Looking to share your talent with an audience? The greater Rochester area has many locations offering open mic times each month. Whether you’re looking to play and sing, or crack up the audience with laughter, there’s an open mic happening for you!
The Annadine
16 West Main Street, Dodge Center MN // (507) 273-9530
1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month 7:00-10:00 PM
In a self-described “bohemian beverage bar with live music,” the Annadine open mic happens on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 7-10 p.m. Musicians who would like to perform sign up to play three or four songs on a whiteboard. The stage is backed by a velvet curtain and the room is full of antique furniture. The wine bar is overflowing with music equipment and memorabilia, including a variety of pianos, other keyboard instruments, antique sheet music, and old concert posters. Lamps and low lighting make for an intimate vibe, and stepping into the Annadine is like stepping back in time. A drum set, grand piano, and house sound system are available at the open mic. Soft drinks and wine or beer are available for purchase. At the end of the night, musicians will often jam together.
Café Steam Open Mic
315 South Broadway Rochester, MN // (507) 208-4160
1st Thursdays of the Month starting at 6:00 p.m.
The Café Steam Open mic is always well-attended and participants get 10-15-minute sets. Photo by John Sievers.If coffee is the inspiration you need to take in or create a solid performance, then the Café Steam open mic is perfect for you. Sign up starts at 5:30 p.m. a half-hour before the open mic begins at 6 p.m. The list usually fills up fast, so you want to make sure to arrive early. The performance slots, each from around 10-15 minutes long, are open to performers who might present poetry, comedy, or music. William Forsman, a co-owner of Café Steam, hosts the open mic. This open mic is perfect for someone seeking an alcohol-free performance opportunity.
Crossings Art Center
320 East Ave Zumbrota, MN
Last Sundays of the Month from 2:00-5:00 p.m.
The Crossings Art Center Open Mic takes place in a light-filled room of a building that was formerly a Carnegie Library.
Photo Credit: Contributed by Virginia Cooper
Taking place on the last Sundays of each month from 2-5 p.m., the Crossings Art Center open mic is hosted by owner Virginia Cooper. This is a brand new open mic launching in April of 2024. The event is welcoming to all and is supported by passing a hat for donations. This open mic is perfect for performers of all ability levels and might be especially welcoming to younger performers with its afternoon time and family-friendly environment.
Douglas Saloon & Social Club Open Mic
6460 75th St NW, Oronoco, MN // (507) 289-9521
2nd Wednesdays of the Month from 7:00-10:00 p.m.
The Douglas Saloon & Social Club open mic is hosted by Layne Noser and Ryan Sexton of the Midnight Hounds. He describes the open mic as “a get-together where musicians get a chance to play their songs individually, but also make connections with other musicians and possibly collaborate as the night goes on. Any person, style, or skill level is welcome to play.” The open mic goes from 7-10 p.m. and most performers play sets of around 3-4 songs. While you are there, don’t pass up the chance to try some of the Douglas Saloon & Social Club’s famous pickled eggs, play some pull tabs, or shoot a game of pool.
Forager Brewery Open Mic
1005 6th St NW, Rochester, MN // (507) 258-7490
First Mondays of the Month from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Local singer/songwriter Chris Tauzell collaborates with Ted Eckhardt at the Forager Brewing Open Mic. Photo by John Sievers
The Forager Brewery open mic happens from 7-9 p.m. each first Monday of the month and is hosted by Ted Eckhardt. He describes the monthly event as having an inclusive and cooperative environment. It isn’t unusual for different local musicians to collaborate on songs together. Each open mic night has a sign-up sheet, and musicians are often able to play a mini set of around three songs at the event. The Forager open mic has a friendly, welcoming environment. Those who attend have the extra advantage of being able to order an excellent meal, dessert, or one of Forager’s award-winning beers like their Nilerzzzzz, a barrel-aged stout.
Forager Brewery Jazz Jam
1005 6th St NW, Rochester, MN // (507) 258-7490
4th Sundays of the Month from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
The Jazz Jam is hosted each fourth Sunday of the month from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Forager Brewery. A local jazz quartet, The D’Sievers, is the anchoring group for the jam, and its leader, trombonist John Sievers, is the event’s host. This open mic caters to all the jazz lovers out there. Jazz Jam allows horn players, vocalists, and rhythm section players the chance to sit in with The D’Sievers to perform jazz standards. Those interested in the open mic style jazz jam can sign up in person to play two standards with the band. The band plays standards from the Hal Leonard real books or will follow sheet music brought in by participants. At the end of the night, the jam invites everyone up to perform a tune or two together. This event is all about improvisation.
Goonie’s Comedy Club Open Mic
1625 Broadway Ave S, Rochester, MN
Every Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
If laughter is your thing, try a little comedy open mic. Goonie’s Comedy Club, inside the AmericInn by Wyndham, presents an open mic for aspiring comedians every Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Hosted by local comic Andy Fisher, this open mic night features new comedians and even established touring comics. “We have a different featured comedian, a regional up-and-comer, each week do a longer set who we give some extra promotion to on our social media,” says Fisher. Refreshments are offered for sale from the Crooked Pint. People wanting to sign up for a slot at the open mic should email gooniescomedyclub@gmail.com in advance. Performers given an open mic slot must arrive by 7:15 p.m. and set lengths and a performer list is posted at the show. A clock starts when the comic sets foot on stage and a light is used to indicate when the set is over.
Jazz Shepherd Coffee Open Mic
115 Main St E, Elgin, MN // (507) 251-0468
1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the Month from 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Owner Dan VanEijl hosts the twice-monthly open mics at Jazz Shepherd Coffee on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month from 6-9 p.m. There is a sign-up sheet for performers when the event begins. The jazz-centric vinyl record collection at this boutique coffee shop and music lounge boasts over 14,000 discs, but the open mic is open to music of all styles. VanEijl is a true jazz enthusiast and can expound on the virtues of every record in his extensive collection, which he says includes “a main course of jazz and side dishes of other genres.” The shop offers sandwiches, soups, coffee, and other beverages. The cozy, familiar experience feels like sitting in your friend’s living room listening to them play songs.
LTS Brewing Company Open Mic
2001 32nd Ave NW, Rochester, MN // (507) 226-8280
Last Wednesday of the Month from 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Erik Jones hosts the open mic at LTS Brewing Company the last Wednesday of each month from 7-9 p.m. He describes the open mic nights as “very laid back.” There is a sign-up sheet at the bar and performers sign up for 10-15 minute slots depending on how many musicians attend. “I try to make it as unintimidating as possible,” says Jones. The open mic event is usually musicians performing covers and originals, but sometimes poets recite material and occasionally a comic might perform. One of the perks of participating in the LTS open mic is that participants get a token for a free drink as a thank-you for sharing their talents.
Whistle Binkies Olde World Pub (North) Comedy Open Mic
3120 Wellner Dr NE #4905, Rochester, MN // (507) 289-9200
Every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
Hump day is the perfect excuse to laugh, and the Whistle Binkies Olde World Pub offers you the open mic opportunity to put some chuckles in your life. Hosted by Lori Haedtke-Finlay, the open mic allows comics to sign up for slots at 6:30 p.m. with the show starting at 7 p.m. On each first Wednesday of the month, Haedtke-Finaly curates a showcase of 8-10 comedians. Other Wednesdays of the month are purely open mics. If you need some liquid courage to deliver your bits, the open mic offers participating comics a “couple” free drinks. People wanting to watch the open mic can order Whistle Binkies Olde World Pub food and beverages during the show. “The open mic nights have been great so far, the comedians are all so diverse. Some are brand new, others have lots of experience. We encourage newbies to try it out and it’s been a lot of fun,” says Haedtke-Finlay. The open mic has a welcoming atmosphere, and as Haedtke-Finlay remarks, “Who doesn’t love laughter?”
For more local events like these, keep an eye on the Rochester Local Event Calendar.
