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

Aitch was discovered as a youngster by local entrepreneur Michael Adex, founder of the talent management company NQ, while spitting bars at a local open mic night.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

In addition to “Comedy & ‘Therapy,’ ” the coffee shop also hosts open mic nights, art walks and networking panels, among other events.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

Her book, “The Real HipHop,” was born out of the seven years she spent attending a famous open mic in Los Angeles called Project Blowed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

Its longstanding arts scene and anarchic energy feed into avant-garde pop-up art exhibitions, Yiddish open mic nights and dance parties.

From Barron's • Oct. 26, 2025

Josiah agreed to set up a live stream of the open mic for people who can’t come.

From "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson