Nashville is made-up of stars, soon-to-be-stars, and some people who just want their songs to be heard. Whether you’re an aspiring legend, a long-time crooner seeking some fun, or a newcomer to the Nashville music scene, these are the best open mics and songwriters nights in Nashville.
Nashville’s Best Open Mic & Songwriters Nights
Tennessee Brew Works
Mondays | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Open Mic is every Monday night at Tennessee Brew Works from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Admission is free.
How to Play at Open Mic: Sign-ups start at 5:30pm and are first-come, first-served.
How to Schedule a Performance: Email the venue directly at music@tnbrew.com.
Bluebird Cafe
Mondays | 6:00pm – 9:00pm
With the Nashville television show, the Bluebird Cafe in Green Hills has gained even more popularity, making this one of the hottest open mics in the country and a go-to destination for Nashville visitors. Almost every country star has played at the Bluebird Cafe, so the stage emits positive vibes (even for non-country artists).
How to Play at Open Mic: In order to sign-up, you must call (615) 943-8168 between the hours of 11:00am and noon on Mondays. The Bluebird will take the first 18 songwriters who call to sign-up. Each songwriter is allowed one guest.
How to Schedule a Performance: Learn more about The Bluebird and how to play on a regular night here. It’s no easy process, but neither is sorting through all the submissions.
Commodore Grille at Holiday Inn Vanderbilt
Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays| Times Vary by Night
Songwriter rounds are alive and well at the Commodore Grille. Don’t be turned off by the hotel bar and grille—it’s a popular place to play and listen.
How to Play at Open Mic: Sign-ups start at 6:00pm and end once the slots are full. The open mic rounds begin at 10:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays and 9:00pm on Tuesdays. Only original songs are allowed and all songs must be family-friendly.
How to Schedule a Performance: For a Friday or Saturday performance, contact Commodore Grille via e-mail here.
Did we leave off your favorite songwriter’s night? Let us know in the comments.
Also theres a Open Mic/ Writers Night at Turn One Bar 3208 Gallatin Pike, East Nashville, 37216 (615) 432-2402
Every Thursday starting at 8pm
Hosted by song writers Jimmy Compton, Rachel VanSlyke and Caitlyn Kelly
Everyone and anyone open to play
The bar is 21 over and cash only
https://www.facebook.com/events/682352331834260/
Some great music going on at the Back Alley Diner right off of Arcade Alley…..songwriter night every Tuesday
I know Daisy Dukes has one on Monday nights.
Cafe Coco has an open mic on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Blue Bird and Douglas Corner are certainly the most popular ones.
Richards Cafe in Whites Creek, TN. It’s about 12 or 13 miles outside of Nashville but it’s one worth trying.
There’s a place called Skully’s Saloon that has a writers night on Thursday nights. It’s a little cliquey, I got in because I was introduced to the host, got to play an audition song, then ended up on the following weeks roster.
Puckett Grocery in Franklin or Leipers Fork rank up there? Worth checking out?
Hi Paul! Definitely worth checking out. We just don’t cover Franklin and Leipers Fork or they’d be on the list, too. Thanks for asking!
The Bluebird recently changed how to sign up. You now call in advance. Check out their Facebook page for more details. Happy playing 🙂
Thanks for the update, George! We updated the article. That’s a much easier process!
Have never been here but its always been a dream. Will defitely book some nights, when I head down. The Nashville tv show has also been an inspiration…Thank you for the heads up.. Have a great night..
My 14 yr old singer songwriter daughter will like to perform clean pop music,can you recommend a venue that can accommodate her on a weekend?Thanks
Are all open mic’s in Nashville 21+ or are there some for the slightly younger guys?
I don’t live in Nashville (yet), but I’m going there for vacation this summer and I’m stoked! I’m 14 and I write songs and sing, so this is a really helpful article for me, thank you for posting it!
Dumb question and I know this is Nashville and home of country music but do the open mic events also welcome folk/alternative songwriters?
Leigh, while many songwriters lean country or Americana, most styles of music are accepted at open mic nights as long as you play an acoustic guitar or piano.
Are there any open mic’s in Nashville for singers that are not songwriters? (sing covers)
Most open mic nights would probably allow covers, but it’s always good to call ahead and confirm.
Thank you so much for this article! Very helpful! I am 16 years old and not very experienced when it comes to performing in front of people… would these places you listed be good places for me to start playing? Or are these venues for more experienced artists? Thanks! 🙂
Four Points Sheraton on Old Hickory Blvd in Brentwood has a new open mic night starting at 6pm every Wednesday. Free parking, great food and cool venue
Where is the best place for a Christian songwriter to play an open mic?
There’s also Phatbites, located in Donelson, just outside of downtown. Starts around 9:00 PM every tuesday night, and it’s a real chill, relaxed place with welcoming people who do all sorts of styles/genres of music. both covers and originals are welcome!
Glad to be back. Been living in Denver CO for the past 7 years. Can’t wait to hit the writer nights again. Thanks for the info. “Write on”
Bobbies Idle Hour. Thursday nights. contact: Janet Or Charles Cox. They also have Sam’s Jam. On music row off 16th street
Same kind of question as above. I’ve written what I think are great pop/rock songs and am not a powerful vocalist, but want someone to hear them. Any venues that cater to just the song, not the singer ?(although I’m not bad)
Are there any Christian specific songwriters nights in the Nashville/Franklin area?
I hear comments wondering if cover can be played. Calling ahead, especially if you come a long way, but the general terms are two. a: Open Mics, you can play cover. some allow poetry. Hence “Open Mic” Writers nights (not always night) is just that. You can only play original music. Lizard’s: Bobby’s Idle Hour, 1028 16th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37212 is full of writer’s nights. It is best to go to bobbysidlehour.com and check out the calendar. Monday night is Comedy Night. Sign up at the door 7pm until 9pm. Original 4 minute stand up. Wednesday starts at Noon with Sam’s Jams and runs until 8pm. Should book in advance, but sometimes people don’t show and Sam Cooper keeps a first come sign up to fill occasional empty slots. No guarantee to play. Thursday is one of the longest run Writers Nights anywhere, hosted my Janet and Charles Cox starting at 7:00pm. Last round starts around 10:45pm Advanced sign up is highly advised. Sign up for no-show spots are first sigh up. Friday Nights and Sunday nights are run by Rocky Dimmick. See site for sign up information.
Additional to Thursday night at Lizards: Bobby’s Idle Hour is Thursday night ends with a guitar pull starting around 11:00pm. No sign up or guitar necessary. It’s Nashville Special
I’m a traveling drummer looking to play a stage in every state. Are there any “house band” style open mics in Nashville?
http://lightning100.com/writersnight/
Will be in Nashville the last week of October and will be performing. Your site is awesome!!
I am a professional vocalist I sang jingles in NYC from 1978-1994 Sing blues-country-classic soul. I am a high baritone and can sing country ballads very well in the style of Allan Jackson, George Strait, Conway Twitty, Tracy Byrd and Randy Travis if you would like me to perform or sing a demo for you. I did all the solo work in the 1989 Super Bowl Halftime Show. This was not a country show 🙁
I just began hosting a monthly open mic called “In the Vault” at The Bowery Vault, every last Saturday of the month. Sign up at 3pm
Full backline provided. Bands & Songwriters welcome
at The Bowery Vault, 2905 C Gallatin Pike, Nashville TN
No cover, cold beer and jarritos served.
Free styling advice and 15% off for all performers
Bubba, you can try the live Karaoke at The Sutler, they might let you sit in. Also, there’s a jazz jam at The Commodore on Tuesday nights if you play that style of music, sometimes there’s drums.
My name is Keld Sand and I’m a self-taught artist from Denmark. I bought my first guitar in 1960, began to practice Elvis Presley songs. I have been performing in many countries, lately Vietnam and Togo (west africa). I’m heading for Graceland next week and I will arrive Nashville the 21th of October and stay there for 3 days! Do you think it will be possible for me to perform (open mic) I would really love that! I hope you can help me and hope to see you there! Kind regards, Keld Sand.
My son and I will be in Nashville November 8-11. He is checking out Belmont and MTSU because music is who he is. We would love to find a venue for him to play his acoustic guitar. He can cover anything, but is really a jazz enthusiast. He does compose and arrange as well. We are coming from Norwalk, Iowa and it’s a really short stay so any suggestions would be appreciated! Thank you!
My 16 year old daughter and I are heading to Nashville to tour Belmont and MTSU Nov. 9th and 10th. She is a singer/songwriter and would like to perform at open mics while we are in town. She plays acoustic guitar and just completed her first EP. Do you have any suggestions for us?
This page is great! Is all the information still current? I’m coming down next week and would love to sing and play my ukulele!
Do any of the venues have drums that one can play with others who are performing?
The Listening Room is by far one of the BEST places in town for a songwriter round.
I am a sax player that would love the opportunity to sit in with a performing band for a song or 2, going to be in town Sept 16 thru 19th, any body do anything like this?
I’m a country singer coming in from Houston in June. I wanted to do an open mic, but I don’t play guitar. Do you know of any places that have a band that will back you up, or perhpas a way to find a guitar player locally? I have sheet music to my originals. I’d pay them a small fee of course.
I do occasional songwriter open mics here in New Smyrna Beach FL. If I visit Nashville, what are the chances that I will be able to perform at one of the songwriter open mics that you have listed? Is it difficult to get on the agendas?
I’m coming to Nashville and would love to play a few of my originals at an open mic. Any open mics that have a piano available for use and either on a weekend or Wed night?
Wanna give a shout to Keith Mohr’s ‘Nashville Rising Song’ as well…it’s a competition held a few times a year, but via an open mic format. Any genre, and skill level. You just show up and sign up, and the first 20 or so who get their name in get to play. And then there’s a judges and audience vote on best song out of the night, and the best advance. You can come back and play every week if you want. Very positive environment. Not affiliated, but done it myself a few times, and I recommend it. It’s an open mic with the potential to get some real feedback on your work, which is pretty cool!
To posters about Christian music: CCM is 2nd to country music here, I’ve heard it at least once at every open mic venue I’ve been to. In fact you can play anything you want anywhere you want, except heavy metal at Kimbros.
To posters about who can play: Check website or call venue, but genly it’s always open to all. Only difficult if they’re super popular, like Bluebird, Kimbros, or Douglas.
Cocos has a piano.
Here are a few other places not listed (if I repeat I apologize) tho they push the bounds of Nashville-Local.
Tues: Bluebar and Back Room, Fat Bytes Deli, Kimbros, song pull at Authentic Coffee. Wed: Guest House Extended Stay, Belcourt Taps. Thurs: Turn-One Bar, Puckets, Papa Turney’s BBQ. Sat: Uncommon Grounds (1st ea month) Sun: Clearwater.
If its bluegrass you’re after, start w Authentic on Fridays, then ask around for the jams every night of the week somewhere around town.
For the posters asking about Christian oriented venues. UnCommon Grounds (1st Sat) is a Messianic coffee house. Not specifically an outreach, but building is owned by a church. Bluegrass jam on Fridays, and informal song circle on Tues at Authentic Coffee, is run by Jeff, an extremely devout man who’s put more Bibles in the room than tables.
For those who do not follow the Christian religion, I say that neither of these places will make you feel the slightest out of place. In fact, for those new to Nashville, these two will be the most laid back, community oriented, helpful advice packed places you’ll ever visit.
Wednesdays at the Fillin Station in Kingston Springs
The band ANA hosts a Jam Night at Bowie’s Nashville every single Wednesday. You can bring your own instrument or be ready to sing a tune. Either way, come hang out!
I saw the question has been asked, but not fully answered: Which songwriter’s open mic/showcase venues have keyboards/pianos available? I’ve heard (above) Bluebird (not currently open) and Coco’s.
I’m an autistic and disabled Country/bluegrass artist coming to visit Nashville from Edinburgh, Scotland, looking for some venues in the area, who welcome and support diverse/challenging artists, to get my music heard. I know from loads of artists I’ve met, who got established in the Nashville scene, that the scene is very inclusive but, as my autism affects me very crippling social anxiety, I’m looking to network with some people (Promoters/open mic hosts etc.), who might be happy to offer some opportunities to get to play some gigs? Can anyone recommend?
Coming to Nashville in March… and looking for current locations for open mic, even coffee house…heck, a bird house that allows performers or impromptu?? Contests, Festivals, any suggestions welcome. Thanks!
Any open mic places that allow singers who cover other singers songs? ( not a songwriter) and not a guitar player either can sing acoustic with or without music
I have poems l have written. How do you get artists to record your poem to make a song? I am not musical and don’t play instruments.
I’m a singer songwriter who people say is pretty good. I have some amazing country songs and play a guitar some. Get a little bit antsy on stage. I just need someone to hear my songs. I think people will be surprised at how good they are. I truly believe that I have some songs that artists would love. Please give me an opportunity. Retired veteran.
whiskey jam @WINNERS BAR &GRILL
Driving out from SC in early September. What’s a good multi genre open mike in Nashville? I play blues, but dabble in a bit of everything, even country, covers and originals.
I’m starting an acoustic music circle jam (all instruments including horns) near Shelby Bottoms on Thursdays @ 6pm, on Davison St.
Can someone tell me the best place to spread the word about this?
TY
I am coming to Nashville for less than a week. I have an acapella song in waltz time, that I would like to sing. What might be the best open mic for that?
Fran’s East side is starting an open mic this Thursday and every Thursday from 7pm to 11pm. It’s open to all acts, music, poetry, burlesque, comedy, etc…. The vibe is accepting of all artistic expression and an inclusive and encouraging space. Come join us!
I am a poet, guitarist and singer; but not a song writer. My 16 year old daughter and I will be coming to Nashville; the last week of July. Will any venues allow me to sing cover/read my poetry and allow my daughter in?
Also come on out to Monday Night Artist Night, an open mic with a jam band, starting at 7 pm at The Vinyl Lounge!
Hey Guru – check us out at Kokomo Trading Company in Westhaven (Franklin) every Wednesday night. How do I get you more info?