Burger 'n Beer Open Mic

The Alma Cafe returns to our legendary Burger 'n Beer Open Mic Nights after a 7 year hiatus!

Free Entry

Three Acts

Legendary Sound

Unbeatable Atmosphere for Live Music

Come along and discover the enormous talent we have coming up in Cape Town, take a chance on finding the newest break out star, and help to create a thriving music industry for all comers, starting right here at The Alma Cafe!

Some History:

During our first real blossoming of the venue as a cultural landmark in Cape Town, around 2012 / 2013 to 2017, we ran a weekly Open Mic night every Wednesday.

At the time, it was considered such a vital part of the broader Cape Town music industry that we were recognized and honoured by the local Rotary Club and presented with an award for Community Service!

We found so many great artists through the platform - artists who are now considered headliners at the venue, to name a few, Hatchetman, Jak Tomas (formerly Josh Grierson), Emma du Preez, Taleswapper, Shotgun Tori, Jennifer Eaves, Jenny & the Jameses, Nobuhle Ashanti, Hartleyvale, Thembilihle Dunjana, Taleswapper, The Betsies, etc, etc

Starting from 2018, there was a real global contraction in the music industry in general, and we had to shut down the Open Mic events. Then, of course, the horrors of 2020 and COVID nixed any ideas of getting Open Mic back together and it was an utter fight for survival for the next few years.

NOW, with Alma Cafe pushing for growth in all directions again, the time seems ripe to start being a part of rebuilding the industry and planning for the long term sustainability of Live Music in Cape Town!

Why this Matters:

For amateur musicians, open mics are often the first stepping stone onto a real stage. They help performers learn microphone techniques, stage presence, and how to project to a live crowd. More seasoned musicians rely on these same stages to road-test new material and gauge audience reactions before taking their songs into the studio or booking paid gigs.

Music scenes thrive on interpersonal connection. Open mics bring artists, promoters, and music lovers into the same room on a regular basis. It is common for these events to spark spontaneous jam sessions and long-term collaborations. Because performers typically stay to listen to one another, a tight-knit creative community naturally forms around the venue.

In a local music scene, building a loyal following starts one person at a time. Open mics allow musicians to distribute information about upcoming ticketed gigs, trade social media handles, and create content (like live videos and recordings) to share online. The environment encourages attendees to discover local acts they wouldn't have heard otherwise, steadily growing the audience base for the entire scene.