Wichita is the largest city in Kansas and the self-proclaimed "Air Capital of the World," but players know it as a friendly, affordable music town with a strong blues society, a weekly bluegrass night at a downtown brewery and a busy calendar of open mics. From a jazz lounge in Old Town to a dive bar near Wichita State, there's a stage for just about every style. This guide covers Wichita's history, its music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams.
A Brief History of Wichita
The confluence of the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers was a gathering place for the Wichita people and other Plains nations long before European settlement. In the 1860s, Wichita and Affiliated Tribes members settled at the site for several years, and the city that grew there took their name. Today the 44-foot Keeper of the Plains sculpture by Kiowa-Comanche artist Blackbear Bosin stands at the river confluence, honoring that history.
Wichita was incorporated in 1870 and boomed as a cowtown on the Chisholm Trail, where Texas cattle drives met the railroad. Lawman Wyatt Earp served on the Wichita police force in the 1870s before heading to Dodge City and Tombstone. When the cattle trade moved west, grain milling and oil kept the city growing.
In the 20th century, Wichita became the "Air Capital of the World." Clyde Cessna, Walter Beech and Lloyd Stearman built aircraft companies here, followed by Learjet and a huge Boeing plant, and aviation still anchors the local economy. Wichita is also the birthplace of White Castle (1921) and Pizza Hut (1958). In 1958, local students staged the Dockum Drug Store sit-in, one of the earliest successful lunch-counter sit-ins of the Civil Rights Movement.
The Wichita Music Scene
Wichita supports a deep arts infrastructure for a city its size. The Wichita Symphony Orchestra performs at Century II, Music Theatre Wichita stages Broadway-caliber summer productions, and Wichita State University's School of Music feeds the local jazz and classical scenes. The Wichita Jazz Festival, founded in 1972, is one of the longer-running jazz festivals in the Midwest.
Rock guitarist Joe Walsh of the Eagles was born in Wichita, and the region has a proud alt-country and "Kansas bluegrass" streak, best known through Split Lip Rayfield. The Wichita Blues Society keeps the blues alive with monthly jams, youth programs and blues crawls, and the Kansas Bluegrass Association supports pickers across the state.
Big annual events include Riverfest, the city's sprawling summer festival along the Arkansas River, and the Wichita Forever Festival, a downtown celebration of local and touring music.
Popular Live Music Venues in Wichita
- INTRUST Bank Arena – The downtown arena for major tours.
- Orpheum Theatre – A restored 1922 atmospheric theater for touring concerts and comedy.
- Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center – Home of the Wichita Symphony and touring productions.
- The Cotillion – A historic ballroom for rock, country and tribute shows.
- WAVE (Old Town) – An indoor/outdoor venue for touring indie, rock and hip-hop acts.
- Kirby's Beer Store (3227 E. 17th St. N.) – A tiny, beloved dive near Wichita State that books local and touring underground bands.
- Walker's Jazz Lounge (252 N. Mosley St., Old Town) – A dedicated jazz room with live music and special open-stage nights.
- Barleycorn's and The Brickyard (Old Town) – Popular stops for local bands and blues nights.
- Dockum – A speakeasy-style bar in the historic building where the 1958 sit-in took place, with occasional live music.
- Central Standard Brewing (156 S. Greenwood St.) – A neighborhood brewery that hosts weekly bluegrass and live music.
Open Mics and Open Jams in Wichita
Wichita's jam scene is welcoming and community-driven, with a particularly strong blues society. Below are the standout events, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Open mics and jams change hosts, nights and venues often, and several are monthly. Always check the venue's or host's website or social media before heading out with your gear.
Blues Jams
- Wichita Blues Society Monthly Blues Jam – A monthly open blues jam, roughly 6:00–9:00 p.m., with a house band backing players who sign up. It has recently been held at the Shamrock Lounge; the venue has moved over the years, so check the Society's calendar for the current date and location.
- Wichita Blues Society Youth Jam – Has been held on first Saturdays, giving young players a chance to learn blues and play with experienced musicians.
- Blues crawls and special events – The Society also runs periodic blues crawls through Old Town and Delano that are a great way to meet local players.
Bluegrass and Open Jams
- Bluegrass Tuesdays at Central Standard Brewing (156 S. Greenwood St.) – Tuesdays, 7:00–9:00 p.m. A weekly bluegrass night that draws pickers and listeners; bring an acoustic instrument and ask about joining the circle.
- Kansas Bluegrass Association Jams – The KBA has organized a monthly jam in the Wichita area. Check its calendar for the current date and location.
- Monday Night Open Jam at The Phoenix (235 N. Emporia Ave.) – Mondays. An open jam in a sober community space, a good option for players who want a substance-free setting. Confirm the current schedule.
Open Mics
- The Gaslight Open Mic – A weekly open mic with first-come, first-served sign-up and a 15-minute maximum per performer. Confirm the current night with the venue.
- Musical Mondays at Walker's Jazz Lounge (252 N. Mosley St.) – Has run as a May series of open-stage nights for singers and musicians; tickets about $10, doors at 6:30 p.m. and show at 7:00 p.m. Watch Walker's calendar for future dates.
- The Artichoke Sandwichbar – A quirky local favorite that hosts occasional open mics and acoustic nights.
- Themed open mics – Breweries, coffee shops and community spaces host rotating themed open mics; local event calendars such as Wichita on the Cheap list them weekly.
Wichita Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday (confirm) | Monday Night Open Jam | The Phoenix | Open Jam |
| Tuesday | Bluegrass Tuesdays (7 p.m.) | Central Standard Brewing | Bluegrass |
| Weekly (confirm night) | Open Mic (15-minute max) | The Gaslight | All Styles |
| Monthly | Blues Jam (6 p.m.) | Wichita Blues Society (recently Shamrock Lounge) | Blues |
| Saturday (1st) | Youth Blues Jam | Wichita Blues Society | Blues |
| Monthly | Bluegrass Jam | Kansas Bluegrass Association | Bluegrass |
| Mondays in May | Musical Mondays (7 p.m.) | Walker's Jazz Lounge | Vocal / Jazz |
Tips for Playing Wichita's Open Mics and Jams
- Join the Blues Society. Membership is inexpensive and keeps you in the loop on jams, crawls and youth programs.
- Learn some bluegrass standards. Kansas has a strong picking tradition, and the classics will get you into any circle.
- Watch the weather. Spring storms and summer heat on the plains can be intense; never leave instruments in a hot car.
- Explore Old Town and Delano. Both districts cluster bars and venues within walking distance.
Helpful Local Resources
- Wichita Blues Society (wichitablues.org) – Jam dates, youth programs and blues events.
- Visit Wichita (visitwichita.com) – Event calendar and festival dates.
- KMUW 89.1 FM (kmuw.org) – Wichita's NPR station, with local music coverage.
- Wichita on the Cheap and Wichita By E.B. – Weekly roundups of things to do, including open mics.
