Poetry Café

Internal photograph of the Poetry CaféThe Poetry Café is hidden away halfway down a side street in Covent Garden. (See map). At lunchtime it is a place to meet your friends over a delicious vegetarian meal, freshly cooked by one of our talented cooks. We welcome people who just like the place, the food and the ethos as much as poets and poetry enthusiasts.

During the morning and afternoon the café's atmosphere is contemplative; you can sit and write while nursing a cappuccino and a muffin, read the collection of poetry magazines in the basement, browse through fliers for competitions and events all over London and the south east or take a look at our selection of second-hand books for sale.

In the evening the atmosphere is busy and vibrant; we have poetry readings almost every night (except Sundays). Some are weekly events, some monthly or bi-monthly and some occasional or one-off. Each event has its own audience and its own following of poets (see regular events). For newcomers or those wishing to read, Poetry Unplugged is London's premier open mic session where people who have never read a poem in public can do so for the first time, or experienced poets can try out something new. We encourage you to try various events to find which poetry community suits your work best.

Become a Cafè Member

If you would like regular information about café events and prior knowledge of special events, or you would just like to use the café on a regular basis, then become a member of the café. This is a free service - you need to either sign our book in the cafe with your email address or join our email list via our Contact Page. We require two days to register you as a member of the café.

Accessibility

The Poetry Café offers a lift, an accessible toilet and a hearing induction loop.

Private Hire - Please check schedule

On occasion the Poetry Cafe is closed for private hire - please check the schedule before you visit to make sure it's open. Interested in hiring? Contact the Manager for rates and availability.

Poetry Cafe
22 Betterton Street
London
WC2H 9BX

Tel: 020 7420 9887
Send us an email

Manager: Ely Ahamed

Opening times 

12 noon - 11pm Monday to Friday
7pm - 11pm Saturday.

Closed on Sunday, and on occasions for private hire - please check the calendar before you visit.