Updated: 19 Jan 2017
MONDAY
destination : INK
What it is: An open mic that celebrates the power of words. It’s more a spoken-word (poetry, prose) open mic rather than music, but this event is nonetheless very supportive of musicians. You’ll find a family of fellow writers who will welcome you with open arms.
When: 2nd Monday of the month, 8pm onwards, $4 entry fee.
Where: BluJaz Cafe, 3rd floor, 12 Bali Lane, Singapore 189848
How to sign up: Send a Facebook message to spacer.gif collective
TUESDAY
The Diarist Sessions
What it is: An open mic which “aims to give songwriters an honest place to perform original compositions in an environment suitable for musical appreciation”. It caters to a discerning crowd that listens to and appreciates original music.
When: Second Tuesday of the month
Where: Currently, it’s held at The Music Parlour, 3 Coleman Street, #04-20 Peninsula Shopping Centre
How to sign up: Email thediaristsessions@gmail.com for more information.
Follow The Diarists Sessions on Facebook.
THURSDAY
Open Mic @ The Beast
What it is: It’s hard to miss The Beast, a Southern American restaurant and bar located prominently on the corner of Jalan Klapa and Victoria Street. It holds an open mic every Thursday, and performers get a 10-15 minute slot to play their originals (or covers).
When: Every Thursday, 7.30pm
Where: 17 Jalan Klapa, Singapore 199329
How to sign up: Register on the spot for a slot.
Follow The Beast on Facebook.
Overheard Sessions (Acoustic Open Mic)
What it is: The OverHeard Sessions is an artist showcase and open mic series held at The Barber Shop by Timbre. The Thursday sessions are open to all acoustic acts.
When: Every Thursday, 8pm onwards
Where: The Barber Shop by Timbre
How to sign up: Just show up!
SATURDAY
Saturday Original Sessions @ Hood Bar & Cafe
What it is: Hood Bar & Cafe is a live music joint located at the Bugis+ mall (formerly known as Iluma). Every night, its stable of cover bands entertain patrons with crowd pleasers. However, Hood is a gem in the original music scene because it opens it stage on Saturdays (yes, Saturdays) to bands that play original music. It’s a rarity because you hardly get original music gigs during prime bar time.
I’d like to point out, though, that this is more a showcase rather than an “open mic” as bands will need to meet a certain standard to be featured. Also, the original act is an opener of sorts for the bar’s resident cover band, who will take over the stage after the gig. Still, with the venue saying its aim is to “raise awareness of local talents with original music and content, and also allow the world a chance to see, hear and experience the original works of Singapore’s bands”, I’d say this place is definitely worth a shout out.
When: Every Saturday, 8pm
Where: Hood Bar and Cafe, Bugis+, 201 Victoria Street #05-07, Singapore 188067
How to sign up: Email clementyangxi@gmail.com for a slot. You get a 45 minute set.
Follow Hood Bar & Cafe on Facebook.
OverHeard Sessions (Saturday Showcase)
What it is: The OverHeard Sessions is an artist showcase and open mic series held at The Barber Shop by Timbre. The open mic is on Thursdays (see above), and you’ll need to register beforehand to perform in the Saturday Showcase.
When: Every Saturday, 7-9.30pm
Where: The Barber Shop by Timbre
How to sign up: Fill out an online form here
OTHER NOTABLE OPEN-MIC EVENTS
OOOM
What it is: The grand-daddy of open mics. It’s been around for ages, albeit in different formats and venues. Through the years, it has remained one of the most popular platforms for beginning songwriters. There are also ad-hoc events under the OOOM umbrella, such as festivals and themed-events, which are larger in scale, but still retain some of the open mic flavour.
When: Dates vary, so check their Facebook page for updates
Where: Various venues
How to sign up: Email ooom.sg@gmail.com to pre-register (advisable).
Follow OOOM on Facebook.
If you’re a songwriter in Singapore, I hope this list will come in handy. Open mics are one of the best platforms for songwriters to get their music heard. They were where I cut my teeth as a songwriter (and still do) and I am grateful for the many selfless individuals who actively organise original music gigs here. I’ll try my best to keep it current, but do tell me if I’ve missed out anything, a new one has started, or an existing one has changed. (Update: I’ve arranged the sessions according to the day of the week for easier reference. Do pay attention to the details, as most of the events happen only on a particular week every month).
I’ve only included events which focus on original music. Generally, most bars here have an “open mic” night – typically a low-traffic weeknight or Sunday – which gives alcohol-fuelled patrons a chance to sing with the house band. So, I’ve left them out of this list. But again, if you feel that a particular bar/venue takes kindly to originals, let me know.
Marcel Lee Pereira, singer-songwriter 
I just happened upon this page. It’s awesome. I do something similar for Malaysia. It’s available at http://www.openmicmalaysia.org
I was thinking of linking your page in the footer, that way, we can expand the network for travelling musos. 🙂
Hey there, awesome site you’ve got as well! Love how you arranged everything by days of the week 🙂 Sure please go ahead and link thanks!
And I’ve added your page to the footer of the website too. Add us up on FB, maybe we can plan an open mic tour of sorts. 😉
Great stuff, now we should plan road trips 😛 Thanks to both you peeps Cheers!
Do u think these places take covers of non mainstream music as well? I dont have originals and am sure most open mics arent crazy over indi music.
Hi there, I believe most of the open mics mentioned on the list have no issues with indie covers 🙂
Awesome! Looking forward to checking it out
I’m a fledgling songwriter and I began with your list about 9 months ago. Thank you so much!!
Through trial and error I have gathered some info that might be useful:
– Outpost 903 gastrobar closed its old location in Dec 2013, and there’s been no news on their facebook page since then. They say the new location ‘will be updated’.
– Circle of fifths seems to no longer be active. Absolutely no activity on the facebook page since Sept 2013, and no one responded to that email/phone provided here (and on the fb page). I know friends who have performed at POW recently but I think it was more of a gig and less of an open mic.
– No news from Lowercase on the open mic since April.
– Stagefright seems to be once every two months now. Also, maybe it’s worth noting that it’s a super popular open mic so you really need to sign up way in advance. I waited six months! (but it was totally worth it.)
– OOOM is apparently no longer a regular weekly/monthly thing. There’s OOOM at various places, cathay, scape, sometimes even the heartlands etc. Updates always on the OOOM facebook page so best to follow that.
– NEW: Outpost bar & bistro holds a showcase called Original Tunesdays every tuesday. I think the amount of time you can take depends on the number of people who’ve signed up to perform that night. Just like the Hood bar one, there’s a selection process, but from the fact that I got in, it can’t be too difficult 😛 Contact the host Yuji Kumagai at openmic@outpostbar.sg with your stuff.
here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/outpostbar/photos/a.676105715762162.1073741828.651447338228000/741425492563517/?type=1&theater
I hope this is helpful!
Also, the Hood bar showcase is a 45min set and they don’t allow for shorter sets, perhaps you should mention that in your post. The Outpost one allows sets of 15 mins up to 30 mins.
Hi Marcel, I just came across this post only today, and I just wanna say, thank goodness for your list! It makes my life so much easier 😛
I just checked out their FB pages and stuff, apparently Outpost bar & bistro is has closed down or something? See here https://www.facebook.com/outpostbar
Thanks again (:
Hey there, thanks for pointing it out!
http://www.actorsthejambar.com/
Hi Jon, thanks for dropping by. Actors is a great place and the stage is always open to performers. However, my list focuses solely on original music open mics 🙂
And how about http://www.actorsthejambar.com ?
Hi Marcel,
Aria Cafe at SUTD campus is a good one. Beautiful cafe and allows long sets for 40 mins. They have singer-songwriter series on Friday nights. https://www.facebook.com/Aria.Foodmusicarts?fref=ts
Cheers,
Prerna
Hey Prerna, thanks for letting me know. Will that Aria to the list! 🙂
hey check open mic at Laffio on every Wed and Fri.. seems like anyone can join
Hey Jane, thanks for dropping by. Will check them out!