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Open mics (frequently mis-spelled as “Open Mike”) are a great way for musicians, particularly singer/songwriters, to play to an audience without the hoop-jumping of getting a real gig (of course, that audience consists almost entirely of people exactly like you.) The San Francisco Bay Area has a bunch; pick an open mic at random and go check it out — jam on some rock, jazz, blues, alternative, indie, whatever. Always call first before heading out to make sure it’s on; some open mics don’t happen every week. If you know of other open mics, please tell me. This other open mic list has more info on jazz and blues open mics. Thank you to everyone who has written to provide updates!
Monthlies
Last Sunday of the month: Caffe Trieste (Market & Gough) | site | Open Mic Sing-Off | Music Genres: Broadway Type Show Tunes, Musical Theatre & Light Opera (in Italian or English) | With prizes ($50, $25, $10) for the winners. House piano available for use, or bring an instrumental CD to play on the sound system. Late sign ups 1 hour before the event (1pm - 1:45pm). Sign up via e-mail to reserve a performance slot. | | (510) 334-5300 | 1667 Market St. (at Gough) | San Francisco | 2pm - 5pm
3rd Friday of every month: West Coast Songwriters Song Competition | Coffee Catz, 6761 Sebastopol Ave., Sebastopol, tel. (707) 829-6600 | Members' original work professionally judged. Prizes | 6:30pm sign-up, 7:00pm perform. Hosts: Ken Risling & Kate Sholl, (707) 799-4349, . Free to public, $4 to perform. Become a member at event.
4th Monday of every month: 1751 Social Club | 1751 Fulton St. @ Masonic, San Francisco | sign up at 7:30, show at 8:00 | transitions into a full gig; stay after to jam out with Ari's band.
1st Tuesday of every month: Open Mic Night at the Rockit Room | 406 Clement Street @ 5th Avenue, San Francisco | 8pm til midnight | Happy Hour all night and lots of drink specials. 2 songs per performer and extras if time permits.
Sundays
Black Magic Voodoo Lounge - every other Sunday - call to confirm | 1400 Lombard St., San Francisco | 415-931-8711 | 4-9pm
The Stork Club | 2330 Telegraph Ave | Oakland | 510-444-6174
Mondays
Hotel Utah | 500 4th St. at Bryant, South of Market, San Francisco | 415-546-6300 | Hosted by Bob Willard - HOMIBOB@aol.com | Put your name in the hat by 7:30; performance order is picked out of the hat between 7:30-8:00 pm. A popular and well-attended open mic, you will be allowed to play just one song. The roster usually stretches over 40 performers. If your number is higher than 20, you'll probably be playing late (after midnight).
The Riptide | site | 3639 Taraval @ 47th Avenue, San Francisco | 415-681-TIDE | sign up at 8, show at 9
Brainwash | site | 1122 Folsom St | Free Feature Salon | 8pm | Hosted by Guinevere Q
Pier 23 Cafe | site | San Francisco | 415-362-5125
Bear's Lair at UC Berkeley | 2475 Bancroft Way @ Telegraph, Berkeley CA | 510-843-5247 | show 8:00
The Freight & Salvage | site | 1111 Addison Street, Berkeley | signup 7:30 | 510-548-1761 | $4.50 cover charge
Blake's | 2367 Telegraph, Oakland CA | 510-655-0300 | Hosted by Steve Gannon
Eli’s Mile High Club | 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Oakland | 510-428-1935 | Hosted by Scott Duncan | Blues jam.
Sweetwater Saloon | site | 153 Throckmorton Ave, Mill Valley | 415-388-2820 | show 8pm | Hosted by Austin deLone
Peri's Silver Dollar Salon | 29 Broadway, Fairfax | 415-721-4086 | Show at 9pm | Hosted by Mike McShea
19 Broadway | 19 Broadway, Fairfax | 415-459-1091 | Show at 9:30pm | Hosted by Derek Smith
Tuesdays
Coffee to the People| 1206 Masonic Ave (1 block east of Haight & Ashbury), San Francisco | 415-626-2435 | Host: Dogman Joe | Sign up at 6:30, starts 7:00, ends 9:30 | PA system | performers get 2 songs or 10 minutes, and 20% off food and drinks | Become a Featured Artist by talking to the host
Wilde Oscar’s | 1900 Folsom @ 15th Street, San Francisco | signup at 7:30; show at 8:00 | Outmusic Outloud is an open mic for LGBT musicians. All styles of music are welcome.
The Park | 747 Third Street, between King and Townsend, San Francisco | call 415-974-1925 after 3pm on the day of the show or email . SF Giants game days cancel, so check the SF Giants site. | 8-11pm | 10 minute slots, up to 15 performers | hosted by Jeff Yates
The Freight & Salvage | site | 1111 Addison Street, Berkeley | sign up at 7:30 | 510-548-1761 | $4.50 cover charge
Starry Plough (almost every week) | 3101 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley | 510-841-2082 | show at 7:30
No Name Bar | 757 Bridgeway, Sausalito | 415-332-1392 | Sign up at 7:30, show at 8 | Hosted by Damir
McGrath's Irish Pub | 1539 Lincoln Avenue, Alameda | 925-522-6263 | show at 8. Sign up by phone during the week | Blues, folk, rock, jazz, R&B, etc. (no spoken word/poetry). Available house instruments: piano, acoustic guitars, congas, stand-up bass, violin. | This event has a rotating host; e-mail Kimberly ( ) if interested in hosting an evening
Jasper O'Farrell's | 6957 Sebastopol Avenue, Sebastopol | 707-829-2062 | MC Steve Horton claims that this is the oldest open mic in Sonoma County — 15 years running. Big stage, drums, bass & guitar to use (or players to accompany you, if you like); spoken word or magic acts are welcome and encouraged. | Signup: 8pm, Show: 8.30pm 'til 1am (sometimes later). Terms: 1 - 3 songs, depending on the crowd.
Wednesdays
Triangle Lounge | 3231 Fillmore St. (Lombard and Greenwich), San Francisco | 415-567-4004 | sign up at 8 | contact: Erik Alan | Doors open at 8:00 pm and the music begins around 8:30 pm and usually ends around midnight.
The Mayflower Inn | 1533 4th, San Rafael | 415-456-1011 | show 7:30 | Hosted by Matthew Vrba
Pat's Bar | Wednesday Blues Jam | 1517 Franklin St. at 14th, Oakland | 510-452-3338 | 8 to 12 midnight
Missouri Lounge | 2600 San Pablo Avenue @ Parker, Berkeley | 510-548-2080 | Hosted by Paul Pot | sign up at 7:30 | Founded in 1953, the Missouri is one of the last standing Berkeley dive bars along the San Pablo Avenue corridor. It's got a full bar, pool table, big-ass TV, and fresh coat of paint.
B
Street Billiards | site |
164 South B Street, San Mateo |
650-343-1875 | 8-10pm | There’s a PA to plug into if you want, and the scene is very chill — perfect for
people needing to work their nerves out.
Thursdays
Southwest corner of 16th & Mission | near the BART entrance — right on the sidewalk | San Francisco | Usually gets going between 9:30-10pm and lasts until midnight. All manner of performers are welcome - musicians, MCs, poets, etc. There is no sign-up sheet, and no time limit. This is a completely democratic and unique outdoor venue. More info at 16thmission.com
The RockIt Room | 406 Clement Street @ 5th Avenue, San Francisco | 8pm til midnight | Happy Hour all night and lots of drink specials. 2 songs per performer and extras if time permits.
Bazaar Cafe | site | 5927 California Street, San Francisco | 415-831-5620 | show at 7 | Hosted by Tom Meshishnek
In the Company of Wolves (coffee house) | site | 737 1st Street, Benicia | 707-746-0572 | Hosted by Tony
Dallimonti's Restaurant | 1932 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill | 925-944-5224 | Host: Steve Star | Show at 8:30pm until midnight. Guitars & amps available.
Fridays
Cafe International | site | 508 Haight Street, San Francisco | 415-552-7390 | sign up 7:30-8:30pm; show at 8 | Hosted by Ramu
Saturdays
Java on Ocean | 1700 Ocean, San Francisco | 415-587-3126 | show at 7
The Red Victorian Peace Cafe | 1665 Haight Street @ Cole, San Francisco | 415-864-1978 | 5 to 9 pm | www.redvic.com | www.peacearts.com
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