Open mic nights are where South Florida’s next generation of musicians, poets and comedians actually gets built, in small rooms with a sign up sheet rather than a stage manager. Every venue below links to its full profile and its specific open mic night in our venue directory and gig calendar.
Thank You Miami, Miami
Thank You Miami runs a Wednesday open mic hosted by Trikstah, sign up at 8:30pm. 21 and up.
Tea & Poets, South Miami
A tea and coffee house rather than a bar, Tea & Poets runs a Wednesday night open mic built around music and poetry.
511 Bar & Lounge, Fort Lauderdale
Downtown, 511 Bar & Lounge runs a Sunday night open mic, sign up at 7pm.
My Mama’s Books Records Cafe, Dania Beach
Part bookstore, part record shop, part cafe, My Mama's Books Records Cafe runs a Tuesday night open mic for rotating acoustic acts.
Zen Mystery, Dania Beach
A few blocks away, Zen Mystery runs the Organic Open Mic every Friday, mixing music, comedy and poetry, sign up at 6:30pm.
The Funky Biscuit, Boca Raton
South of both cities, The Funky Biscuit runs a Monday night open mic in Mizner Park.
Miami and Fort Lauderdale’s open mic scenes look different once you actually visit them. Thank You Miami and Tea and Poets both lean toward a listening room crowd, while 511 Bar and Lounge, My Mama’s Books Records Cafe and Zen Mystery run looser, friendlier nights where a first timer with three chords is just as welcome as a regular with a full set. None of these charge a cover, and none require signing up in advance online, which keeps the barrier to entry low for anyone who wants to try a new song in front of a real room. If you are looking for more curated live music rather than an open floor, check our Miami live music guide and Fort Lauderdale live music guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find an open mic in Miami?
Thank You Miami runs a Wednesday open mic hosted by Trikstah, and Tea and Poets in South Miami runs one on Wednesdays built around music and poetry.
Is there an open mic in Fort Lauderdale?
511 Bar and Lounge downtown runs one on Sundays, and nearby Dania Beach has two more at My Mama’s Books Records Cafe on Tuesdays and Zen Mystery on Fridays.
Do I need to sign up in advance for these open mics?
No. Every one on this list is a walk in sign up sheet on the night, though arriving close to the posted sign up time gives you a better slot.
