Poetry Café (The Poetry Place)
22 Betterton Street
London WC2H 9BX

Email: Ely Ahamed
Telephone: 020 7420 9888

Opening times 

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

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

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The Poetry Café
Regular events

There are poetry readings, some of which include music, on almost every night of the week (except Sundays, when the café is closed).

Many of these are regular weekly, monthly or bi-monthly events but there is also some room in the calendar for one-off readings, book or magazine launches, spoken word events, etcetera.

Detailed below are the events at the core of our regular programme.

Poetry Unplugged

Now 10 years old, this is London's premier poetry open mic night. Every Tuesday, sign up between 6-7pm. The event starts at 7:30pm. Hosted by Niall O'Sullivan.

"Then a first-time reader is announced, the host hollers: "Next up, a Poetry Unplugged virgin!" and a roar of approval spreads throughout the intimate audience, a cheer louder than anyone would rightfully expect to emanate from 50 people." David Bryant, Morning Star 

Exiled Writers INK

A monthly gathering of writers exiled from their homeland with featured performers and floor sports (see monthly calendar for exact dates, usually first Monday of the month).

www.exiledwriters.co.uk

Fourth Friday

At 8pm on the fourth friday of every month Fourth Friday features booked poets, singers, songwriters and musicians - known and not so known. There is also an opportunity to hear voices from the floor.

Fourth Friday is hosted by Hylda Sims & Dix Schofield. Hylda is a poet, novelist and songwriter with a track record for organising live poetry and music events at the Poetry Café and elsewhere. Liz is a songwriter, singer and guitarist performing regularly in the Southeast.

 

Loose Muse

Monthly evening for women writers of all genres. One or more guest readers plus floor spots.

Hosted by Agnes Meadows.

 

Tall Lighthouse Open  Mic

The Tall Lighthouse Open Mic is a free Monday night event from the popular poetry publishing press. It's a new home for poets, storytellers and singers to experiment with their art forms. www.tall-lighthouse.co.uk Sign up between 6:30 and 7pm. 

 

Survivors Poetry

Monthly open mic for survivors on second Thursday of month.

Bloomsbury Voices

Keeping salon style performances of spoken word and music alive in Central London and at the Poetry Café for 6 years, these intimate shows cleverly weave spoken word and music around specific themes like: Love Sweet and Sour, Witches, Bitches and Things That Go Bump In The NIght and Science, Sex and Multiverse.
 
The shows feature the work of resident poets, Stephanie Gerra and Wendy Shutler and musician, Steve Dagleish who are often accompanied by a special guest. Recent guests have included Viv Fogel, Peter Ebsworth (editor of the South Bank Poetry Magazine) and Eco-poet, Murray Shelmerdine.  All events include an open mic.
 

Platform 1

Platform 1 is an opportunity for up and coming poets to perform alongside established acts. Doors open at 7pm. Come along on the night to put your name down. Doors open at 7pm.

Hosted by Jeremy Sallon