at the time were at James Street Pub, Oliver's Pub on Carleton Campus, or Atomic Rooster.

Today, the scene has changed a bit, and there are lot of well developed open mics that you should consider popping in to sing a song, share a story, or get the crowd laughing. Athough, since I'm a singer songwriter myself, most of these Ottawa open mics that I'll be listing will be based around music.

At the end of the post, I'll mention some honourable mention open mics in Ottawa that are new or ones that I haven't been to yet but I'd like to. Also, I should caveat this post by saying, there are a lot of open mics in Ottawa and I'll try to keep this post updated but of course, I might be missing a few. Send me a msg to let me know if you come across and good ones.

Top 5 Best Open Mics In Ottawa

1. Redbird

My top pick for best open mic currently in Ottawa, is RedBird. Redbird is a new location in Ottawa and located in Old Ottawa South. Their space is dedicated to performance, education, and the live music experience. I've had the opportunity to perform at Redbird in Jauary of 2023  and it was a lovely experience. It was a sold out show that included such a warm and attentive audience. The RedBird open mics happens on Tuesday nights. They call it an Open Stage. You can see their events page here. I try to attend the open stage whenever I can. 

It's a perfect stage to try out a new song with a supportive and attentive audience. Unlike most open mics, there is a draw to this open mic of people from around the neighbourgood who just like to attend for the music. As a singer songwriter, this gives you the chance to perform your music to new people in a safe space.

Their open mic happens on Tuesday night and sign up is usually around 7pm or done online. Click here for open mic details.

2. LowerTown Brewery

The Lowertown Brewery hosts an open mic every Thursday in the Byward Market. I was lucky enough to be a featured artists there and perform a 25 minute set.

The LowerTown Pub is a big space and it draws a lot of people from the market who are keen for some good beer and southern cookin'. The host, Mike, is an all around great chap and he's building an active community that is focused around supporting artists. For example, if you are selected to be a featured artist, you could paid! That's pretty unheard of. Kudos to Mike!

Their open mic happens on Thursday night and sign up is usually around 8pm. Click here for open mic details.

3. Pourboys

PourBoys is a cozy open mic that opens on Wednesday nights hosted by Ottawa local musician, Chris Zimmerman. Chris has been in the open mic community since I moved back to Ottawa and I met him when he was hosting the open mic at the Glebe Central Pub. Chris is a great guy and puts a lot of work into his open mic, having a featured artist slot as well. I really like the idea of the featured artist slot because it gives singer songwriters a chance to feel like a 'show' without having the pressure of selling tickets. It's like a show with training wheels on.

Their open mic happens on Wednesday night and sign up is usually around 8pm. Click here for open mic details.

4. The Laff

This open mic might be older than me? I know the Laff, in the Byward Market, has been around for such a long time. The open mic also happens on Tuesday nights so I find myself missing it a lot because I enjoy going to the RedBird open mic. I've attended a few Tuesday at the Laff over the years though and I always leave with a smile. The host, John Carroll, is an Ottawa music legend. He starts the show and performs some of his own music, I really enjoy that part. John also has a distinct understanding of an artists musical journey and is patient to everone who attends that open mic, whethere they're a seasoned pro or just beginning.

Their open mic happens on Tuesday night and sign up is usually around 8pm. Click here for open mic details.

5. Live On Elgin

I'm a big fan of Live on Elgin since I started performing their in 2019. They've done so much to support the up and coming artist community in Ontario by giving artists and bands a platform to showcase their talents. I've seen countless shows there as well and I'm always recommending it as a place to perform to my touring friends who are coming from Toronto or Montreal.

The Live on Elgin open mic is on Tuesday nights as well and I find myself missing it because I'm at the RedBird open mic. I've still taken time out on my Tuesday night and attended the Live on Elgin open mic. I find the crowd there is a bit younger, early 20s or so, probably has to do with it being on Elgin and close to Ottawa U. Not as an attentive crowd if you're trying to play a soft singer songwriter tune you just wrote. But if you're ready to belt out a classic cover, then this is the place for you. You'll the crowd singing with you.

Their open mic happens on Tuesday night and sign up is usually around 8pm. Click here for open mic details.

Honourable Mention Open Mics In Ottawa

The open mic scene is ever changing in Ottawa and there are a lot of open mics that pop up around the city. Especially in the colder months where we can huddle around the pub and listen to the new up and coming singer songwriters around the city. Here are a few more which I like to attend when I can.

Meow It's Hot

The Meow It's Hot open mic is brand new and is already becoming one of my favourite open mics to attend in Ottawa. Why? Well, first, the place is small and the audience is quiet and attentive which may leave you shaking in your boots but it's comforting to try out a new tune to a receptive and attentive audience. I've played there to about 10-15 people and the place felt packed. It's a good vibe!

The other reason I really like it is, it's original music only. I find it can be tiring going to some open mics and you hear Hallelujah for the thousandth time. I mean, Leonard Cohen is a genius but sometimes you want to shake things up a bit. A Meow It's Hot, you'll always be hearing different tunes. When I tour Europe and play the the open mics there, it's a given that you will only play originals. It's funny how that rarely happens here.

Their open mic happens on Tuesday night and sign up is usually around 8pm. Click here for open mic details.

Irene's Pub

Irene's Pub is a classic and needs no introduction if you've been in Ottawa for some time. I've never been to their open mic thought because it happens on Saturday afternoon and I never find myself ready to play at this time. Oh well, I think it's worth checking out either way because they always host talented musicians a few nights a week and they have great beer on tap.

Their open mic happens on Saturday afternoons. Click here for open mic details.

Final Thoughts On Best Open Mics In Ottawa

If you know of any other open mics in Ottawa, please feel free to send me an email and let me know, I'd be happy to update this list so we can share it with other singer songwriters in the community.

I think having a strong open mic scene in the city helps grow and develop songwriters because it gives them a platform to play more regularly and you really need that if you're an artists. You can't just play to yourself fall day. You need to play in public and see what people think of your art, that' what I believe. When I fist started my career as a singer songwriter in Berlin, I performed at open mics 4 or 5 times a week because I wanted to get better. If you're reading this and you're a songwriter then follow me on Youtube or if you just enjoy listening to music, then check out my music.