The Best Open Mic Nights for Poetry Reading in Manchester

Spoken word and poetry is not for everyone, but you cannot deny a rise in the interest in this performance art, with poetry slams and open mic nights becoming more and more popular.

By Manchester's Finest | 27 April 2018

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This Saturday – the 28th April – marks the National Great Poetry Reading Day and it’s time to get that poetry book off your bookshelf (or off your floor as you use it as a doorstop) and getting poetic.

Manchester is becoming known for some of its very own young spoken word artists, and now it’s your chance to have a go! With lots of bars and pubs hosting different open mic nights and poetry slams, you have no excuse not to!

Here is our list of some of the best poetry open mic nights coming up this week for you to have a go at;

Monday

Tusk
There’s a free drink for anyone that performs at Tusk during their Monday Open Mic night, so there’s no excuse not to! There’s also drinks deals all night, including 2 beers for £5, a bottle of prosecco for £15 and a bottle of wine for a tenner.

Tusk, 88 High St, Manchester M4 1ES
http://tuskmanchester.com/open-mic-night/

Tuesday

Thirsty Scholar
It’s free, so get down there for 7pm to sign up for this legendary Open Mic evening. They typically end the evening with a booked bit of live music, so have a few drinks, get up, read a poem, then relax and listen to the band. Starts at 7pm.

The Thirsty Scholar, 50 New Wakefield Street, Manchester, M1 5NP
http://www.thirstyscholar.co.uk

Wednesday

The Fitzgerald
Join The Fitzgerald every Wednesday for their Open Mic Night. Perfect for aspiring musicians, poets or comedians, we’re all about the poetry here so get yourself up on stage and get reading. They offer a load of drinks deals on the night including 2 bottles of beer for £6, 2 cocktails for £10 and 2 gins for £6.

The Fitzgerald, 11 Stevenson Square, Manchester M1 1DB
http://thefitzgerald.co.uk/events/open-mic-night/

Thursday

Open Door – Open Mic at Nook NC
Nook Neighbourhood Coffee open their doors to a weekly open mic night every Thursday and is perfect for poetry and spoken word sessions. All you’ve got to do is email them beforehand and they’ll get you on the next available roster. It starts at 7.30pm and usually gets pretty busy so get there early.

Nook NC, 111 Heaton Moor Rd, Heaton Moor, Stockport, SK4 4HY
www.nooknc.co.uk/

Friday

Semitone Studios
Semitone Studios is a combination coffee shop, music studio, and live music venue – with room for anyone who wants to be creative. Free to enter!
9 pm – 10:30 pm

Semitone Studios, 130 Stockport Road, Marple, SK6 6DQ
http://semitonestudios.com/

Sunday

The Waldorf
Hosted by The Northern Rambler. There’s a free drink for every performer, and it’s free to enter! You could even win £20, as every performer placed in the prize draw for the prize pot, which announced at the end of the night.
7 pm – 10:30 pm

The Waldorf, 12 Gore St, Manchester, Manchester City Centre, M13AQ
https://www.waldorfmanchester.co.uk