These are some of the best open mic spots in Toronto

Torontonians are eager as ever to hit the town after a long pandemic, so we’ve created a comprehensive list of up to date open mics in the city of Toronto for all genres, including poetry, spoken word, comedy and music.

Open mic nights were generally popular before the pandemic, but they seem to be even more so now as the city opens up again. David Craver, who lives in Atlanta, is the brain behind an international open mic network and directory. While the network offers free listings for all open mic events, Craver also offers an upgraded service that sends proactive emails about upcoming open mic events in the surrounding area. Craver says there are five Canadian open mic sites, including the one dedicated to Toronto, with approximately 1,500 musicians presently registered in Toronto.

“We’re seeing a really good resurgence,” he said.

Read below for a list open mic nights in Toronto broken down by day of the week, location and frequency.

MONDAY

The Painted Lady Ossington

Address: 218 Ossington Ave.

Frequency: Weekly

Genre: All (two songs per artist)

Provided: full backline

Time: 8 p.m. sign up/ 8:30 p.m. start

Cover: Free

Free Times Cafe

Address: 320 College St.

Frequency: Weekly

Genre: Comedy

Time: 7 p.m. Email phamkg@gmail.com to get on the list

Cover: Free

TUESDAY

Handlebar

Address: 159 Augusta Ave.

Frequency: Weekly

Genre: All

Time: 8 p.m. sign up/ 8:30 p.m. start

Cover: Free

Free Times Cafe

Address: 320 College St.

Address: TheMix669 formerly B-Side Lounge – 669 College St W.

Frequency: Weekly

Genre: Music (10-15 min slots)

Time: 7 p.m. in-person sign up/ 9 p.m. start/ 12 a.m. “Chaos Jam”

Cover: $5 cover (waived for performers who advertise a 15-min spot one week in advance on social media)

“‘Beyond B-SIDE’ is the spiritual successor of the previous Wednesday open mic held at B-Side before the pandemic (as well as the old Sunday open mic held at Remix as the owners have since purchased B-Side and renamed it “The Mix),” said host Adam Golding, who is also a candidate for city council.

“‘Beyond B-Side’ is the only open mic in town that allows you to sign up for a time slot one week in advance so you can tell your friends what time you’re on!” said Golding. You can RSVP using the link to the latest event page which is posted weekly on Golding’s website.

THURSDAY

The Groove

Address: 1952 Danforth Ave.

Frequency: Weekly

Genre: Comedy

Time: Comedians sign in before 10 p.m./ start at 9:30 p.m.

Cover: Free

Taco Taco

Address: 319 Augusta Ave.

Frequency: Weekly

Genre: Music (10 minute sets)

Provided: Mics, cables, speakers, a mixer, house guitar, keyboard and drums

Time: 8 p.m. start. Email 416magician@gmail.com for pre-registration

Cover: Free (and musicians get drink specials before 9 p.m.)

SUNDAY

FreeF’all Sundays—longest standing open mic in the city of Toronto (having just celebrated their 14th year in March)

Address: 286 Augusta Ave.

Frequency: Monthly on the last Sunday of the month

Genre: Music

Time: 5 p.m. pre sign up/ 7 p.m. start

Cover: Free

Nothing Fancy comedy club

Address: 1185 Dundas St. W.

Frequency: Weekly

Genre: Comedy (four minute sets)

Time: 6 p.m. sign up in-person/ 7 p.m. start

Cover: Free (but a drink purchase grants you an additional minute of stage time)

OBJX Studio

Address: 100 Symes Road Unit 200a

Frequency: Weekly

Genre: Open mic and jam sessions (six musician slots and four performance artists slots)

Time: 6 p.m. sign up/ 7 p.m. start/ 10 p.m. open jam session

Cover: Free