5 Open Mic Nights in Malaysia You Can Join Today
If you’re an aspiring musician, taking the fact that you’re reading this as a sign. Go sign up for an open mic today. Based on the list at openmicmalaysia.org, we’re recommending you five muso friendly cafés that will open up their stage for you to sing your heart out.
Merdekarya, 352, 1st Floor, Jalan 5/57, Petaling Garden
Opening hours: 7pm – whenever, Tuesdays to Saturday
Pronounced Mer-day-kar-ya, the ramshackled event space with an attitude hosts open mics nightly from Tuesday to Saturday. You can book a slot by referring to their handy timetable on their website and there are a maximum of three slots available during each open mic session. You may only book up to three sessions a month and it’s a BYOC deal (bring your own cables) with three mics and three D.I. boxes available for use. You have room for a full band including a drum kit now – but only if you’re the featured act.
Barlai, 3 Jalan Sin Chew Kee
Opening hours: 5pm – 3am, Monday to Friday, 3pm – 3am, Saturday and Sunday
Owned by the BIG Group, the space does not have a stage. They provide a mic and power for your own amp, you’ll have to text Shaneil for the dirty deets though. Open mics are every second and fourth Thursday of the month only.
Gaslight, Unit 15-2, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Plaza Damansara
Opening Hours: 5pm – 1am, Monday to Saturday
Home to artisans, the 60s themed space is located above Neroteca and Blue Elephant. The hidden coffee place holds open mic nights from Monday to Saturday from 8pm onwards. Signups are at the venue only and you go on before or after the main act of the night. There are usually four slots available so drop them a line and check out their events page to see the main act. You also get to hear what you sound like through amazing-sounding vintage speakers. Best for intimate acoustic sessions.
The Bee Jaya One, 72A Jalan University
Opening hours: 9am – 11pm, Monday to Thursday, 9am – 11.30pm Friday, 10am – 11.30pm, Saturday, 10am – 9.30pm Sunday
You’ve probably eaten here before and seen countless indie acts here, now it’s your time to shine. Registration is 7pm onwards every second Tuesday of the month. You have a stage and it’s acoustic only. You get one D.I. and three vocal mics. It is limited to 15 sign ups only per night and the best act of the night will win some goodies. They’re known to invite the best acts for a finale show at which the top three (usually) goes home with awesome prizes.
The Bee Publika, 36 Block C, Level G2
Opening hours: 11am – 12am, Monday to Thursday, 11am – 1.30am Friday, 10am –1.30am, Saturday, 10am – 12am Sunday
It’s pretty much the same deal as The Bee Jaya One except you get a bigger stage. Registration is 7pm onwards every fourth Tuesday of the month. Given the bigger stage, the maximum set for your band is drums, bass, two e-guitars, amps, three D.I. channels, and three vocal mics. Since the rest is the same deal as above, we’re just going to copy and paste if that’s okay with you. It is limited to 15 sign ups only per night and the best act of the night will win some goodies. They’re known to invite the best acts for a finale show at which the top three (usually) goes home with awesome prizes.
There you have it, five places right here in KL. Our thanks to Shaneil for providing the amazing list at www.openmicmalaysia.org and here’s hoping we see you at an open mic.