Take your music and performance lifestyle live for a night out along the South Shore. Open mics and music nights happen nearly every night through Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland, and here are a few that will help you reach your 10,000 hours of mastery. Know of more local performance opportunities that we’ve missed? This list is made to grow, so please let us know…
Bulldog Brewing Co.’s First Friday Karaoke
Reoccurring every first Friday of the month at 9 p.m.
Every first Friday of the month at 9 p.m., karaoke night comes to Bulldog Brewing Co., in Whiting.
D.J. Roni is your host and they boast a wide selection of your favorite songs waiting to be sung by you.
Pick your favorite tune, put your name on the list, grab an 11 Mile Lager and hit the stage. An amazing and musical night out is guaranteed for all.
Need songs to sing? Open with anything by the Beastie Boys for energy, and close your night out with “Sweet Caroline,” by Neil Diamond – it’s bound to be sung at least once, so it might as well be sung by you (the audience will love it)!
1409 - 119th St.
Whiting, Ind.
Phone: 219-655-5284
bulldogbrewingco.com
Aftermath Cidery and Winery’s Karaoke
Reoccurring every other Friday from 7-10 p.m.
Karaoke night is live at Aftermath Cidery and Winery from 7-10 p.m. every other Friday through the summer. Be sure to visit their monthly calendar to see which Friday night event occurs, because the cidery rotates between karaoke and live music. Let your song selection be bold, like Aftermath’s Avalanche cider - a semi-dry cider that would make a Granny Smith smile.
15 Washington St.
Valparaiso, Ind.
Phone: 219-299-8463
aftermathcidery.com
White Rhino Bar & Grill’s Karaoke Nights
Reoccurring every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9 p.m.
Pick your favorite songs to cover two nights a week at White Rhino Bar & Grill. Karaoke plays live on Wednesday nights at 9:30 p.m. and Sunday nights at 9 p.m. in Dyer, and if you’d rather only listen to tunes, Rhino offers a live DJ spinning every Friday and Saturday.
This is a good bet for any group looking to get out and get musical.
101 E Joliet St.
Dyer, Ind.
Phone: 219-864-9200
whiterhinoonline.com
Burn ‘Em Brewing’s Vinyl Night
Reoccurring every Tuesday at 4 p.m.
Local musician Robert Rolfe is known for an extensive and elaborate vinyl collection, and he spins his wares every Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Burn ‘Em Brewing. After exploring some classics and his favorites, Rolfe will crack open a brand new vinyl each week, so you’re always offered a new tune for your ears.
Feel free to use the vinyl to inspire you to sample a new creation from Burn ‘Em Brewing while you’re there. Nearly 10 beers are always on tap, with new flavors rotating in and out every season. We recommend The Hop Parade - it’s a five hop variety IPA, dry hopped with Citra and Nugget hops.
When Burn ‘Em is not spinning vinyl on Tuesdays, you can catch some of the best acoustic acts in the region. You won’t know until you show up!
718 Freyer Rd.
Michigan City, Ind.
Phone: 219-210-3784
burnembrewing.com
D Performance Comedy Theatre’s Open Mic
Reoccurring every Wednesday at 8 p.m.
Anything can happen every Wednesday night at D PerforMANCE Comedy Theater in Gary - music, improv, sketch and stand-up welcomed. The show is free and the list and doors open at 8 p.m.
500 Lake St.
Gary, Ind.
Phone: 773-796-1327
One Trick Pony Brewery’s Open Mic
Reoccurring every Wednesday from 7-11 p.m.
Laid back, lacking pretense, but full of support - head to One Trick Pony Brewery every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. and sign yourself up to perform your music. Not looking to perform? Everyone would love an extra audience member. Enjoy fantastic beer and One Trick Pony pizza while you watch the show. Under 21s allowed to perform.
17851 Chappel Ave.
Lansing, Ill.
Phone: 708-889-6683
Evil Horse Brewing’s Open Mic
Reoccurring every Thursday from 7:30-10:30 p.m.
Enjoy live, local music and bring the tools of your trade to get up and play. Musicians that attend the open mic also have the potential to book some gigs with the brewery on their visits. Just ask the host after your set!
For those feeling bold, try out their brand new Russian Imperial Stout, Eyjafjallajökull - rich with licorice, molasses, vanilla, oak, coffee, dark chocolate, dark dried fruit flavors and honey. Yum.
1338 Main St.
Crete, Ill.
Phone: 708-304-2907
evilhorsebrewing.com
Just Joe’s Acoustic Jams
Reoccurring every Thursday from 9 p.m.- 1 a.m.
Live acoustic music, karaoke and anything you’d like to hear on request. JUST JOE’s in Griffith invites you to their reoccurring mic/jam to help you practice your chops.
602 E. Main St.
Griffith, Ind.
Phone: 219-513-8055
Find them on facebook
Paul Henry’s Art Gallery’s Acoustic Jam and Open Table Potluck
Reoccurring every Thursday at 7 p.m.
Write a song, make a dish and bring them both to Paul Henry’s Art Gallery in Hammond for their weekly jam. The music community is vibrant in Hammond and the potluck is packed with audience members and performers alike. There’s a $5 cover charge, but if you play or bring your own dish, you’ll receive $2 off your entry. At Paul Henry’s, everyone is a part of the show…
416 Sibley St.
Hammond, Ind.
paulhenrysartgallery.com
One Best Life at Tinker’s Attic’s Open Mics
Reoccurring every Monday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
One Best Life at Tinker’s Attic in Highland hosts two reoccurring open mics every week - electric on Saturdays, and acoustic on Mondays. Bring your poetry, music, sketch, stand up, improv or just your voice. Check in with Susan at 219-228-0105 for more information between the Saturday and Monday mics.
2513 Highway Ave.
Highland, Ind.
Phone: 219-301-5096
