Whether you’re a songwriter looking for a stage or a music fan who loves hearing something raw and new, Indianapolis has a healthy open mic scene — if you know where to look. This guide covers every open mic night in the Indy area that we’ve been able to verify is actually running. No stale listings, no mics that quietly died two years ago.
Verified Open Mic Nights
Slippery Noodle Blues Jam — Wednesdays
The Slippery Noodle Inn, 372 S Meridian St, Downtown
The Hal Yeagy Memorial Blues Jam at Indiana’s oldest bar. Bring your instrument and sit in with the house band, or just come for the music — this jam has been an Indy institution for decades.
Square Cat Vinyl Open Mic — First Monday of the month, 6:00 pm
Square Cat Vinyl, 1054 Virginia Ave, Fountain Square
Original songs only — no covers. Sign-ups start at 5:30 pm and slots go quick (about 25 per night). One of the best rooms in the city to test new material in front of a listening crowd.
OPEN HOUSE at The Melody Inn — select Mondays, 7:30 pm
The Melody Inn, 3826 N Illinois St
Music and comedy share the bill at this roughly-monthly Monday night at Indy’s legendary punk dive. No cover. Check the Melody Inn calendar for upcoming dates.
Lyrics & Libations — Third Thursday of the month, 7–10 pm
The Health Club, Broad Ripple
A free, all-genres open mic with advance sign-up required — check their site or socials to grab a slot before you go.
Comedy Open Mics
More of a stand-up person? Helium Comedy Club downtown runs an open mic on Tuesdays. We track music mics primarily, but we’ll note the comedy ones as we verify them.
Know a Mic We’re Missing?
A handful of other Indy venues host open mics and jam sessions that we’re still confirming — including jazz jams at the Jazz Kitchen and Chatterbox. We only list nights we’ve verified are actually running, because nothing’s worse than showing up with your guitar to a mic that ended last year. If you run or attend an open mic that belongs here, tell us and we’ll add it once confirmed.
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