Open mic nights in Riyadh are one of the best ways to spot and support local talent. And Riyadh has plenty of people who aren’t afraid to show off their skills, from beatboxing to breakdancing. So, are you ready to discover the best open mic nights in Riyadh?
As music venues have been encouraged to flourish under Saudi Vision 2030, more spaces are passing the mic and giving the city a voice. Riyadh’s open mic nights are so wide-ranging: there’s music, comedy, poetry and – even though it doesn’t exactly need a microphone – dancing. It’s all a solid dose of culture, isn’t it?
While not all of us are budding crooners or comedians, you are welcome to come and cheer on the performers. Here are the venues where we always want an encore, hosting some of the best open mic nights in Riyadh.
Draft Café
Draft Café has tapped into Riyadh’s coffee culture and created a real sense of community. The sleek café serves drinks that range from a caramel macchiato to a coconut frappe, complete with a side of entertainment. The café loves to be innovative – check out the Lotus magnum cheesecake and experimental events.
Past performers have sung in English and Arabic, playing instruments from drums to guitars. Participants verge on the more musical side, while the audience are a supportive bunch and are often seen clapping along. Check out its Instagram page for the latest details on one of the best open mic nights in Riyadh.
Open Sun-Wed 7am-1am, Thu-Sat 7am-2am. Al Ayinah, As Sulimaniyah, draftthoughts.com (011 426 4660).
MW Café
It seems only natural that the founder of MW Café, Mutah Beale, would want to create an open mic night. Beale was previously a rapper in The Outlawz, a group founded by the late Tupac Shakur. In 2001, Beale converted to Islam and moved to Saudi Arabia, switching thug life for what MW’s social media account calls #muglife.
Don’t expect a song and dance at Riyadh’s MW Café, however, as its open mic nights are more sentimental and serious, often covering poetry and spoken word. Check out its Instagram page for the latest open mic nights.
Open Sat-Thu 7am-midnight, Fri 3pm-midnight. 4011 Abi Bakr As Siddiq Road, mwcafe.com (055 871 8540).
Rabbit Hole
The Alice in Wonderland-inspired venue, Rabbit Hole, labels itself as an experiential lounge, going from a café during the day to an entertainment venue at night. The open mic night has welcomed storytellers, actors and guitarists on stage.
The spot is great for new performers, as the price is on the cheaper side and attracts a chilled crowd. While the theatre itself, which has brightly coloured bags and staggered steps, gives off student vibes and feels pretty informal. Check its Instagram account for open mic night details of some of the best open mic nights in Riyadh.
From SAR50. Open Sun-Wed 8.30am-midnight, Thu 10am-3.30am, Fri 1pm-3.30am, Sat 10am-1.30am. Abu Baker Street, Alyasmin, instagram.com/rabbitholesa (055 916 0674).
Syrup Lounge
Syrup Lounge has pioneered live music in Riyadh, as it was one of the first entertainment venues in the capital. The motto is “for the people by the people”. Take your pick from one of the themed open mic nights, which in the past have covered Metallica, 1980s and K Pop for ladies only.
Guests are encouraged to get into the spirit and dress up accordingly. The venue loves to mix things up and performances have included acoustic versions of Hit Me Baby One More Time, break dancers and popular Arabic covers. One of the most frequent and best open mic nights in Riyadh.
SAR120 (online) SAR150 (on the door). Open Thu 9pm-midnight. 9038 Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Abdul Aziz Road, syrup.sa (011 228 8006).
