A poetry performance in Bristol

Poetry & Spoken Word Events in Bristol

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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

What our editors say

“Come and kindle the bright fire with: - Grounded yet dynamic movement to awaken the body-mind - Breath practices to cultivate inner fire - A heart-centred yoga nidra to listen deeply to intention - A candle-lit poetry ritual to nourish what is coming into being - Shared snacks and warm drinks to close and ground the work”
From: Bright Fire: A Beltane Yoga & Ritual Gathering

“If you were dazzled by Ben’s previous novels The Topeka School, 10:04 and Leaving The Atocha Station, as well as his variously acclaimed poetry collections and writings on related subjects, you’ll know that this whole thing is a bit of a one-off, so don’t sleep on tickets.”
From: Ben Lerner: Transcription

“Glauber's film pulsates with fury and radiates poetry, the film of a man longing for a better world. This film is a great example of the "aesthetic of hunger" he cultivated in order to depict Latin America's unique situation as a continent, a film style mixing mysticism and politics to countervail the dominance of Western cinematic forms. Please, come to Brazil with us!”
From: Black God, White Devil 8pm

“ENCHANT is a synthesis of lyricism, movement and song; an urgent ritual for renewal, held in a timeless venue. Expect throbbing basslines, ecstatic poetry, guided visioning and choral sound-bathing - moving through and around you in one shared breath.”
From: Enchant

“Elsie Rhymes' Poetry Party is a new, seasonal event hosted by me, Elsie, with two guest poets. Relaxed and informal, uplifting and cheerful with a few laughs thrown in to amuse. Expect different themes and styles of poetry to inspire and tickle your poetry tastebuds. A good excuse to mingle with the poets and perhaps make new friends over an imaginary cheese and pineapple hedgehog. Come and share a drink with us, sit back, relax and dip your fingers into our poetry pies! Featuring...”
From: Elsie Rhymes' Poetry Party

Trending Poetry Events

Lyra Festival Pass 2026 at All Festival Venues
— All Festival Venues
workshops & classes spoken word poetry festival
BRISTOL JAZZ FESTIVAL  presents GWYNETH HERBERT at Jazz in the Loft at The Tobacco Factory
— The Tobacco Factory
soul jazz swing spoken word cabaret
Tottering State #9: Megan Pinto, Emily Lee Luan, Mantra Mukim & Ralph Hoyte at East Bristol Books
Poetry & Resistance:  Bristol's Female Poets of the Past at The Orchard Coffee & Co
— The Orchard Coffee & Co
workshops & classes poetry
Raise the Bar: Open Mic at Orchard Coffee & Co.
— Orchard Coffee & Co.
open mic poetry
Black & Creative : Poetry Open Mic Night at The Square Club, Clifton
— The Square Club, Clifton
singer-songwriter open mic afrobeat spoken word poetry

Bristol Trending Venues

Wardrobe Theatre Redgrave Theatre The Hen & Chicken The Cube Cinema
Freelancer Meet-Up at Cafe Kino
— Cafe Kino
lgbtq+ workshops & classes talks poetry yoga
UNCANNY at The Cube
— The Cube
theatre spoken word
Open Mic at The Annexe Inn
— The Annexe Inn
singer-songwriter open mic comedy spoken word food & drink
Class Lines and Red Rhymes: Bring Down the Haus at Bookhaus
— Bookhaus
workshops & classes talks spoken word poetry
Lyra Bristol Poetry Slam 2026 | Qualifying Heats at Arnolfini
— Arnolfini
spoken word poetry festival
Drawn to... Spring at L'Étoile Studio
— L'Étoile Studio
singer-songwriter workshops & classes life drawing spoken word poetry
Spring Equinox Ceremony at Wild Goose Space
— Wild Goose Space
lgbtq+ workshops & classes poetry yoga exhibition-opening
Byrfyfyr - Free Improv at Elmer's Arms
— Elmer's Arms
experimental contemporary jazz noise spoken word
'Interlude' Open Pit - Performance, text and music exchange at The Launderette
— The Launderette
folk experimental jam session open mic spoken word
In The Dark: After Dark - The Sleepwalkers Guide to The City at The Wardrobe Theatre
— The Wardrobe Theatre
theatre spoken word
Free Sound + Poetry at Exchange
— Exchange
experimental jazz noise spoken word poetry
Open-Decks at The Backroom at The Backroom (Shredz)
— The Backroom (Shredz)
soul open mic hip hop house spoken word
Luke Kennard: Black Bag at Gloucester Road Books
— Gloucester Road Books
talks spoken word poetry
The Veg Patch - An Open Mic at Redcatch Community Gardens
— Redcatch Community Gardens
singer-songwriter open mic stand-up comedy spoken word poetry