Shoreline is a leafy suburban city on Puget Sound just north of Seattle, and it's home to one of the area's most fun open mics. Twice a week, a bar on Aurora Avenue opens its stage to musicians with a piano, drums and backline, and the night ends with a group sing-along. Seattle's huge music scene and Edmonds' open mics are minutes away. This guide covers Shoreline's history, the local music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams.
A Brief History of Shoreline
The shores of Puget Sound north of Seattle were home to the Duwamish and other Coast Salish peoples, who fished, gathered shellfish and lived in villages along the water. American settlers arrived in the late 1800s, logging the forests and building small communities like Richmond Beach, Lake Forest Park and Ronald.
The Interurban electric railway, which opened in 1910 between Seattle and Everett, and later the North Trunk Road, which became Aurora Avenue (Highway 99), brought suburban growth. After World War II, the area filled with homes, and the name "Shoreline" came into use, after the local school district formed in the 1940s.
Shoreline incorporated as a city in 1995. Today it's known for its parks, Richmond Beach Saltwater Park's sunset views over the Olympic Mountains, Shoreline Community College and the new light rail stations that connect it to Seattle.
The Shoreline Music Scene
Shoreline's music life is neighborhood-scale, centered on bars along Aurora Avenue, community events and Shoreline Community College's music programs. The city's location gives players easy access to Seattle, one of the most important music cities in America, home of Jimi Hendrix, grunge, Quincy Jones's early career and today's indie and folk scenes.
The Seattle area also has deep folk and singing traditions. The Seattle Folklore Society supports song circles, pub sings and jams across the region, and Edmonds, just north of Shoreline, hosts monthly songwriter open mics.
Popular Live Music Venues In and Near Shoreline
- The Hidden Door (14525 Aurora Ave. N.) – A friendly neighborhood bar with a twice-weekly open mic and jam. 21+.
- Aurora Borealis (16708 Aurora Ave. N.) – A Shoreline bar that has hosted live music and open mic events. 21+.
- Cabin Tavern (19322 Richmond Beach Dr. NW) – A Richmond Beach tavern with a history of weekly jams.
- Engels Pub (113 5th Ave. S., Edmonds) – A pub with a monthly open mic, about 10 minutes north.
- Seattle venues – The Tractor Tavern, Neumos, The Crocodile, Tim's Tavern and the Paramount Theatre, all within 20–30 minutes.
Open Mics and Open Jams In and Near Shoreline
Shoreline's signature open stage is on Aurora Avenue, and Edmonds and north Seattle add more within 15 minutes. Below are the best options, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Open mics and jams change hosts, nights and venues often. Always check the venue's or host's website or social media before heading out with your gear.
In Shoreline
- Musical Shenanigans Open Mic & Jam at The Hidden Door (14525 Aurora Ave. N.) – Sundays and Tuesdays. Sign-ups open around 6:30 p.m., with music from 7:00 or 8:00 p.m. Each slot gets three songs (12–15 minutes including setup), and the night includes a group sing-along around 9:30 p.m. The bar has a full-size piano, five mics, drums and a bass amp. Drinks are inexpensive; no food on site. 21+.
- Cabin Tavern Jam (19322 Richmond Beach Dr. NW) – Has hosted a Tuesday evening jam with singing at 7:00 p.m. Confirm the current schedule.
- Aurora Borealis (16708 Aurora Ave. N.) – Has tested open mic nights; check its social media for a regular schedule.
Nearby
- Engels Pub Open Mic (113 5th Ave. S., Edmonds) – Last Tuesday of the month, 8:00–11:00 p.m. 21+.
- Musicology Co Songwriter Open Mic (420 5th Ave. S., Suite 107, Edmonds) – Last Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. All ages; original songs.
- Seattle Pub Sing (St. Andrews Pub, 7407 Aurora Ave. N., Seattle) – Third Thursdays, 7:00–9:00 p.m. A traditional group sing from the Seattle Folklore Society community.
- SeattleJams Meetup – A large Meetup group that organizes open mics and jams around the region.
Shoreline-Area Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Musical Shenanigans Open Mic & Jam | The Hidden Door, Shoreline | All Styles (backline) |
| Tuesday | Musical Shenanigans Open Mic & Jam | The Hidden Door, Shoreline | All Styles (backline) |
| Tuesday (confirm) | Jam (7 p.m.) | Cabin Tavern, Richmond Beach | Acoustic / Sing-Along |
| Tuesday (last) | Open Mic (8 p.m.) | Engels Pub, Edmonds | All Styles |
| Wednesday (last) | Songwriter Open Mic (6 p.m.) | Musicology Co, Edmonds | Original Songs |
| Thursday (3rd) | Seattle Pub Sing (7 p.m.) | St. Andrews Pub, Seattle | Group Sing |
Tips for Playing Shoreline-Area Open Mics and Jams
- Bring your band to The Hidden Door. Drums, a bass amp and a piano are provided.
- Stay for the sing-along. It's the best part of the night and a great way to meet regulars.
- Use light rail. Shoreline's Link stations make it easy to reach Seattle venues.
- Protect your gear from the rain. Pacific Northwest drizzle is constant from fall through spring.
Helpful Local Resources
- Shoreline Area News (shorelineareanews.com) – Local events, including open mics.
- Seattle Folklore Society (seafolklore.org) – Song circles, jams and folk concerts.
- MLTnews (mltnews.com) – Weekly music listings for Shoreline, Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace.
- SeattleJams (meetup.com/seattlejams) – Open mic and jam meetups.
