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

“Sexquisite Events are an award winning performing arts company platforming the hottest sex worker artists, creating fierce, political and multi-disciplinary work. Come along to our bad bitch cabaret to celebrate how multi-talented + powerful sex workers are. You can expect: dance, burlesque, spoken word, song, comedy, pole + more! By supporting Sexquisite you are enabling us to create paid creative opportunities for those who work in the sex industry. Alongside this you are supporting us in our mission to destigmatise sex work through performance.”
From: SEXQUISITE BRISTOL

“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

Trending Poetry Events

Lyra Festival Pass 2026 at All Festival Venues
— All Festival Venues
workshops & classes poetry festival spoken word
BRISTOL JAZZ FESTIVAL  presents GWYNETH HERBERT at Jazz in the Loft at The Tobacco Factory
— The Tobacco Factory
soul jazz swing spoken word cabaret
International Anglo-Somali Poetry | Anthology Workshop at Easton Community Centre
— Easton Community Centre
workshops & classes poetry spoken word
BASE Library Open Day at BASE
— BASE
workshops & classes family poetry
Hahahaggis #6 - Union of the Clowns at Sidney & Eden
— Sidney & Eden
Event Cancelled
comedy stand-up comedy poetry spoken word
Collage Club: Spring Vision Board making at Commune Cafe
— Commune Cafe
lgbtq+ workshops & classes life drawing poetry exhibition-opening

Bristol Trending Venues

Wardrobe Theatre Redgrave Theatre The Hen & Chicken The Cube Cinema
Something Borrowed, Something Blue — Session Two: Writing the Outside In at Bristol Wood Recycling Project
— Bristol Wood Recycling Project
lgbtq+ workshops & classes poetry
Drawing Myths & Legends at Sidney & Eden
— Sidney & Eden
experimental life drawing spoken word
Enchant at The Mount Without
— The Mount Without
experimental a cappella trip hop poetry spoken word
Queer Stories at Sidney & Eden
— Sidney & Eden
lgbtq+ open mic spoken word
Between The Lines Poetry at Bristol Folk House
— Bristol Folk House
open mic poetry spoken word
Eyebrow at The Architect
— The Architect
jazz psych contemporary jazz ambient poetry
Freelancer Meet-Up at Cafe Kino
— Cafe Kino
lgbtq+ workshops & classes life drawing poetry yoga
Speed Friending Bristol – Meet New People, Skip the Awkwardness at Green house
— Green house
workshops & classes comedy talks spoken word cabaret
Compost Cafe: Open Mic & Quiz at Windmill Hill City Farm
— Windmill Hill City Farm
singer-songwriter open mic poetry spoken word quiz
Patrick Duff at The Mount Without
— The Mount Without
singer-songwriter indie rock indie pop indie folk poetry
Self-Love Sunday: Yoga & Painting your vision✨ at The Greenhouse, Bedminster
— The Greenhouse, Bedminster
lgbtq+ workshops & classes life drawing poetry yoga
Sit Down, Shut Up, Get on Your Knees: Jesus Christ Not Again at St Michael's Parish Hall
— St Michael's Parish Hall
comedy poetry spoken word cabaret food & drink
RIOT ACT with Dylan Moran at The Mount Without
— The Mount Without
open mic comedy stand-up comedy poetry cabaret
Poetries of Place: Eleanor Rees & Cathy Galvin at East Bristol Books