Raise the Bar returns with another dynamic evening of live poetry at our new regular open mic home, The Pickle Factory! With two brilliant feature acts, Zakariye and Enzie.

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.

Thursday 17th September 2026

The Pickle Factory, Easton, All Hallows Rd, Easton, Bristol BS5 0HL, UK

7:00pm doors | 7:30pm - 9:30pm show (including interval)

PWYC £6 / £8 / £10 (£5 concessions) OPEN MIC This will be an opportunity to try out new material in a safe, warm environment hosted by Raise the Bar's team.

There are 14 open mic spaces. These will become available at 10am on Sunday 23rd August 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 ⭐

⭐ ZAKARIYE ⭐

Zakariye is a poet, playwright and filmmaker from Birmingham. His debut poetry pamphlet Pulling Faces was long listed for the Jhalak Poetry Prize and in 2022, his short poetry film ‘Cages’ was broadcast on BBC 4 and BBC iPlayer. As a Roundhouse Resident Artist, Zakariye later reimagined the short film as a stage play that had a 3 run show and was a Origins Artist with the Birmingham Hippodrome. 

⭐ ENZIE ⭐

Enzie is a multi-genre artist and spoken word poet, paying homage to her Nigerian-Welsh, working-class roots. Recently being awarded the Glenn Carmichael audience choice award at the LyraFest poetry slam 2026, you may have also have seen her perform in numerous venues across the UK. She started writing lyrics and poetic verses in early childhood as an escapism; her words introspective and reflective of the human condition, exploring all things identity, love, grief, politics, and everything inbetween. 

⭐ 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 ♿

The main hall, cafe and garden, where Raise the Bar takes place, are all accessible to wheelchair users, with an accessible toilet on the same floor.

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

The event will include photography and videography. You can speak to our photographer on the night, or a member of our team, if you do not want to be included in any publicity materials.

SEATING / TIMINGS

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

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.

⚠ 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