"There's Always Something To Do" Cincy/Ohio Open Mic & Event List
- SoL
- Feb 15, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 8
I remember back in High School while I was riding the Metro Bus up the hill of Montana Ave to West High. I was having a ‘delusion of pessimism’ moment, as all angsty teenagers may have, thinking with a limited perception of all it was. And said to myself "There ain't nothing to do in this city." Besides the fact I had no car and was a lazy brat when it came to researching my city, that statement couldn't have been further from the truth. I have been exploring events, particularly open mics in Cincinnati since 2018. I found through my active research, talks with others, and sometimes dumb luck by getting out more, there is SO MUCH TO DO in this city. And then I thought, I said to myself "If I had that thought back then, someone else has also had it as well.
In the first year of going to as many poetry, and music, open mics in the city, it became clear not many people knew what was happening in the city to express themselves. So, I compiled a comprehensive list of open mics, and poetry events happening in the city. As the pandemic came and went, many open mics disappeared or have changed almost entirely.
So, I decided to reintroduce myself and others to where we can go to express themselves artistically. I've been excited to know more events have been coming up in the past year, and there are still some that are not currently on the list that I'm still researching, or have not even heard about...yet. This is an ever-growing list that features open mics, poetry events, music showcases, and more as I begin to explore the city (and in nearby cities) that always has something to do!
If you are familiar with open mic events, artists showcases, musical events that I should check out, or have any other questions on the list, then please leave a comment or send me an email. Enjoy the list, and go out and do something, because there's plenty to do, you just have to go look! :)
Original SoLar Open Mic List! on February 16, 2019 via Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/composedinsolprofile/posts/424081931664274
SPOKEN WORD/POETRY
VERSES & VIIBES "A Collective of Artistry"
Hosted by Maia & Queens Jurnee / Curated by SoL
Artist Night for Poets, Writers, Singers, Rappers, Comedians, Dancers, Visual Artists, & More
Mature Audiences | Open Ended
Monthly on the 2nd Wednesday | Wednesday, April 9, 2025
From 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Muse Café (3018 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45211)
Event & Venue Details
Venue Parking Available
Bluetooth Boombox Speaker w/ Wired Microphone & AUX Cord for Artists Using Audio Tracks.
SoL
Maia
Queens Jurnee
Muse Café
MoPoetry Phillips Presents: Hit the Mic Cincy's Open Mic
Hosted by Nanci Mays
Spoken Word/Poetry & Open to Other Artistic Expressions
All Ages | Open Ended (Minors Must Be Accompanied by An Adult)
Every Month on a Friday | Friday, April 25, 2025
From 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Oasis at Grace (5524 Belmont Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio 45224)
Private Venue w/ cash bar for food, alcoholic drinks and refreshments. Parking available on the side of the building and across the street in College Hill Recreation Center parking lot.
Bluetooth Boombox Speaker w/ Wired Microphone. Artists Using Audio Tracks, Send Files to ??? @ ???.
Admission $5 Presale / $10 At The Door
https://www.eventbrite.com/o/regal-rhythms-poetry-llc-33474191507 | CashApp: $MoneecaPhillips | PayPal: 1mopoetry@gmail.com | Venmo: @moneeca-phillips
MoPoetry Phillips
513-344-0870
Nanci Mays
Hit The Mic Cincy
The Oasis at Grace
Wordplay Thursdays at Somerset
Hosted by Lucky Lee, Curated by Def Poets Society
Spoken Word & Acapella Open Mic w/ Feature
Ages 21+
Open Ended
Every 3rd Thursday of the Month | Thursday, April 17, 2025
From 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Networking, 9:00 PM - 10:00 PM Open Mic, 10:00 PM - 11:00 PM Featured Poet)
Somerset Bar (139 E McMicken Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45202)
-Bar w/ drink specials, outside yard with tents, free parking on street & nearby payment parking lot(s).-
Venue Vibes: Somerset’s lush, eclectic ambiance and handcrafted cocktails set the perfect mood for creativity and connection.
Wired Microphone w/ Venue's Speaker System
Donations Optional to Def Poets Society &/or Featured Poet
Lucky Lee
Nick Fury
Def Poets Society
Somerset Bar
Poetic Vogue - LOOKING FOR NEW VENUE -
Hosted by Fresh the Poet & Lucky Lee
Spoken Word Open Mic
Age Requirement | Expression Levels (Family Friendly, Mature Content, Open Ended)
Every 3rd Thursday of the Month | Date of Event
From 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM: Artist Networking (7 - 9), Open Mic (9 - 10), Featured Poet & Open Mic Continuation (10 - 11)
Venue/Location (Address)
Venue Details/Parking
Sound/Audio File Setup
Fresh the Poet
Lucky Lee
Nick Fury
Def Poets Society
Alice
Culture Club at The Jazz Spoon
Hosted by Jugh Jefner
Spoken Word & Artist Open Mic
Mature Audiences
Every 1st & 3rd Tuesdays | Tuesday, April 15, 2025 & May 6, 2025
From 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
The Jazz House (610 Northland Blvd, Cincinnati, OH, 45240)
Venue Details
Venue Parking Available
Wired Microphone w/ Venue's Speaker System & Bluetooth Connection for Artists Using Audio Tracks.
Jugh Jefner
The Jazz Spoon
Perfect Verse Spoken Word + Poetry Night
Hosted by Ty Victoria
Spoken Word Performance w/ Live Band
Ages 16+
Open Ended/Mature Content
Every Last Wednesday of the Month | Wednesday, April 30, 2025
From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge (1432 Vine St, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202)
Jazz Lounge w/ Bar, front/back patio for smoking or fresh air, two lounge areas (one near the bar, one near the stage). Parking lot next door is available. If not, other parking lots in the city and/or meter street parking in varying accessibility.
Microphone Connected to The Venue's Surround Sound System Accompanied w/ Live In-House Band & Musicians
RSVP is Recommended: https://nostalgiaotr.com/reservations/
Ty Victoria
Nostalgia
Word of Mouth Cincinnati
Hosted by Jim Palmarini
Poetry Reading Open Mic w/ Feature(s)
All Ages | Open Ended (Minors Must Be Accompanied by An Adult)
Every Last Sunday of the Month | Sunday, April 27, 2025
From 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
MOTR Pub (1345 Main St, Cincinnati, OH 45202)
Restaurant/Bar w/ front concert stage, downstairs area, & back patio. Street parking, metered and free, and Ziegler Park parking lot is available.
Wired Microphone w/ Venue Speaker System
Jim Palmarini
MOTR Pub
Poetry Night at Sitwell's hosted by Ellen Austin-Li
Poetry Reading Open Mic w/ Feature(s)
All Ages | Open-Ended/Family-Friendly
First Tuesday of the Every Month | Tuesday, May 6, 2025
From 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Sitwell's Act II Coffeehouse (324 Ludlow Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220)
Coffeeshop w/ small brunch food options, back sitting and front sitting near performance area. Free/Metered parking on street(s) and nearby parking lots.
Wired Microphone w/ Mixer to Single Boom Speaker.
Ellen Austin-Li
Sitwells
Peripatetic Poets Open Mic
Hosted by Matt Farley
Poetry Reading Open Mic w/ Feature(s)
Age Requirement | Expression Levels (Family Friendly, Mature Content, Open Ended)
Monthly on the 1st Saturday | Saturday, May 3, 2025
From 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Muse Café (3018 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45211)
Venue Details/Parking
Sound/Audio File Setup
https://www.instagram.com/peripatetic_poets_cincinnati/ | https://www.facebook.com/groups/6438824826193056/
Matt Farley
Muse Café
Poetry Night at The Warehouse Church - TO BE ANNOUNCED -
Host/Hostess
Poetry Open Mic
All Ages | Family Friendly
Date or Frequency/Day Of The Week | Date of Event
Time-Frame
The Warehouse Church (691 Fleming Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45231)
Event, Venue, & Parking Parking
Sound/Audio File Setup
Entry Fee
Ticket Link (If Entry Free or RSVP)
For More Info Contact:
Dayton Poetry Slam
Hosted by Johnathon Gallienne / Curated by Link
Poetry Open Mic, Slam & Feature
All Ages | Open Ended (Minors Must Be Accompanied by An Adult)
Monthly Every 1st & 3rd Sunday w/ a Monthly Slam |
Sunday, April 20, 2025 & Sunday, May 4, 2025
From 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Yellow Cab Tavern (700 E 4th St, Dayton, OH 45402)
Event & Venue Details
Venue Parking Available
Wired Microphone w/ Venue Speaker System
Admission $3
Johnathon Gallienne
Link
Yellow Cab Tavern
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For More Info Contact:
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For More Info Contact:
Ain't Right Tribe Midday Open Mic
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Host/Hostess
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Age Requirement | Expression Levels (Family Friendly, Mature Content, Open Ended)
Date or Frequency/Day Of The Week | Date of Event
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Event, Venue, & Parking DetailsSound/Audio File Setup
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For More Info Contact:
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For More Info Contact:
SPOKEN WORD EVENTS
4th Annual Survivor’s Ball, Awards, & Workshops "SOS: Save Our Selves" hosted by MasterPiece & Hoodraised / Featuring Ed Mabrey, T-Spirit & Obbie West / Curated by MoPoetry Phillips
WRITING WOKSHOPS
Writing for Healing Workshop by RC After Dark (RAD)
Hosted by Katarina Knehans & Amanda Stoddard
***** TO BE ANNOUNCED *****
Event Type
Age Requirement | Expression Levels (Family Friendly, Mature Content, Open Ended)
Date or Frequency/Day Of The Week | Time-Frame
Recovery Center of Hamilton County (2340 Auburn Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45219)
Event, Venue, & Parking Details
Sound/Audio File Setup
Entry Fee
Ticket Link (If Entry Free or RSVP)
For More Info Contact:
MUSIC
Coming Soon...
COMEDY
Tuesday Roast Comedy Night at The Jazz Spoon
Hosted by Big Kev
Comedy Open Mic (Poets & Artists Welcome)
Mature Audiences
Every 2nd & 4th Tuesdays | Tuesday, April 22, 2025
From 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
The Jazz House (610 Northland Blvd, Cincinnati, OH, 45240)
Venue Details
Venue Parking Available
Wired Microphone w/ Venue's Speaker System & Bluetooth Connection for Artists Using Audio Tracks.
Big Kev
The Jazz Spoon
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