Free live music in Camden: pubs and open mics

Short version: the Dublin Castle on Parkway runs a free open mic on Mondays from 19:00, the Good Mixer bills itself as free entry seven days a week, and the Black Heart and the Camden Assembly both have free nights if you pick them. Always check the venue's own listing for the night you are going.

The Dublin Castle, Parkway

The Dublin Castle sits at 94 Parkway, NW1 7AN, two minutes from Camden Town tube. CAMRA lists live music there, with DJs after the bands every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and Wikipedia says bands play regularly from Wednesday to Sunday. Bandsintown describes four bands a night.

The free bit is Monday. Groover lists the open mic every Monday from 19:00 to 23:00, with sign-up on the night from 19:00 in order of arrival and no advance booking. It is free and busy, so get there early if you want a slot. Past acts named on its listings include Madness, Amy Winehouse, Blur and Arctic Monkeys, which is a decent argument for watching the unknowns on a Monday.

Gig nights are a separate matter, so look at the listing before you assume the door is open to all.

The Good Mixer

Resident Advisor's venue page describes the Good Mixer as free entry for all, seven days a week, with live music and pool, and a grassroots platform for bands. It names Jarvis Cocker, Suggs, Elastica and Amy Winehouse among past guests. It is a pub on Inverness Street, which is handy because Inverness Street is where you will want a pint before or after anyway. Read the night's listing before you set off.

The Black Heart, Greenland Place

The Black Heart is at 3 Greenland Place, NW1 0AP, one minute from Camden Town tube. The Nudge says live music is pretty much daily, with closing at midnight Sunday to Wednesday, 01:00 on Thursday and 02:00 on Friday and Saturday.

Most gigs are ticketed: one listing on its events page shows £15 general admission or a £25 double ticket. But the events page also carries free entry shows, and The List has a free, first come, first served night too. So the sensible move is to check the listings for free entry nights rather than turn up and hope. It is a heavy, loud, guitar room, and says as much on its own site.

The Camden Assembly, Chalk Farm Road

The Camden Assembly is at 49 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AN, the building many still call the Barfly. The List says entry to the downstairs bar is free from 15:00 on weekdays and until 22:00 at weekends, and Eventslist says many events there are free entry. Capacity is around 220 upstairs and 200 downstairs. Treat the free hours as a guide and look at the night's listing, since upstairs shows can differ.

Other pubs with live music

• The Hawley Arms, 2 Castlehaven Road, NW1 8QU. Londonist notes its gigs and its Amy Winehouse link, plus rock n roll memorabilia, sofas and a winter fire. DesignMyNight lists a rooftop terrace. Check the door policy on the night.
• The Elephant's Head, 224 Camden High Street, NW1 8QR. A Victorian pub with tiled interiors, running indie, rock, punk and ska showcases to a room of about 60, according to Gotobeat. Some listings link to tickets, so check first.
• The Dark Horse, Camden Market, North Yard. Camden Market says it has weekly live gigs in collaboration with Tape Nightclub. The menu from the Le Bab and Kebab Queen team lists fish and chips, pies, bangers and mash and a Sunday roast. Entry price depends on the night.

A plan for a free night

• Monday: Dublin Castle open mic on Parkway. Sign up from 19:00 or just watch.
• Any night: try the Good Mixer on Inverness Street, then walk to Greenland Place to see whether the Black Heart has a free show on.
• Weekend afternoon: downstairs at the Camden Assembly on Chalk Farm Road, before 22:00.

Free does not mean silent, so go early for a spot near the front, buy a drink to support the room, and tip the bands if there is a bucket.

More: Groover's open mic guide, Resident Advisor on the Good Mixer, the Black Heart events page and The List on the Camden Assembly.