11 Open Mic Spots In Kolkata To Showcase Your Art

The 32-seat venue's main goal is to uphold and expand upon the original spirit of Kolkata's comedy culture. The comedy club is situated next to The Chaiwala on NSC Bose Road in Tollygunge. Inspired by the Friday 6 PM open mics at The Chaiwala, Comedy Warm-Up is the first show, which takes place on Fridays. The Comedy Paanch Phoron is next, and it takes place on Saturdays at 4 PM. Five comics are always in the lineup. Three comics will each have a 20-minute opportunity to perform at the Comedy T-20 on Saturdays. The carefully chosen lineups feature the city's top comedians, such as Abhinav Tewary, Ritabrata Dass, and Rivu Ganguly.

Timings: 4 PM - 12 AM

Google Rating: 4.6/5

Instagram: @calcuttacomedycompany

LBB Tip: Keep an eye out for their Instagram, where they post the shows of the week. Tickets are usually available on BookMyShow. You can also DM them for the same.

Chaitown Community is a smaller, more private community. It doesn't have the most expensive sound system or dazzling lighting, but what makes it unique is the ambiance they create, which will make you feel as though you're at a live music performance on your friend's patio. Additionally, they occasionally highlight some of the city's rare gems in the music scene, which include pop, jazz, blues, rock, and folk performers. From hosting live music events to fitness courses, workshops, to even poetry slams and more, attend a performance to become a part of the Chaitown community.

Timings: 10 AM - 5 PM. Closed on Sundays.

Google Rating: 4.6/5

Instagram: @chaitowncommunity

This place, which is designed to resemble a contemporary European café with warm atmospheres and energy-efficient LED lights, is all about delicious cuisine and amazing entertainment. Their weekly open mic evenings are a blast, with everything from comic gold on stage to crisp salads and delicious pastas. While sipping and munching, expect to be entertained by new talent and well-known faces like Sourav Ghosh, Saurav Goyal, and Yashoroop Dey.

Timings: 8 AM - 11 PM

Google Rating: 4.2/5

Instagram: @countryhousecafe

Open mic sessions are held every other month at the 8th Day Café, which is renowned for being one of Kolkata's first all-American cafés. The stage is available to all types of talent, whether it be singing, poetry, or humour. One merely signs up and arrives 30 minutes before the start of the performance to participate. When there are no open mic nights in a given month, the café features live musical evening events.

Timings: 8 AM - 11 PM

Google Rating: 4.3/5

Instagram: @8thdaycafe

AJC Bose Road, close to Minto Park, is home to Artsy — Coffee and Culture. The 15-month-old café is set out as a modern hangout space that hosts events and art in addition to serving solid coffee. The 42-seater café has already showcased 12 up-and-coming artists and will continue to do so each month. With its assortment of books, periodicals, magazines, and artwork, the café's opposite side gives the impression of a library. For art lovers and those hoping to achieve success in poetry, stand-up, or songwriting/singing, this is a safe and liberating place. This space understands that there is nothing that compares to the magic that occurs when artists are in their element.

Timings: 8 AM - 10:30 AM

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Instagram: @artsyinkolkata

LBB Tip: You can also buy coffee equipment, coffee mugs, coasters, posters, and more at Artsy.

Trincas remains a long-standing moniker that only recently started to honour its jazz past once more. From Usha Uthup to today's experimentalists, such as the Bodhisattwa Trio, Shonai, Srinjoy Ghatak, and others, Kolkata has served as a proving ground for many. Trincas' Weekend Jazz Lunches, with their unique cushioned velvet backdrop on stage, are reintroducing jazz culture, according to the venue's third-generation owner, Anand Puri. Even now, Trincas is always booked out when jazz music reverberates within the walls of this iconic bar.

Timings: 11:30 AM - 11:45 PM

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Instagram: @trincasrestaurant

LBB Tip: If you're lucky, you might even see Usha Uthup perform live! 

No glitz, just vibes. The roster is amazing, with metal titans like Gutslit and What Escapes Me alongside local icons like Plastic Parvati, Pulpy Shilpy, and Tajdar Junaid. Not to be overlooked is the Bodhisattwa Trio, Kolkata's original jazz ensemble that keeps things lively and polished. And if music isn't something that you want to vibe to, spend it by attending a performance by TopCat Retired Comedy Club with some of Kolkata's best local comedians and renowned national talents. The club is run by comedians themselves and regularly hosts open mics. Notable performers, including Samay Raina, Prashasti Singh, and Anirban Dasgupta, have graced this stage.

Timings: 12 PM - 10:30 PM

Google Rating: 4.3/5

Instagram: @topcatcculive

The Talent Cellar operates the incredibly entertaining art studio The Talent Hub in Kolkata. It is the largest open-mic venue for comedians from Bengal. You can go there and make everyone laugh if you enjoy telling jokes! They have cameras and microphones that capture your face and conversation. After that, they create glossy, edited videos. Everyone is friendly, and if you're shy or unsteady, nobody makes fun of you. Check out their social media pages to find out when the next hilarious gathering takes place, as they occasionally even perform at cafes like Starbucks!

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM

Google Rating: 4.7/5

Instagram: @thetalentcellar

The city amps up the volume at Hard Rock Cafe Kolkata, which occasionally has a ton of performances, loud music, and strong flavours. Located on the street that never sleeps, this multi-level nightclub has 161 patrons, a bustling bar, and a stage that has played host to both international and local favourites. The vitality? Entirely electric. Every performance feels like a stadium show thanks to an AV system and walls covered in famous memorabilia. Also, all of the specific merchandise needed to finish your jazz night outfit is available at the Rock Shop.

Timings: 12 PM - 11:30 PM

Google Rating: 4.4/5

Instagram: @hardrockcafekolkata

With its emerald green, white, and wood décor, this lovely glasshouse venue, tucked away in a South Kolkata street, is a 150-seat refuge for hip-hop nerds, house aficionados, and Asian foodies. The atmosphere, the DJ console's fire, and the bar's appearance are all spotless. Beats and culture collide there, from live performances to R&B and DJ seminars, and I promise it's worth the trip.

Timing: 12 PM - 12 AM

Google Rating: 4.1/5

Instagram: @iammissginko

AM PM Coffee and Cocktail Bar Kolkata is a destination for all of the city's jazz lovers. Every year, they commemorate International Jazz Day! With a two-day jazz concert and cocktails inspired by the genre, the restaurant, which has gained immense popularity for its creative curations, has to be on your list! Don't forget to enjoy the amazing bar snacks and cocktails in addition to the music.

Timings: 11 AM - 12 AM

Google Rating: 4.2/5

Instagram: @ampm.kolkata

Looking for a scoop of comfort to stay cool during the sweltering summer heat? Check this list of the top ice cream parlours across Kolkata!