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UK Poetry Open Mics and Live Poetry Events

 

A regularly updated guide to recurring poetry readings, spoken-word nights and open mics around the UK. The emphasis is on independent, grassroots and welcoming events where poets can read, perform, listen and meet other writers.

What is included: regular poetry open mics, spoken-word nights, recurring readings with public floor spots, and a limited number of established annual or occasional events offering genuine opportunities to read. Events that do not keep a fixed monthly date are marked "check dates."

Major update: October 2026. Defunct and clearly outdated listings removed and the directory rebuilt from current organiser, venue and recent event information. It now contains 100 current or currently evidenced recurring, occasional and annual poetry events across the UK.

Location	Day / frequency	Event details
Aberdeen	Regular  check programme	Loud Poets / Aberdeen events Loud Poets runs poetry open mics and slams at The Lemon Tree and other Scottish venues. Check current programme for the next Aberdeen date.
Aberdeen	Last Thursday	Poetry at Books and Beans Books and Beans, 22 Belmont Street, AB10 1JH. Established monthly poetry event; starts 6.30pm. Contact the organisers for the current format and reader arrangements.
Bangor, Northern Ireland	Returning series   check dates	Poetry & a Pint The Court House, 16 Quay Street, BT20 5ED. Guest poets followed by fifteen three-minute open-mic slots; the series returned in October 2026.
Belfast	Monthly    check dates	Purely Poetry The Crescent Arts Centre, 4 University Road. Long-running Poetry NI open mic; readers of all styles and experience welcome. Tickets currently £5.
Birmingham	First Thursday	Poetry Jam Long-running Birmingham open mic, running since 2013 in partnership with We Don’t Settle. All voices and styles welcome; check the current B:Music/Symphony Hall listing for venue details.
Birmingham	Regular   check dates	Verve Open Mic Friendly Birmingham poetry/spoken-word open mic associated with VERVE; recent events at The Hive offer up to five minutes per reader and prioritise a broad range of voices.
Bournemouth	Annual plus year-round activity	Bournemouth Writing Festival Poetry Corner The festival’s Poetry Corner is an open-mic stage where poets can sign up on the day. The organisation also runs writing events throughout the year.
Bradford	Regular    check dates	Bradford Poetry Open Mic Spoke Poetry Hub's Bradford open mic, part of its programme of spoken-word events encouraging new and established voices. Check organiser for next venue/date.
Brighton	Monthly   check dates	Off The Page Afrori Books. Open mic for poetry, spoken word, essays and stories, with particular support for underrepresented voices.
Brighton	Weekly, Tuesday	Spoken Word & Poetry Open Mic The Actors, 4 Princes Street, BN2 1RD. Free weekly poetry/spoken-word open mic; sign-up from 7.30pm, performances from 8pm.
Bristol	Monthly   fourth Thursday	Our Place Poetry HOURS. Free monthly open-mic poetry night; check current listing before travelling.
Bristol	Monthly   check dates	Raise the Bar Open Mic One of the South West's established spoken-word organisations; extended open mic for poets, writers and lyricists, with featured guests. Venue/date can vary.
Bristol	Monthly    check dates	Underground River Kulvert Books' open mic poetry night, open to all; Bristol editions currently take place at Wiper & True Barrel Store. Check organiser for next date.
Bury St Edmunds	Regular    check dates	Poetry Aloud Established Suffolk poetry organisation running popular open-mic nights and festival events. Check the current Poetry Aloud/Bury programme for the next date.
Buxton	Occasional / youth programme	Buxton Opera House Open Mic Buxton Opera House runs open-mic opportunities for young performers aged 14–30, explicitly welcoming poets and storytellers alongside musicians and comedians.
Cambridge	Occasional   check programme	Cambridge University Library Poetry Open Mic Cambridge University Library includes public poetry open mics in its cultural programme; a Living Water themed open mic is scheduled for November 2026.
Cardiff	Monthly   mid-month Wednesday	Book Space Poetry Open Mic Book Space Cardiff, 26a Crwys Road, CF24 4NL. Monthly poetry open mic with featured-poet opportunities. Tickets currently around £4.
Carlisle	Annual   Borderlines festival	Borderlines Poetry Open Mic Night Cakes & Ale, 17–19 Castle Street, CA3 8SY. Supportive festival open mic for new and experienced poets; the 2026 event is 6 November, 7.30–9.30pm.
Carlisle	Regular  check dates	SpeakEasy Long-running Carlisle open mic, established in 2004, featuring poets, writers, musicians, artists and storytellers. Check local programme for next session.
Chelmsford	Regular   check Hot Box programme	Hot Box Waxes Lyrical Chelmsford poetry open mic at Hot Box, 28–29 Viaduct Road. An active spoken-word night for performers and listeners; check Hot Box for the next date.
Chester	Regular   check dates	Storyhouse Spoken Word Open Mic Garret Theatre, Storyhouse. New regular live-literature open mic for poetry, prose, flash fiction and creative nonfiction; pay what you can.
Chester	Last Thursday (except December)	The Chester Poets Upstairs at The Boot Inn, 9 Eastgate Street Row, CH1 1LG. Open floor; readers and listeners welcome. Free.
Coventry	First Thursday	Fire & Dust Priory Visitor Centre, 6 Priory Row, CV1 5EX. Poetry open mic with guest poet; page poetry, performance, slam, rap and storytelling all welcome. Free/donations.
Derby	Monthly check dates	Déda Poets Poetry and spoken-word event in Derby; current events are listed through Dubrek/Derby listings. Check current venue/date before attending.
Doncaster	Second Thursday	Well Spoken! Doncaster Brewery & Tap, 7 Young Street, DN1 3EL. Friendly spoken-word open mic with occasional guest poets. Free.
Dorchester	Monthly   check current dates	Jawbone @ The Poet Laureate West Dorset spoken-word open mic welcoming poets, storytellers, writers and singer-songwriters. Five-minute slots; admission free.
Dundee	Occasional    check dates	UN-Hushed Poetry and storytelling event in Dundee, with performances and spoken-word activity. Check current organiser/venue listings for forthcoming editions.
Durham	First Thursday, except January	Poetry Jam Waddington Street Centre. 7–10pm. Long-running monthly evening hosted by North East performance poet Steve Urwin; read your own work or simply listen.
Edinburgh	Third Thursday	Rock the Boat Wee Red Bar. Push the Boat Out's free monthly poetry open mic, welcoming first-timers and experienced performers across styles.
Edinburgh	Monthly  check dates	Shore Poets Established Edinburgh reading series with guest poets and a small number of advance-booked open-mic spots. Check current programme and venue.
Exeter	Last Tuesday	Uncut Poets Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street, EX4 3LS. Monthly guest poets plus bookable open-mic slots. 7.30–10pm; currently £5/£3.
Exeter	Occasional	Word Kitchen Open Mic Exeter Phoenix and other local venues. Open mic for prose writers and poets; themed events, welcoming work in progress and new readers.
Frome	Regular   check dates	Stripy Duck Poetry Open Mic Stripy Duck bookshop/café hosts poetry open-mic evenings with a featured poet; the event also appears in the Frome Festival programme.
Glasgow	Monthly   first Monday	Candlelight Poetry Open Mic The Old Toll Bar, 1 Paisley Road West. Free monthly open mic organised by Ross McFarlane; occasional slam editions and featured poets.
Glasgow	Monthly   second Wednesday	Glasgow Zine Library Poetry Open Mic Glasgow Zine Library, 32–34 Albert Road, G42 8DN. Supportive community-led open mic; advance and on-the-day sign-up, capacity limited.
Glasgow	Last Tuesday	The Midnight Verse The Drake, 1 Lynedoch Street, G3 6EF. Poetry and storytelling open stage, 8–10.30pm; inclusive mixed spoken-word format.
Harrogate	First Monday	Harrogate Poetry Group Open Mic Upstairs room, Empress Hotel, 10 Church Square, HG1 4SP. Friendly open mic for reading or listening; 7.30pm.
Hastings	Monthly	A Load of Poets Popular monthly Hastings poetry open mic hosted by poet Tim Barlow; also features in Hastings Book Festival programming. Check festival/organiser listings for the next venue/date.
Hastings	Annual   September	Hastings Book Festival Open Mics Ten-day book festival with poetry, independent publishers and public open-mic events, including A Load of Poets.
Huddersfield	Regular   check dates	Ink Spill The Head of Steam, 8 St George's Square, HD1 1JB. Poetry workshop followed by a supportive open mic; events run through 2026.
Hull	First Thursday	Away With Words Union Mash Up, 22 Princes Avenue, HU5 3QA. Long-running Hull spoken-word open mic: poetry, monologues, comedy and more. Free; doors 7pm.
Inverness	Regular  check dates	HighlandLIT Open Mic Roots Café, 1 Crown Avenue, IV2 3NF, with Zoom participation. Free; twelve five-minute reading slots normally booked in advance.
Ipswich	Third Thursday	SoapBox All Ages Open Mic Roots Community Café. Free monthly all-ages spoken-word open mic, 4–6pm, welcoming poems, stories and performance from all generations.
Ipswich	Regular   check dates	Words & Verses Ipswich’s longest-running spoken-word open mic, founded in 2012 and now hosted at the New Wolsey Theatre. Poetry, storytelling, rap, comedy and other spoken forms welcome.
Leeds	Monthly  usually second Monday	Soundbites HEART, Bennett Road, Headingley, LS6 3HN. Guest poet followed by open mic; sign-up from 6.30pm, event 7–9pm. Free/donation.
Leicester	Second Monday	Get Mouthy The Big Difference, 68 High Street. Friendly poetry night with around 15 open-mic readers, a headliner and communal poem. Currently £3.
Leicester	Monthly   check dates	Some-Antics Spoken Word Phoenix Leicester. Open mic, poetry slam, guest performers and music; open-mic slots usually three minutes. Low-cost entry.
Liverpool	Regular   check Everyman programme	A Lovely Word Liverpool Everyman, Hope Street. Free, friendly performance-poetry night built around open-mic poets and a featured headliner.
Liverpool	Third Wednesday	Dead Good Poets Open Mic Friends Meeting House, 22 School Lane, L1 3BT. 7.30 - 9.30pm. Limited five-minute open-mic slots; contact organisers for details before attending.
London  Covent Garden	Monthly  check Poetry Society dates	The Poetry Society Open Mic The Poetry Cafe, 22 Betterton Street, WC2H 9BX. Regular Poetry Society open mic hosted by guest presenters; booking and reader sign-up required.
London  Finsbury Park	Regular  check dates	The Writing Shed Poetry Open Mic The Front Room, 158 Tollington Park, N4 3AD. Community poetry open mic with advance reader tickets and sign-up opportunities.
London  Greenwich	First Monday	Everything Poetry Night The Oystercatcher, Greenwich. Monthly grassroots spoken-word night with headliners and open-mic names drawn from a hat.
London  Peckham	First Wednesday	Resonance Open Mic Poetry Night SET Social, 55a Nigel Road, SE15 4NP. Free, welcoming open mic run by a queer volunteer collective; advance and door slots.
London  Richmond	Regular  check dates	Poetry on the Rise Open Mic Books on the Rise, Richmond. Contemporary poetry open mic in an independent bookshop; performer tickets give readers five-minute slots.
London  Soho	Third Thursday (except December; occasional date changes)	Poems Not Bombs The Spice of Life, 7 Moor Street, W1D 5NB. Monthly afternoon poetry open mic for all ages and levels; sign up on the day.
London  Spitalfields	Monthly  check dates	Second Space Second Home Spitalfields, 68–80 Hanbury Street, E1 5JL. Spoken word, music, featured artists and open mic for emerging performers.
London  Walthamstow	Last Thursday (except December; check exceptions)	Poems Not Bombs: Walthamstow Walthamstow Trades Hall, 61–63 Tower Hamlets Road, E17 4RQ. Free poetry open mic for all experience levels; sign-up before start.
Manchester	First Thursday	Speak Easy Dulcimer, 567 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, M21 0AE. Relaxed spoken-word open mic welcoming poetry, prose, flash fiction and nonfiction. Free.
Manchester	Last Wednesday	The Space Poetic Terrace NQ, 43 Thomas Street. Free hybrid poetry gallery and open mic; poets can display written work as well as perform.
Manningtree, Essex	Second Tuesday	Poetry Plus Pump Room, Red Lion, 42 South Street, CO11 1BG. Friendly open mic; read your own work or another poet's. Free, but support the pub.
Marsden, Huddersfield	Second Wednesday	Marsden Poetry Open Mic Marsden Mechanics Hall, Peel Street, HD7 6BW. 7.30–9.30pm. Monthly open-floor poetry night; £3 including refreshment. Dates are published well into 2027.
Morecambe	Annual  September	Morecambe Poetry Festival Winter Gardens and other Morecambe venues. Major independent poetry festival with nationally known poets, local slam winners, poetry breakfasts, walks and late-night open mics.
New Milton, Hampshire	Monthly check dates	Play on Words Open Mic Forest Arts Centre. Open mic with featured poets/writers and public reading opportunities; current 2026 dates run through the autumn and winter.
Newcastle upon Tyne	Monthly  check dates	Underground River Elder Beer, 290 Chillingham Road. Open mic poetry night open to all; free Newcastle editions are scheduled periodically.
Newport, South Wales	Monthly  check current dates	Cwtsh / Murenger Open Mic The Murenger, Newport. Long-running poetry and literature open mic organised through Cwtsh; current 2026 programme includes Open Mics 125 and 126.
Northumberland — Ashington	Quarterly intention  check dates	Coal Town Poetry Woodhorn Museum near Ashington. New open-mic series launched in September 2026, with an emphasis on mining heritage and the post-industrial North East but open to poems on any subject.
Norwich	Second Monday	Café Writers Monthly readings of poetry and prose with open-mic slots. Events are often on Zoom with selected in-person dates; check programme.
Norwich	Annual summer event	Café Writers Plantation Garden Open Mic Café Writers’ summer in-person open mic at Plantation Garden, Norwich. Sign up on the day; one poem per reader. Check Café Writers for future summer dates.
Nottingham	Monthly  check dates	Free Minds The King Billy. Free poetry open mic built around accessible community and freedom of expression; check current socials/listings for date.
Nottingham	Third Monday	Words of Wisdom The Angel Microbrewery & The Chapel, 7 Stoney Street, NG1 1LG. Free poetry open mic with changing monthly themes.
Online	Last Sunday	Allographic Virtual Open Mic Monthly online open mic with featured guests. Advance ticket and performer application required; useful for poets anywhere in the UK.
Online	Second Thursday	Fire & Dust Virtual Online companion to Coventry's Fire & Dust. International poets welcome; advance Eventbrite registration.
Oxford	Monthly  last Sunday, check dates	Lamb & Flag Writers' Night / Poetry Open Mic Lamb & Flag, 12 St Giles. Prose performances followed by poetry open mic; poets can generally turn up and sign up on the night.
Oxford	Monthly  last Sunday	Lamb & Flag Writers Night and Poetry Open Mic Lamb & Flag, 12 St Giles. Prose performances followed by a poetry open mic; poets can turn up and sign up on the night.
Peterborough	First Thursday, February November	Good Shout! Poetry Open Mic Here We Aren't, Godric Square. Spoken-word and poetry open mic; usually two poems per poet, with priority to new performers and those travelling.
Reading	Second Friday	Poets' Cafe LIVE South Street Arts Centre. Guest poets plus twenty first-come open-mic slots; doors 8pm, poetry 8.30pm.
Scunthorpe	Usually third Thursday	Speak Out Scunny Café INDIE, 169 - 173 High Street, DN15 6EH. Spoken-word open mic welcoming poetry, prose, comedy, monologues and sketches; no booking required.
Sheffield	Last Friday	First Draughts Hop Hideout, Leah's Yard, Sheffield S1 4HP. Monthly poetry and spoken-word night centred on community and a supportive open mic.
Sheffield	Last Thursday	The Words Are Coming Showroom Cinema, 15 Paternoster Row, S1 2BX. Monthly spoken-word/open-mic event; advance contact for performance slots.
Sheffield	Last Tuesday	Word Up Crookes Club, Mulehouse Road, S10 1TD. Alternative spoken-word night with special guests and open-mic slots.
Shrewsbury	Annual / occasional	Shrewsbury Pride Poetry Open Mic Poetry open mic forms part of the town's Pride programme; useful occasional platform for local spoken-word performers. Check annual programme.
Southampton	Last Friday  check dates	Moving Voices Bitterne Station Community Hub and occasional partner venues. Long-running inclusive poetry/spoken-word open mic; sign-up on the night.
Southampton	Third Friday	October Books Poetry Open Mic October Books, Southampton. Hosted poetry open mic on the third Friday of the month; check current calendar for exact details.
Southampton	Monthly  check dates	Write a Note Mayflower Studios cafe bar. ArtfulScribe-associated monthly platform for poetry, spoken word and live literature; supportive of new work.
St Albans	Regular  check programme	Ver Poets Reading & Open Mic Ver Poets holds readings and open mics in St Albans, including events at The Saint & Sinner and St Albans Library. Free and open to all unless otherwise stated.
St Andrews	Occasional check dates	Forspoken Poetry & Open Mic Poetry evening and open mic at Aikman's Bar, St Andrews. Check current local listings for forthcoming editions.
Stirling / Cambusbarron	Regular selected Thursdays	Foresters Arms Open Mic Foresters Arms, Cambusbarron. Mixed open mic explicitly welcoming poetry, comedy, music and other performance; check current dates.
Stockport	Monthly usually second Thursday	Write Out Loud Stockport Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery, Wellington Road South, SK3 8AB. Friendly open-floor poetry night; occasional online sessions when necessary.
Swansea	First Thursday	Prose to the People Cinema & Co, 17 Castle Street, SA1 1JF. Audience-friendly monthly open mic welcoming poetry and other spoken reading/recital.
Swindon	Regular  check dates	Swindon Poetry Cafe Open Mic Current Swindon poetry open mic, recently hosted at Café Vialottie. Check current organiser/venue listings for the next date.
Tunbridge Wells	Third Tuesday, except August	Kent & Sussex Poetry Society Royal Wells Hotel. Monthly reading by established poets, normally with a short open-mic section. Non-members welcome; current admission £3.
Whitchurch, Shropshire	Third Monday, every other month	Poetry Whitchurch Open Mic Percy's Cafe Bar, The Bullring. Guest poet plus open mic; free. Current 2026 dates include 19 October and 21 December.
Wigan	Second Thursday	Write Out Loud Wigan Bailiff Bar, The Old Courts, Crawford Street, WN1 1NA. Wigan's long-running poetry open mic; beginners and established poets welcome. Free.
Winchester	Regular    check dates	Poetry Platform The Railway Inn, 3 St Pauls Hill, SO22 5AE. Free poetry/spoken-word/prose open mic welcoming experienced writers and first-time readers.
Winchester	Annual / festival programme	Winchester Poetry Day Open Mic The ARC, Winchester. Public open mic within Winchester Poetry Day; free, welcoming poets aged 16+ and all experience levels.
Wirral — Port Sunlight	Annual plus events through the year	Wirral Poetry Festival Volunteer-run festival based around Port Sunlight, with readings, workshops, poetry walks, slam and open-mic opportunities. The organisation also runs events during the year.
Wolverhampton	Regular  check dates	PASTA Arena Theatre. Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists’ friendly poetry and short-story open floor, often built around a loose theme; free entry.
Wolverhampton	Regular  check dates	Yes We Cant Poetry and spoken-word night run by Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists, currently at the Lych Gate Tavern, with headline poets and ten open-mic spots.
Wrexham / Chester area	Regular   check dates	Voicebox / Storyhouse Spoken Word Voicebox Wxm poets feature in local open mics and showcases, including Storyhouse's regular spoken-word open mic. Check current programme for Wrexham and Chester dates.
York	First Tuesday	The SPOKEN WORD Exhibition Hotel, Bootham, YO30 7BW. Monthly open mic in the conservatory; five-minute slots, listeners welcome. Free.

Know of a long-running poetry open mic or reading series that should be here? Poetry Kit welcomes corrections and additions. Please send the event name, town, usual date, venue and a current web or social-media link.