Los Angeles is full of stages, but getting booked on one is hard when nobody knows your name yet. A music open mic is the easiest way in: no audition, no booking, just a song or two in front of a real audience. It’s where you test new material, get comfortable on stage and meet other musicians, and in a city this big, the people you meet at an open mic often become your next collaborators. Ready to book your own shows? You can also contact booking agents and venues directly through Groover.
The catch: many LA open mics listed online have closed, ended or turn out to be comedy nights. So we checked every one on this list, and kept only music nights.
Updated October 2026. Every open mic and jam session below had upcoming dates or a current schedule on the venue’s or organizer’s own page when we checked. Days and times change often, so look at their page before you go.
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How do open mics in Los Angeles work?
LA open mics are busy, so many of them use a lottery: you put your name in a basket or a hat, and the host draws the running order. Others ask you to sign up online in advance. Slots are short, often one or two songs. Most nights are free to attend, but read the small print: some ask performers to buy a drink or an item, and a few charge per song. Age rules vary too, from all-ages listening rooms to 21+ bars, and every venue has its own gear rules (backing tracks allowed or not, bands or solo only). At jazz jams, bring charts in your key.
Here are the 10 best places to play on the open mic Los Angeles scene, from Monday to Sunday, plus a jazz bonus.
| Day | Open mic or jam | Area | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Kulak’s Woodshed | North Hollywood | Singer-songwriters |
| Monday | Hang On to the Dream | Hollywood | Singers and bands |
| Monday | Pauhaus Open Mic Music | Melrose | All genres, backing tracks |
| Monday and Wednesday | The Lighthouse Cafe | Hermosa Beach | Jazz and jam players |
| Tuesday | KavaHana Open Mic | Santa Monica | Original songs |
| Wednesday (afternoon) | The Lyric Sessions | Silver Lake | Singer-songwriters |
| Wednesday | Writers ‘Round: Los Angeles | North Hollywood | Songwriters |
| Wednesday | Uniting Jams | Downtown | Instrumentalists |
| Sunday | The World Stage vocal jazz jam | Leimert Park | Jazz singers |
| Sunday | The Mint Jazz Sunday jam | Mid-City (Pico) | Jazz players |
1. Kulak’s Woodshed (North Hollywood)
Where: 5230 1/2 Laurel Canyon Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91607 · When: every Monday, show around 8pm · Sign-up: in person, 7pm to 7:30pm
Created by Paul Kulak in 1999 and run by volunteers, Kulak’s Woodshed is a small listening room where, in the venue’s words, artists range “from beginners to Grammy winners”. The Monday open mic is popular: 35 performers are drawn by lottery from a basket on stage, and each one plays one song. Every performance is filmed and webcast, and you can get a download of your song for a $20 donation. The audio gear is all there, and you can use the house acoustic guitar and grand piano. Solo acts only: no bands, no backing tracks, and no profanity (children watch the webcast). All ages are welcome, and there’s no alcohol on site.
2. Hang On to the Dream Open Mic Mondays (Hollywood)
Where: Hang On to the Dream Theatre, 1625 N. Las Palmas Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028 · When: every Monday, 7pm to 10pm · Sign-up: first come, first served, when you arrive
Right between Hollywood Boulevard and Selma, the Hang On to the Dream Theatre runs a Monday open mic for singers and bands of all ages and levels. Every performer plays at least 2 songs in a row, originals or covers, and when everyone has had a turn, the list starts again from the top. Bring your guitar, violin or banjo, or play to a backing track from your phone. Spoken word and poetry artists are welcome too. Tickets (around $7) are on Eventbrite.
3. Pauhaus Open Mic Music (Melrose)
Where: Pauhaus Gallery, 5239 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 · When: every Monday, 7pm · Cost: $5 entry, plus $5 per song
Pauhaus is a creative space on Melrose, and its Monday night is for music only, all genres welcome. Sign-up is at the door, with a 15-slot lottery, and you can plug in a backing track. Note that this is a pay-to-play night: $5 to get in and $5 per song you perform. The upside: musicians who come regularly can get a 30-minute set at one of the gallery’s songwriter showcases.
4. The Lighthouse Cafe (Hermosa Beach)
Where: 30 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 · When: Jazz Jam Session every Monday, 8pm, and South Bay Jam every Wednesday, 8pm · Age: 21+
Jam sessions are part of this club’s history. The Lighthouse first showcased jazz on May 29, 1949, when bassist Howard Rumsey started a recurring Sunday jam session, and its house band, the Lighthouse All-Stars, welcomed guests like Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan and Miles Davis. Today the club hosts a jazz jam every Monday and a second jam, the South Bay Jam, every Wednesday. Bring your instrument and check the weekly schedule on the club’s site, as private events occasionally replace a night.
5. KavaHana Open Mic (Santa Monica)
Where: 306 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405 · When: every Tuesday, 7:30pm to 10pm · Sign-up: in advance, through the form on KavaHana’s website
The Westside pick, and one for songwriters: this kava bar’s Tuesday open mic is original songs only (no covers, no backing tracks). Each performer gets 1 song, 5 minutes at most. The venue provides a PA and a keyboard, so just bring your guitar or instrument. It’s free to attend, with a one-drink minimum for performers.
6. The Lyric Sessions at Lyric Hyperion (Silver Lake)
Where: Lyric Hyperion Theater & Bar, 2106 Hyperion Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · When: every Wednesday, 4:30pm to 6:30pm · Sign-up: in advance at slotted.co/thelyricsessions
An open mic for musicians in a Silver Lake black box theater, hosted by Brynna Campbell. It runs in the late afternoon, which means an attentive audience of your peers, good acoustics and, as the organizers put it, “fewer beers spilt on your equipment”. There’s an in-house keyboard and track playback, so you can leave the big rig at home. It’s free, with a one-item minimum to perform, and you can stay on the patio afterwards to meet your future bandmates.
7. Writers ‘Round: Los Angeles (North Hollywood)
Where: Universal Bar and Grill, 4093 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91602 · When: every Wednesday, doors 7pm, music from 8pm · Entry: free
Launched in November 2019 as LA’s first weekly Nashville-style songwriter round, Writers ‘Round puts three songwriters on stage together, taking turns and telling the stories behind their songs. The main rounds are curated, but after each one, artists in the audience can drop their name in “The Hat” for a chance to play a shorter open round, and the night ends with an open jam. There’s never a cover charge: the organizers just ask you to buy food or drinks and tip the performers. The venue is all ages until 10pm, with free parking. Note that the night has moved venues over the years, so older listings may give the wrong address.
8. Uniting Jams at Secret Spot DTLA (Downtown)
Where: Secret Spot DTLA, 1040 South Los Angeles Street, Unit #7, Los Angeles, CA 90015 · When: every Wednesday, sign-up 7pm, jam 7:30pm to 10pm · Entry: $5 ticket or donation
A weekly open jam for players of all skill levels and styles, Downtown. You bring your instrument, jump on stage and improvise with rotating groups of local musicians. Plan to bring your own gear too: the organizers list drumsticks, cables, pedals and amps among the things to bring. It’s $5 at the door (plus $2 if you pay by card or app). Best for instrumentalists rather than singer-songwriters.
9. The World Stage Vocal Jazz Jam (Leimert Park)
Where: World Stage Performance Gallery, 4321 Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008 · When: every Sunday, 8pm to 11pm · Entry: $5 suggested donation
Want to sing with a live band? At this Leimert Park performance space, Sunday night is for vocalists only: you sing with a live piano trio, usually two songs each. The repertoire is mainly jazz standards, with the odd R&B or pop song if the trio knows it. Bring a clear lead sheet in your key (3 copies). The organizers suggest the iReal Pro app to find your key. All ages, free parking. Instrumentalists have their own jam at The World Stage on Thursday evenings.
10. The Mint Jazz Sunday Jam (Mid-City)
Where: The Mint, 6010 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035 · When: every Sunday, jam from 9pm · Entry: musicians buy a drink ticket
The Mint has been hosting music on Pico since 1937. On Sundays, a ticketed jazz show starts at 7pm, then drummer Kevin Kanner takes over for his weekly jazz jam: musicians can join anytime after 9pm, as long as they buy a drink ticket. A good place to play with experienced jazz musicians in a historic room.
Bonus: Tuesday Happenings at Sam First (near LAX)
Where: Sam First, 6171 W Century Blvd #180, Los Angeles · When: Tuesdays, band at 7:30pm, jam 9:30pm to 11pm · Entry: ticketed
For confident jazz players. Sam First is a non-profit jazz club a few minutes’ walk from the LAX terminals, and its weekly “Tuesday Happenings” series is curated by pianist Gerald Clayton. A different host leads the house band each week for one set, then the stage opens for a jam session.
5 tips for your first open mic in LA
- Check before you go. LA open mics change nights, move venues or stop without much notice. A quick look at the venue’s page or Instagram saves a long drive.
- Read the rules. Originals only or covers welcome? Backing tracks or not? Bands or solo? Each venue has its own, and they’re usually on its page.
- Lead with your best song. With one song and a lottery, you may only get one shot. Pick the song you know inside out.
- Plan for traffic and parking. Arrive before the sign-up or the draw: if you’re late, you’re out.
- Stay and listen. That’s where you meet other musicians, find collaborators and sometimes get offered a gig. Have a link or QR code to your music ready.
Playing open mics, or even just going to them, is a great way to discover a city’s live music scene and the people who make it. Heading east? Check out our guide to the best open mics in New York City, and if you’re touring Europe, our picks for London and Berlin.
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