open mic

American  

[oh-puhn mahyk] / ˈoʊ pən ˈmaɪk /

Or open mike

noun

1. a live show in a club, bar, etc., in which anyone may perform but each performer is given a time limit (often used attributively).

   an open mic night for stand-up comedians.

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Etymology

Origin of open mic

First recorded in 1975–80; open ( def. ) (in sense “in operation, live”) + mic ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

open mic

Segura told “TigerBelly” podcast in 2018 that he met Pazsitzky while they were both doing open mic nights around Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 14, 2026

“I think everybody should do an open mic once in their life because most people’s biggest fear is public speaking,” said Rodriguez.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026

By 2023, he "plucked up the courage" to go along to an open mic night event in Cardiff and read some of his poems.

From BBC ● Jun. 13, 2026

That flow ultimately earned him the name Slick Rick, bestowed by legendary hip-hop producer Doug E Fresh, who spotted him at an open mic night and invited him to join his Get Fresh Crew.

From BBC ● Mar. 25, 2026

“Yeah, really. You should really try to get to know her. She runs an open mic at Busboys and Poets.”

From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi