Spoken word events in London

London has a strong record of spoken word events. Increasingly, there are more opportunities to perform with artists establishing their own shows. Due to the passion and commitment of artists and promoters, we now have spoken word in venues such as The Soho Theatre, Rich Mix and BAC. Below are opportunities to perform and see both established and emerging artists;

Jawdance – Popular open mic night with guest artist slots and poetry film shorts.
When: Monthly every third Wednesday
Time: 7.30pm
Where: Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Cost: Free
Booking: Open mic contact russell@applesandsnakes.org, for poetry films email nina@applesandsnakes.org

Tongue Fu –Improv jazz, spoken word, cabaret night hosted by Ventriloquist.
When: Monthly
Time: 8pm
Where: Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Cost: £7, £5 concs
Booking: 020 7613 7498

Farrago Poetry Slam – Monthly poetry slams and open mic.
When: Monthly
Time: 7.30pm
Where: RADA foyer bar, Malet Street, London WC1
Cost: £6 / £5
Booking: farragopoetry@yahoo.co.uk / 07905 078376

OneTaste – Music, spoken word events, workshops and festivals.
When: Monthly
Time: varies
Where: The Bedford Arms, 77 Bedford Hill, SW12 9HD
Cost: Varies, from £6
Booking: info@onetaste.co.uk

Bookslam – Literary nightclub hosted by Patrick Neate.
When: Last Thursday of every month
Time: 7.30pm
Where: The Tabernacle, Powis Square, London W11 2AY
Cost: £8 advance/ £10 door
Booking: info@bookslam.com

Bookclub Boutique – Literary salon featuring poets, writers and musicians. Hosted by Selena Godden, produce events and tours.
When: Varies
Time: 3pm till late
Where: Blacks, 67 Dean Street, W1D 4QH
Cost: Free entry
Booking: salenagodden@btinternet.com

Utter – Spoken word, poetry, comedy, workshops, festivals.
When: Monthly
Time: 7.30pm
Where: Green Note, 106 Camden Parkway, Camden NW1 7AN
Cost: £5
Booking: N/A

Touch Me I’m Sick – Free Music and poetry night.
When: Monthly
Time: 8pm
Where: The Old Crown, 33 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1HD
Cost: Free
Booking: N/A

Jazz Verse Jukebox – Open mic and featured guest slots.
When: Second Sunday of every month
Time: 7.30pm
Where: Ronnie Scott’s Club, 47 Frith Street, London W1D 4H7
Cost: £7
Booking: 0207 439 0747

Bang Said the Gun – Skewed stand up poetry/ comedy.
When: Weekly, every Thursday
Time: 8pm
Where: The Roebuck, 50 Great Dover Street, London SE1
Cost: £5
Booking: info@bangsaidthegun.com

Express Excess – Bi Weekly poetry, comedy and storytelling night, hosted by Paul Lyalls.
When: Bi Weekly
Time: 8.30pm
Where: The Enterprise, 2 Haverstock Hill, NW3 2BL
Cost: £5
Booking: 0207 485 2659

The Albany – Performing arts centre that programmes theatre, spoken word and comedy.
When: Varies
Time: Varies
Where: Douglas Way, Deptford, London SE8 4AG
Cost: Varies
Booking: 020 8692 4446

The Southbank Centre – Strong literature and spoken word programme, usually established artists.
When: Varies see programme
Time: Varies
Where: Belvedere Road, SE1, 8XX
Cost: Varies
Booking: 0207 960 4200

The Roundhouse – Poetry workshops, events. Usually work with a core group of emerging young writers.
When: January onwards
Time: Varies
Where: Chalk Farm Road, London
Cost: Varies
Booking: 0844 482 8008

Renaissance One – Events, spoken word and literature tours.
When: See website
Time: varies
Where: Southbank Centre,
Cost: £5
Booking: 0207 272 8386

Tilt – Sister company to Renaissance One, spoken word events incorporating music and visual expression.
When: See website
Time: Varies
Where: King’s Place / Southbank Centre
Cost: £9.50 / £11.50
Booking: 0207 272 8386
    
The Poetry Cafe – Regular readings most evenings except Sunday.
When: Weekly
Time: 7.30pm
Where: 22 Betterton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9BX
Cost:  £5 / £3
Booking: 0207 420 9887

Loose Muse – Monthly event for women writers hosted by Agness Meadows.
When: 2nd Wednesday of every month
Time: 7.30pm
Where: The Poetry Cafe
Cost: £5 / £3
Booking: 0207 420 9887

Poejazzi – Spoken word and music night.
When: Regularly see Mypsace /Facebook for details
Time: 8pm
Where: Southbank Centre, Fabric, Proud Galleries
Cost: £8
Booking: See Myspace / facebook for details

Rum Punch – Spoken word night hosted by Saran Green and Comfort Cydelle.
When: Monthly
Time: 6:30pm
Where: Rudy’s Revenge, 168 High Holborn, London WC1V 7AA
Cost: £6 / £5
Booking: See facebook page

Speechmotion – Art, literature, spoken word, live art performance.
When: Every last Tuesday of the month
Time: 7:30pm
Where: The Horse and Groom, Curtain Road, Shoreditch
Cost: £5/ £4
Booking: 0207 503 9421

Kid I wrote Back - Open mic.
When: Monthly
Time: 7pm
Where: Bar Kick, 127 Shoreditch High Street
Cost: £3
Booking: Pay on the door

Bingo Master’s Breakout – Karaoke / poetry night.
When: Monthly
Time: 7:30pm
Where: St Aloysius Social Club, 21 Phoenix Road, London NW1 ITA
Cost: Free
Booking: N/A

Chill Pill – Music and spoken word night hosted by Ray Antrobus, Mister Gee, Deanna Rodgers and Simon Mole.    
When: Monthly
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Soho Theatre, 21 Dean Street, London W1D 3NE
Cost: £5
Booking: 020 7478 0100

Come Rhyme with Me – Poetry evening presented as a dining experience with a set menu of performers.
When: The last Friday of each month
Time: 6:30pm
Where: Cottons Caribbean Restaurant, 70 Exmouth Market, London EC1
Cost: £5 admission, £10 with food
Booking: Pay on the door

Coffee House Poetry – Poetry readings.
When: Fortnightly, Mondays
Time: 8pm
Where: Troubadour Coffee House, 263 – 267 Old Brompton Road, London SW5
Cost: £7 / £6
Booking: info@coffeehousepoetry.org

Torriano Poets – Poetry readings.
When: Weekly on Sundays
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Torriano Meeting House, 99 Torrianao Avenue, London NW5 2RX
Cost: £5 / £3
Booking: 0207 267 2751

Y Tuesday Poetry Club – Open mic spot, poetry and music.
When: Every first and third Tuesday
Time: 8pm
Where: Three Kings Pub, Clerkenwell Close, London EC1
Cost: Free
Booking: N/A

Needle and Thread – Acoustic and open mic.
When: Every Tuesday
Time: 8pm
Where: The Half Moon, 10 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill, London SE24 8HU
Cost: Free
Booking: 020 7274 2733

Word 4 Word – Hosted by Kat Francois, open mic slots available.
When: Monthly
Time: 8pm
Where: Theatre Royal Bar, Theatre Royal Stratford East,
Cost: Free
Booking: 07961 313 557