I've been to a few open-mic nights, though not since Covid started. They're running again, but I have yet to return.

For sure most venues want to get customers through the doors and earn some money from the occasion, but I wonder (here in the UK, anyway) how many see it as free musical entertainment and how many see is as just as a class of customer they can attract. Most venues here seem to be once a month at most. The quality of performance is distinctly mixed. They're certainly an opportunity for newcomers to gain stage experience and exposure.

The one I was going to is a social club ... no food and relatively low drinks prices.

Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
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