elcon

Hi All,
Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for pubs or small clubs in London with live music or open mic nights. I thought possibly I had asked this before, but couldn't find it in a search so if I am repeating myself I apologize. I will be in London 5/21-5/27 and staying in Mayfair near Green Park. I am interested mostly in acoustic/rock/blues/indie music. Jazz is good too. Thanks for your help.

laurie_ann

I don't have a specific suggestion but the online version of the magazine www.timeout.com/london is a good source for all kinds of events including music.

bgr8ful

bookmarking

Cholmondley_Warner

There's loads - but not in the centre. Certainly not around Mayfair.

Also most "open mics" require you to contact them before so they can make sure you're not a loony, or someone who's going to mangle Stairway to Heaven.

elcon

Thanks for the input. Let me be clear, I like to listen to others at open mic nights, not perform myself. I wouldn't dare inflict torture on the good people of London!

Cholmondley_Warner

There's a good one at the Half Moon in Putney.

There's another good one at the Eel Pie in Twickenham.

crellston

For blues I would recommend http://www.theblueskitchen.com/ It is in Camden which is a fair way from Mayfair but IMO it is worth the trip.(The food is pretty good too)

nona1

~I'd avoid open mic nights. Mr N does these. I no longer go. If I have to hear one more teenage girl screeching through 'Valer-bloody-rie' I'm going to commit suicide by pulling my own spleen out through my mouth.

The singers are usually ok, but you don't hear much in the way of rock/blues/indie/jazz. In all the sessions I went to only once did someone accompany themselves on a musical instrument in a way that counts as 'live' music. Otherwise they just sing along to backing tapes. A few pop songs, a couple of country and western for some reason, but otherwise nearly all cheesy-as-hell golden oldie stuff. Even the youngsters are up there singing just weirdly old-fashioned stuff (considering their ages).

You can tell how much I enjoyed them...

nona1

oh and you get loads of knobby old men in wrinkled suits doing the whole Sinatra crooner act but without being handsome, sauve, or good singers. And then they sit there letching at your tits while making really bad jokes, and when you don't laugh, they get in a huff.

Or maybe that's just me.

sap

Geez, Nona, what an image! I visit the UK forum daily for my humor fix - constant confirmation that Brits are the funniest people on earth.