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Spoken word events in Scotland
Spoken word events and open mic nights are a brilliant way of getting your writing out there and meeting other writers.
This list is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but if you find an inaccuracy on it please let us know. If your event isn’t listed here and you’d like it to be please email eilidh.akilade@scottishbooktrust.com(this link will open in a new window).
While some of these events are open to people under 18 years old, poetry nights regularly deal with adult subject matter and language. Some nights make audiences aware of potentially disturbing material, whereas others do not. If you are interested in performing at a spoken word event we would strongly recommend going to it first.
In terms of accessibility, we have sought to find out if the events have the following:
- Step Free Access (with detail where possible)
- Accessible Toilet
- Disabled Parking
- Carer Ticket
- Hearing Loop
- BSL
- Quiet Room Available
- PA System and Microphone
If these are not listed, then either they are not provided or we are unaware of their provision. Some nights have no fixed venue, and so their accessibility varies as a result. Please contact event organisers with any specific queries.
Events are listed alphabetically by council area.
Aberdeen
Poetry Aberdeen
Format: Open mic, sign up on the night
Host(s): Bernard Briggs, Judith Taylor
Venue: Books and Beans, 22 Belmont Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JH
Frequency: Last Thursday of every month
Time: 7-10pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Event on first floor, please email for more information
Website: http://www.booksandbeans.co.uk/
Speakin Weird
Format: Open mic poetry, comedy, prose, stories. Sign up on the night.
Host(s): Orla Kelly
Venue: Spin, 10 Littlejohn St, Aberdeen AB10 1FG
Frequency: Second Wednesday of every month
Start Time: 7.30-10.30pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: £2 (£1 concession)
Accessibility: Step free access, accessible toilets, PA & microphone
Women's Open Mic
Format: Open mic music, comedy, poetry, prose for women and non-binary people. Sign up via email or on the night.
Host(s): Rebecca Dunn
Venue: Aberdeen Multicultural Centre, 84 Spring Garden, Aberdeen, AB25 1GN
Frequency: Second Monday of the month, every two months.
Time: 6.30-9.30pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Step free access and accessible toilet
Website: https://www.facebook.com/WOMAberdeen/
Email: r.dunn@abmc.org.uk
Dumfries and Galloway
Brave New Words
Format: Open mic for writers, film makers, musicians and performance artists. Sign up on the night.
Host(s): Martin O'Neill, Brendan Breslin
Venue: The Stove, 100 High Street, Dumfries, DG1 2BN
Frequency: Last Friday of the month.
Time: 7-9pm
U18s allowed: Yes (U16s must come with someone 18+)
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Accessible toilets, PA & microphone
A Night of Spoken Word with Lockerbie Writers
Format: Open mic for poetry, prose and storytelling
Host(s): Lockerbie Writers/A Novel Approach writing groups
Venue: King’s Arms Hotel, 29 High Street, Lockerbie, DG11 2JL
Frequency: Biannual (check website for details)
Time: 7.30-9.30pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Step Free Access, Accessible Toilet, Disabled Parking.
Spoken Word - Wigtown
Format: Open mic
Venue: Craft Hotel, 30 South Main Street, Wigtown, DG8 9HG
Frequency: Last Thursday of the month
Start Time: 7pm
Dundee
Hotchpotch
Format: Open mic fiction and poetry. Sign up on the night for 5-7 minute slots
Host(s): Gavin Cruickshank
Venue: The Hunter S Thompson, 144 Perth Road, Dundee, DD1 4JW
Frequency: Monthly, Monday nights
Start Time: 6.30pm for 7pm start
End Time: 10pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: PA and microphone
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Hotchpotch/
East Lothian
Musselburgh Hotpot
Format: Open mic music, prose, poetry and storytelling. Sign up on the night for 5 minute slots
Host: Stephen Barnaby
Venue: Staggs Bar, 81 North High Street, Musselburgh EH21 6JE
Frequency: First Sunday of the month
Time: 7.30-10.30pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Step free access (side door)
Vibrant Musselburgh Arts Cafe
Format: Open mic music, prose, poetry and storytelling. Sign up on the day for 5 minute slots
Venue: Fisherrow Centre, South Street, Musselburgh EH21 6AT
Frequency: Last Sunday of every month
Time: 2-5pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Step free access (permanent access ramp), accessible toilets.
Edinburgh
The Alcove
Format: Open mic with headliner. Music and spoken word.
Venue: Teviot Row House Loung Bar, 13 Bristo Place, Edinburgh EH8 9AJ
Frequency: Monthly during term time, on a Friday
Time: 7.30pm
Cost: None
Accessibility: Quiet room available, PA system and microphone.
Anatomy
Format: Different art forms, including spoken word. Performers are booked by application - check latest call outs for details
Host(s): Josephine Giles, Ali Maloney
Venue: Summerhall, 1 Summerhall, Edinburgh, EH9 1PL
Frequency: Quarterly, on a Friday
Time: 8-11pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: £7
Accessibility: Step free access, accessible toilet, disabled parking, carer ticket, hearing loop, BSL, quiet room available, PA system and microphone. More information available
Website: http://anatomyarts.co.uk
Email: hello@anatomyarts.co.uk
Easy Monday's Open Stage
Format: Open mic music, spoken word, comedy and magic. Sign up on the night from 8pm for slots of up to 15 minutes
Venue: Henry's Cellar Bar, 16A Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8BJ
Frequency: Every Monday
Time: 9pm-3am
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Basement venue with PA system & microphone
Edinburgh Storynight
Format: Storytelling open mic. Theme driven - 10 minute slots by email
Host: Sabrina Nordlund and Sophia Hembeck
Venue: Typewronger Books, 4a Haddington Place, Edinburgh, EH7 4AE
Frequency: Every third Sunday
Time: 7pm - 9pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
From the Horse's Mouth
Format: Open mic poetry. Sign up by email for 5 minute slots
Host: Jacqueline Whymark
Venue: The Royal Dick Bar, 1 Summerhall Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1PL
Frequency: Middle Wednesday of every month
Start Time: 8.30-11pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Step free access (via side entrance, ramp at rear of bar venue), disabled toilets in bar. PA and microphone used. Further information available
Website: https://www.fthorsesmouth.com/
Email: the.art.of.jw@mail.com
Hame-ish
Format: Booked performers
Host: Mairi-Claire Traynor & Ed Ritchie
Venue: Waterstones, 128 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4AD
Frequency: Irregular, Saturdays
Start Time: 6.30-8.30pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: £10 on door, £8 advance/2 for £12
Accessibility: Step free access, Accessible Toilet, Carer Ticket (email for details), PA System and Microphone
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Yerhame.ish
Email: yerhame.ish@gmail.com
The Heretics
Format: Literature (all genres), music, song. Sign up on the night - small number of open mic slots.
Venue: Waverley Bar, 3-5 St Mary's Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TA
Frequency: Last Saturday of each month
Start Time: 7.30-10pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Event takes place upstairs
I Am Loud
Format: Booked performers, spoken word.
Host(s): Kevin Mclean
Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR
Frequency: Monthly on a Friday
Time: 7.30-10pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: £8/£6 concessions
Accessibility: Step free access, Accessible Toilets, Hearing Loop, PA & Microphone. More information available
Website: https://www.iamloud.co/
Email: hello@iamloud.co
Life's Too Short
Format: Open Mic, Networking Event - Sign up via website
Host(s): Rose Fraser Ritchie
Venue: Traverse Theatre Basement Café, 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2ED
Frequency: Second Wednesday of every month.
Time: 7.20-9.30pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Step free access, accessible toilets. More information available
Poetry Circus
Format: Booked performers. See website for upcoming shows.
Host(s): Max Scratchman
Website: https://www.facebook.com/poetrycircusevents/
Email: max@poetrycircus.co.uk
Shoreline of Infinity's Event Horizon
Format: Booked performers
Host(s): Russell Jones
Venue: Frankenstein, 26 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EN
Frequency: Second Thursday of the month
Time: 7.30-10.30pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: PA system and microphone. Events occasionally live video streamed.
Website: www.shorelineofinfinity.com
Typewronger Open Mic
Format: Open Mic - Sign up on the night from 7pm - Music, prose, poetry, storytelling, comedy
Venue: Typewronger Books, 4a Haddington Place, Edinburgh, EH7 4AE
Frequency: Monthly
Time: 7.30-9pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.typewronger.com/
Email: tom@typewronger.com
Lost in Leith presents: Spoken Word & Music
Format: A curated event of 3 features & 3 floor spots of Spoken Word (prose & poetry) & Music
Hosts: Anita Govan & Gloria Black
Venue: Lost in Leith bar - 82 Commercial St, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6LX
Frequency: 3rd Sunday of every Month
Time: 4.30pm-7.30pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: Free with suggested donation of £5 (optional)
Accessibility: Step free, PA & Microphone, Parking & Bus Stops near
Email: Anita at livinginasunbeam@gmail.com; Gloria at music@lostinleith.com
Find out more about Lost in Leith presents: Spoken Word & Music
Falkirk
Wooer with Words
Format: Open mic
Host(s): Craig Allan
Venue: The Scotia, 51 Manor Street, Falkirk, FK1 1NH
Frequency: First Saturday of every month
Time: 2.30-5pm
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Upstairs venue
Words with Seagulls
Literary & musical open mic night.
Venue: Seagull Trust Bookshop, Falkirk High Street
Frequency: second Wednesday of every month
Time: 7pm-9pm
Fife
Fife Writes
Format: Open Mic, sign up at the event, open to all, & free
Frequency: Monthly (alternates in-person/Zoom)
Website: http://www.fifewrites.org.uk/
Email: fife.writes@gmail.com
Inklight
Format: Open mic. Sign up on the night
Venue: Aikmans, 32 Bell Street, St Andrews, KY16 9UX (Occasional events in Students Union)
Frequency: Monthly, Mondays
Time: 8-11pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: Free
Website: https://www.facebook.com/inklightsoc/
Email: inklight@st-andrews.ac.uk
Words Open Mic
Format: Open mic (Poetry, prose, comedy, theatre), sign up in advance by Facebook message
Host(s): Bee Parkinson-Cameron
Venue: Kings Live Lounge, 9 Esplanade, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1HR
Frequency: Weekly, Tuesdays
Time: 7-9pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
Glasgow
Aloud
Format: Open Mic – sign up via Facebook message
Venue: Glasgow QMU, 22 University Gardens, Glasgow, G12 8QN
Frequency: Third Monday of every month
Time: 7.30-10.30pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Wheelchair ramp and lifts. Stage is not accessible but microphone can be moved. More information available
Website: https://www.facebook.com/QMUaloud/
Better Crack Club
Format: Open mic storytelling. Sign up on the night
Venue: Tchai-Ovna, 42 Otago Lane, Glasgow, G12 8PB
Frequency: Third Friday of every month
Time: 8-10pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Cluster**** Circus
Format: Poetry and comedy. Booked performers
Venue: Nice N Sleazy, 421 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3LG
Frequency: Monthly.
Time: 7.30-11pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: £5
Accessibility: PA and Microphone.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Oliver-Pissed-Poetic-Comedy-1553500631447748/
Express Yourself
Frequency: Last Friday of every month
Time: 7-10pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
Accessibility: Wheelchair and pushchair friendly with ramp access at the front of the building and a lift via the Fleming House main entrance. Accessible toilets with changing facilities. More information available
Extra Second
Format: Open mic spoken word, comedy, music and discussion. Sign up by email
Host(s): Johnny Cypher
Venue: Steak and Cherry, 516 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3LW
Frequency: Third Thursday of every month
Time: 7-10pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Glasgow Literary Lounge
Format: Booked Performers – sign up via email for 5-7 open mic minute slots
Host(s): Jim Ferguson, Louise Malone, Brian McFall, Ruby McCann
Venue: Calton Bar, 415 London Road, Glasgow, G40 1AG
Frequency: Fourth Tuesday of every month
Time: 7-10pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Step free access, PA system and microphone
Website: https://www.facebook.com/CheekyBesom/
Email: mccannruby@gmail.com
Inn Deep
Format: Booked performers. Sign up via Facebook message for ten minute slots
Host(s): Sam Small, Jack McMillan
Venue: Inn Deep, 445 Great Western Road, Glasgow, G12 8HH
Frequency: Second, third and fourth Tuesday of every month
Time: 7-10pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Last Monday at the Panopticon
Format: Open mic spoken word. Sign up via Facebook group for five minute open mic slots
Host(s): Robin Cairns
Venue: Brittania Panopticon, 113 – 117 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HD
Frequency: Last Monday of the month
Time: 7.30-9pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: Free
Accessibility: PA system & microphone.
Live Poets Society
Format: Sign up via Facebook message
Venue: Strathclyde Students' Union, 90 John Street, Glasgow, G1 1JH
Frequency: Society runs events on second and fourth Wednesday of every month during term time
Start Time: 6.30-9pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Venue is accessible from street with lifts to all floors, plus accessible toilets
More Than Words
Format: Open Mic (8-10 minute slots). Sign up in advance via Facebook or email.
Host: Imogen Stirling
Venue: The Flying Duck, 142 Renfield St, Glasgow G2 3AU
Frequency: Third Monday of every month.
Start Time: 8.30-10.30pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: PA & Microphone
Poetry Circus
Format: Booked performers - music, prose, poetry, storytelling. See website for upcoming shows.
Host(s): Max Scratchman
Venue: Various
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thepoetrycircus
Email: max@poetrycircus.co.uk
The Project Cafe Open Mic
Format: Sign up on the night.
Venue: The Project Cafe, 134 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G3 6ST
Frequency: First Friday of every month.
Start Time: 6.30-10pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Step free access, accessible toilets.
Seeds of Thought
Format: Open mic spoken word and music. Sign up on the night or via Facebook event
Host(s): Tawona Sithole, Ernest Sithole, Tarneem Al Mousawi Sithole
Venue: Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3JD
Frequency: Monthly
Time: 8pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Non-automatic doors at street level, lifts to all floors, accessible toilets. More information available
Sonnet Youth
Format: Booked performers. Poetry, prose, spoken word, comedy, music.
Host(s): Kevin P. Gilday, Cat Hepburn
Venue: The Old Hairdressers, 20 - 28 Renfield Lane, Glasgow, G2 5AR
Frequency: Third Friday of the month
Time: 7.30-10.30pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: £5
Accessibility: PA System & Microphone
Website: https://www.facebook.com/sonnetyouth/
Email: sonnetyouth@gmail.com
Sonnet Youth - Scratch!
Format: Open mic, booked performers.
Host(s): Kevin P. Gilday, Cat Hepburn
Venue: Phillies of Shawlands, 1179 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, G41 3NH
Frequency: Second Thursday of the month
Time: 8-11pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Accessible venue, Accessible toilets. Stage is not accessible but microphone can be moved.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/sonnetyouth/
Email: sonnetyouth@gmail.com
Soul Food Kitchen
Format: Open mic. Sign up in advance via Facebook (Soul Food Poetry) or by email
Host(s): Imogen Stirling
Venue: Soul Food Kitchen, 973 Sauchiehall St, Glasgow, G3 7TQ
Frequency: Second Wednesday of the month
Time: 7.30-9.30pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Accessible toilet, PA system and microphone
Website: www.soulfoodkitchen.co.uk
St Mungo's Mirrorball
Format: Booked performers
Host(s): Jim Carruth
Venue: Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JD
Frequency: Usually Thursday evenings (check website for dates)
Time: 7-9pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: £7/£4/Free entry for members
Accessibility: Step free access, non-automatic doors at street level, lifts to all floors. Accessible toilet, PA system & microphone. More information available
Website: https://stmungosmirrorball.wordpress.com/
Email: jimcarruth63@gmail.com
Words and Music
Format: Open mic. Sign up on the night for 5 minute slots
Host(s): Gayle Smith, Jen Hughes
Venue: Milk Cafe, 452 Victoria Road, Glasgow, G42 8YU
Frequency: First Monday of every month
Time: 7-9pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Suggested donation of £1
Accessibility: Accessible venue (at street level). PA system & microphone when available.
Seahorse Muse
Format: Open mic (music an readings). Sign up in advance by email.
Host(s): Linda Jackson
Venue: Avant Garde, 34, King Street, Glasgow, G1 5QT
Frequency: Last Monday of the Month.
Time: 7pm
Email: seahorsepublisher@gmail.com
Highlands
Bastard Wordiness
Format: Open mic. Sign up on the night for 7 minute open mic slots
Venue: Tooth and Claw Bar, 50 Baron Taylor's Street, Inverness, IV1 1QG
Frequency: Second Tuesday of every month
Time: 6-9pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
Accessibility: PA and Microphone
Highland LIT
Format: Open mic. Sign up on the night.
Venue: Glen Mhor Hotel, 7-17 Ness Bank, Inverness IV2 4SG.
Frequency: Quarterly; first Tuesday in March, June, September and December.
Time: 6.30-8.30pm
U18s allowed: Over 16s allowed.
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Step Free Access (ramp), Accessible toilet, PA and Microphone.
Website: https://www.highlandlit.com/
Spoken Word @ Velocity
Format: Open mic. Sign up on the night for 5 minute open mic slots
Venue: Velocity Cafe and Bicycle Workshop, 1 Crown Avenue, Inverness, IV2 3NF
Frequency: First Thursday of every month
Time: 6.30-9pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: Free
Website: http://velocitylove.co.uk/
Perth and Kinross
Blend In, Stand Out
Host(s): Rana Marathon, Craig Lithgow
Venue: Little Bird Cafe, 213 High Street, Perth, PH1 5PB
Frequency: Monthly, Fridays
Time: 6.30pm onwards
U18s allowed: No
Cost: £5
Renfrewshire
Nights of the Round Table
Format: Open mic. Sign up on the night for 5 minute slots
Host(s): Kay Metcalfe
Venue: Bianco Nero Coffee, 27 Gauze Street, Paisley, PA1 1ES
Frequency: First Tuesday of every month
Time: 7-9pm
U18s allowed: Yes
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Step free access, accessible toilets
Scottish Borders
Borders Writers' Forum
Format: Open mic. Sign up by email for 5 minute slots
Venue: Various
Frequency: Quarterly.
Cost: Free
Website: https://borderswritersforumorguk.wordpress.com/bwf-open-mic/
Email: hayleyemberey@gmail.com
Stirling
Sonnet Youth
Format: Booked Performers
Host(s): Kevin P. Gilday, Cat Hepburn
Venue: The Hub, 44 King Street, Stirling, FK8 1AY
Frequency: Third Thursday of the month
Time: 7.30-10.30pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: £5
Accessibility: PA system and microphone.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/sonnetyouth/
Email: sonnetyouth@gmail.com
The Write Angle
Format: Open mic. Sign up on the night for 5 minute slots
Venue: Various
Frequency: Irregular
Cost: Free (donations welcome)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/writeanglefv/
Email: thewriteangle@gmail.com
West Dunbartonshire
Balloch Open Mic
Format: Open mic. Sign up on the night for 5 minute slots
Host(s): Mary Irvine, George Gibson, Ann MacKinnon
Venue: Balloch House Hotel, Balloch Road, Balloch, Alexandria G83 8LQ
Frequency: First Monday of the month.
Time: 7-9pm
U18s allowed: No
Cost: Free
Accessibility: Step Free Access, Accessible Toilets
West Lothian
Saltire Open Mic
Format: Open mic. 10 minute slots.
Host(s): Chris Young
Venue: The Saltire, Carmondean Centre, Livingston EH54 8PT
Frequency: Last Thursday of the month.
Time: 8-11pm
Cost: Free