Raise the Bar returns with another dynamic night of live poetry at The Orchard Coffee & Co., with two brilliant feature acts Farah Chamma (as part of her UK 'The Troubadour' Tour) & Pete the Temp. Hosted this month by Danny Carlo Pandolfi.

Our open mics are welcome to poets, rappers, storytellers, lyricists, songwriters, and wordsmiths of all styles and levels of experience, whether it's your first time or your 100th. If you'd like to sign up to perform, or just sit back with a beverage and listen to some of the city's finest wordsmiths, this is the evening for you.

16+ accompanied. Wheelchair accessible. Scroll down for further access and safeguarding information.

Date: Tuesday 16th June 2026
Location: The Orchard, 20 Clouds Hill Rd, Bristol BS5 7LA 
Time: 7:00pm doors | 7:30pm - 9:30pm show (including interval)
Price: PWYC £6 / £8 / £10 (£5 concessions)

OPEN MIC:

This will be an opportunity to try out new material in a safe, warm environment.

There are 14 open mic spaces. These will become available at 10am on Sunday 25th May via the following link: http://linktree.com/rtbspokenword

10 performers will be selected in advance from this form. The remaining 4 spots will be drawn on the night from a hat, which will include names from walk-ups and anyone who signed up here but wasn’t selected in advance. 

A number of open mic spaces are reserved for writers from the global majority, marginalised genders and sexualities, non-male writers, and writers in outlying areas of Bristol or the South West.

FEATURE ACTS

FARAH CHAMMA

Farah Chamma is a Palestinian poet and performer. She is known for her vibrant and unique spoken-word performances, in which she combines orality, acting, and live music. Her words are fiercely political, but also laced with heart and a love for humanity. One half of musical duo chamaeleon, she’s participated in many different events and festivals around the world including France, Germany, Jordan, Portugal, Mexico and Holland. She holds a master’s degree in Performance and Culture from Goldsmiths, University of London and a BA in Philosophy and Sociology from the Sorbonne in Paris. She is currently an actress in training at Sharjah Performing Arts Academy. 

PETE THE TEMP

Pete is a poet, singer, comedian and guru of trees and potatoes. His mission is to incite carnival, wonder and riotous love. Pete has been featured on national and international television and radio. He is a former national poetry slam champion and has performed and taught in over fifteen countries with organisations that include The British Council.

His live show combines poetry with human-beatbox, stand up poetry and experimental sound poetry. Solo shows often incorporate loop machines and FX machinery or come in the form of multimedia performance lectures. This year he is touring his now book: Enchant: Field Notes for the Garden of Wow.

RAISE THE BAR

The South West's leading live poetry night, running blockbuster spoken word events in Bristol and beyond since 2014.

‘From top to bottom, one of my all time favourite shows’ – Shane Koyczan

'One of the best poetry nights in the country' – Rafeef Ziadah

'Out-loud reactions are encouraged…shaking off traditional theatre etiquette' – Bristol 24/7

ACCESSIBILITY / SAFEGUARDING

Our events aim to be as safe, inclusive, accessible and welcoming as possible.

The venue has a wheelchair accessible entrance ‘via Cherry Orchard Lane’ for events at The Orchard and accessible toilets.

If you have any particular access requirements or concerns, please email [email protected] in advance.

The event may include photography and videography.

SEATING / TIMINGS

Doors open at 7:00pm, and the bar will be open with a selection of drinks (alcoholic + non-alcoholic), cocktails and bar snacks.

The show begins at 7:30pm, so please arrive and be seated promptly. The event includes a 15 minute interval. We aim to finish at 9:30pm.

Please note, there is limited seating at The Orchard. Some attendees may need to sit on the steps, in the balcony area, or in a seat with restricted viewing, so please arrive promptly if you'd like to sit at a table / downstairs.

CONTENT WARNING

Poetry events include performers sharing personal accounts which you may relate to in some way. This may include content that is potentially upsetting or triggering. We provide a general content warning at the beginning of each event, and poets may choose to provide one for their own poem if necessary. Attendees are welcome to leave the venue at any time and return when they feel comfortable, but please try to do this before/after a poem.

SAFE SPACE

Raise the Bar has a zero tolerance policy towards hate, discrimination and abuse of any kind. Our staff team will work together to ensure the space is respectful and welcoming at all times. The open mic rules include 'no punching down' and 'no nudity', and a content warning will be provided at the start of the event.

Entry requirements: 16+, any under 18s accompanied by 21+ adult 1:1 ratio — Read more — Read less