The Hotel Utah Saloon's open mic tradition began in 1977, following the venue's transformation from Al's Transbay Tavern into the Hotel Utah Saloon. This change included the construction of a small stage, which became the platform for the open mic nights that have since become a staple of San Francisco's music scene.
Over the years, the open mic at Hotel Utah has gained a reputation for showcasing a diverse array of talent, including performances by artists such as Robin Williams, Whoopi Goldberg, John Mayer, and Lake Street Dive. It continues to be a vibrant part of the city's cultural landscape, offering a welcoming space for both emerging and established performers.
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Happens every Monday at 7 pm
with host Carly Beltramo
The order of performers is determined via a random drawing at 7:30 pm. If you would like to perform, seek out the beer pitcher located directly in from of the stage. Write your name on a slip of paper and drop it in the pitcher. At 7:30, the host will draw the names out of the hat - the order in which they're pulled out is the order of performers. The music starts right after the name draw.
FAQ
How can I sign up?
The order of performers is determined via a random drawing at 7:30 pm.
How long can I play?
1 song not to exceed 6 minutes. (Medlies of songs are not allowed and will be treated harshly.) (Performers exceeding 6 minutes will also be treated harshly).
What's the deal with the Featured Performer?
In addition to the open mic, every Monday we have a 'featured artist'. The featured artist goes on at 10 pm and plays for half an hour. If you'd like to be a feature, just come and play the open mic a bunch of times and at some point, you'll be asked to feature.
What gear do you have available on stage?
• House guitar
• House piano
• House PA system with monitors
• 2 vocal mics
• 1 instrument mic
• 2 1/4" cables to plug in instruments
What kind of instruments can I bring?
Instruments with plug-ins are preferred, but we can mic instruments without a pickup.
What if I want to play with a group?
It's cool, just don't take too long to set up your stuff. If you have a drummer, leave the drums at home - just bang on a box or a guitar case or something.
Has the open mic won any awards?
YES!
