Death has often been called the great equalizer, but wouldn’t it be nicer if we gave that honorific title to open mic nights instead? One is so predictable and deflating, with its eons of eternal silence and nothingness, while the other is eclectic, empowering, and deliciously random. Open mics are life-affirming in a way few things are; they welcome everyone, regardless of station or experience, to share their voices, art, and passion — to see themselves as worthy channelers of the things that actually give our existence meaning.
If you’re ready to take Andy Dufresne’s advice from The Shawshank Redemption and get busy livin’, whether as participant or engaged spectator, here are eight places to start.
Churchill’s Pub
5501 NE 2nd Ave, Miami
305 -757-1807
churchillspub.com
This legendary Miami venue only reopened in September but wasted no time in carving out space in its kaleidoscopic schedule for up-and-coming artists with the Raven Open Mic presented by Little Bohemia Miami. The cooler purple-pink hues of the space create an ethereal, otherworldly vibe which seems to have a liberating effect on the kinetic, genre-fluid lineups. “Let’s keep that fire going,” Little Bohemia writes in a recent celebratory post. “Bring your art. Bring your people. Bring your spirit. It’s a night where anything can happen — poetry, music, energy, freedom.” They’re not wrong! Mondays.
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The Dead Flamingo
1728 SW Eighth St., Miami
786-817-2926
instagram.com/casatikimiami
Presented by this bustling tiki bar in the heart of Calle Ocho, the monthly Project Sirena — hosted by seemingly omnipresent singer-songwriter Alexa Lash, whose fantastic new EP with the Old-Fashioneds Witches, Wolves and Murder dropped a couple weeks back — is a best of all worlds setup: A few local luminaries curated by Lash, a musician’s happy hour, and a “come one, come all” open mic, with lots of camaraderie, community-building, and mutual support in between.
Luna Star Café
775 NE 125th St., North Miami
305-877-6863
lunastarcafe.com
“Totally wanna play,” a comment on the Instagram post announcing the next Luna Star Café open mic reads. “Nervous as hell.” The response from this North Miami institution that has served its community for nearly three decades? “Please come out. It’s a really supportive room and we love new performers!” Supportive is a good descriptor, for sure, but there’s also something about the room’s penchant for roots, folk, blues, jazz, and Miami-flavored Americana that allows individual performers to feel as if they are becoming part of a much longer, epic story that didn’t begin with them, and won’t end with them, but sure could use them. It’s a uniquely welcoming environment, especially if the subgenres above are your jam.
Miami-Dade Public Library
6376 SW 8th St,. West Miami
305-261-1571
mdpls.libnet.info/branch-fairlawn
We don’t talk enough about how vast, fun, and cool the events programming in our city’s public library system are. From stargazing parties, vegan pizza making lessons, and block printing workshops to build-a-story bilingual storytelling workshops, voice training with experts, knit n’ crochet club meetups, and beyond, the Miami-Dade Public Library has multiple cool, edifying offerings for residents of all ages and interests — including occasional open mic nights for ages 13 and up. “Sing, recite poetry, or do stand-up comedy,” one listing reads. “Let your passion shine and take the stand.” The next one goes down Monday, November 17 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Fairlawn Branch.
Savage Labs
2451 NW 5th Ave, Wynwood
561-464-7120
savagelabswynwood.com
Don’t let the “savage” in the moniker spook you — this atmosphere at this “curated ‘open mic’ with a mix of professional musicians and folks who are newer to performing” is about as nurturing and friendly as they come. At the same time, the chic, pro aesthetics of the venue, paired with the performances of more established musicians, does seem to bolster an inspiring environment in which those newer performers can more fully actualize their art and aspirations. When the sequencing and design of the night locks in —as it almost always does — the effect for performers and audience both can be electric. The sign up form for performers wanting to get on the list is here.
Tea & Poets night is very likely the most inclusive open mic in the city.
Tea & Poets
5701 Sunset Dr, The Shops at Sunset Place, Unit 126, South Miami
786-216-7201
teaandpoets.com
The community this venue fosters with its Wednesday open mic is heartening, uplifting, and very special. Housed in a spacious, top-notch café festooned with art, books, and games throughout, the Tea & Poets night is also very likely the most inclusive open mic in the city, bringing together not only wildly talented singers, musicians, and comedians, but also holding space for more vulnerable, neophyte performers who are clearly in search of a tribe to call their own as much as they are looking for five minutes of stage time. And they find it here, and the love they get in return is beautiful. Something bigger than an open mic is going on at Tea & Poets, but it’s probably better experienced than reduced to a string of imperfect words.
Thank You Miami Cocina & Beerhouse
1701 West Flagler St., Miami
305-342-1208
thankyoumiami.godaddysites.com
This one’s got soul that goes to 11 p.m. With his spoken word poetry, modern R&B singing, and heartfelt bite-sized pep talks on the transformative power of performing arts, host Trikstah sets an amazing tone for the well-attended Wednesday night open mics at this irreverent and friendly spot — and the steady stream of diverse performers meet his energy, wrapping heartfelt, often soul-baring truth in folk songs, hip-hop flows, torch croons, rat-a-tat poems, vocal register-defying soul, and more. It’s loose, fun, and welcoming…and yet also deep and profound. That’s a rare balance to strike but Thank You Miami makes it look natural as hell.
Vice City Kava
2395 Coral Way, Miami
786-536-2600
vicecitykava.com
Midway through a recent Vice City Kava open mic night Sofi Sicuso — probably one of the warmest, most engaged, encouraging, and positive hosts in the history of this game — casually works her way into an evocative, pitch-perfect reimagining of an Erykah Badu jam. And then bartender Alex Corral comes out and takes to the piano for a cover and an original, both of which are dizzyingly great. That’s when you realize the musical brilliance on display every Monday night at Vice City Kava — and, as we previously noted, at its Wednesdays jazz night as well — comes not from anywhere external, but from the roots up. This place is art in a very real sense, as much as it is bricks and mortar, a business, etcetera. That’s the difference you feel at this open mic and probably a reason it not only draws so many new and aspiring performers but local luminaries such as Devin Mollegard, Johnny Deezal (AKA Eons), and others. If you build it, they will sing.