What's On / Bristol Concerts, Theatre & Dance / poetry

Poetry & Spoken Word Events in Bristol

Name: For The Beatniks - A Poetry Club Night
Start: 2026-10-22T19:00+01:00
End: 2026-10-22T21:00+01:00
Location: Clifton Community Bookshop

upcoming event

Bristol's Poetry Scene

At the time of writing there are very few regular poetry events in Bristol. Milk hosts regular nights at Halo on Gloucester Road and The Wardrobe Theatre in Old Market. Hammer & Tongue occasionally bring their poetry slams to town and have used The Grain Barge for past events. Stand Up For Lyricism promotes poetry events in south Bristol at The Rope Walk and Tobacco Factory Theatre.

Buy tickets for poetry events in Bristol

Our recent poetry recommendations

Sell out warning! Proper pagan fun from the alternative community at Bridge Farm. Delve into the true meaning of Halloween with storytelling, ritual, fire ceremony, esoteric folk music and Wych Elm's eldritch grunge-horror - it'll be just like The Wicker Man (with a PG rating)! Samhain at Bridge Farm at Bridge Farm Community.

Sell out warning! In the UK and across the world, trans rights are in a shambles. Legendary trans historian Susan Stryker is flying in with her new book to help us understand just what's going on with gender, and why everyone's freaking out about it. Changing Gender, both the book and the practice, will set you free. Changing Gender launch with Susan Stryker at Bookhaus.

Sell out warning! Attack Pro crank up the masked mayhem and melting KISS make-up, flipping Loco into a subterranean spandex battleground with a spooky seasonal twist. Inside: Welsh WWE titan Mark Andrews celebrates 20 years between the ropes, Deathmatch Prince Drew Parker defends his title against Chris 'The Stallion' Bronson + more grudge matches TBA. ATTACK Pro Wrestling - GOOSEBUMPS 11 Night 2 at Loco Klub.

Free entry / PWYC! This bumper editions of the priceless Anarchist Bookfair spreads its disruptive tentacles over five venues in Old Market, with radical publishers, direct action crews, free childcare, workshops on resisting immigration raids, blocking the Israeli supply chain, and more. Everything you need to stop doomscrolling, get informed, and get involved... Bristol Anarchist Bookfair at Exchange.

What our editors say

“Dada is more than just collage. This anti-establishment rejection of traditional art and society spawned an approach to writing that’s reverberated through the music world. Whether you’re writing lyrics, poetry or fiction, it will liberate your creative process with randomness and ambiguity. ”
From: Shut Up & Cut Up

“myndstate (he/him) is a spoken word artist, poet, and performer known for blending hard-hitting, vulnerable performances with wit and humour. His words - full of emotion, storytelling, and rhyme - have made him a national poetry slam winner, got him featured on the likes of BBC Radio London, Sky Sports, and Attitude, plus have amassed millions of views online. ”
From: Milk Poetry Presents: myndstate: deep breath

“We will be showcasing all kinds of performance art and cabaret acts! Some examples include drag, burlesque, circus, spoken word, dance, political performance art, stand up comedy, live singing, and lip syncing. You don't have to be under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella to perform or attend, but we ask that allies please respect that this is intended as a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community.”
From: SCRiTCH - Open Mic Cabaret

“If you have written something come and share it otherwise your stories, Flash/Micro fiction/ poetry won't live. You will find a warm and welcoming environment with a very supportive and friendly audience al willing to listen. FREE ENTRY.”
From: Spoken Word Open Mic

“Dimosthenis Papamarkos was born in 1983 in Malessina, Greece. He studied Ancient Greek History at the University of Athens before completing further studies at the University of Oxford. Widely regarded as one of the leading voices of his generation, Papamarkos has published novels, short fiction, plays, screenplays, poetry and graphic novels. He has also translated ancient Greek drama for productions of the National Theatre of Greece. *Gjak* received the prestigious Academy of Athens award, among others, and has been adapted many times for the stage. ”
From: Dimosthenis Papamarkos *Gjak* . With Translator Siân Valvis