As Canada's capital, Ottawa pairs a youthful, educated population with a steady cultural calendar and a welcoming live performance scene. Its open mics give comedians, musicians, poets, and storytellers an accessible place to develop their craft, hosted in downtown bars, cafes, and arts venues across the bilingual city. The crowds are friendly and supportive, which makes it a comfortable place to find your voice or test new material. A strong community of performers keeps the nights encouraging and the audiences attentive. This regularly updated list collects the latest details on sign-ups, costs, times, and venues to help you find the best open mics in Ottawa.

All Venues in Ottawa

Stonehooker Brewing Company

The Lookout Bar