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Poetry Cafe

Current

22 Betterton Street
Covent Garden
London, WC2H 9BX
Nearest Transport: Covent Garden
020 7240 4810
Went once with an American blogging friend of mine who bravely did the open mike slot.

Compare had a great rapport with the audience and although there were clearly a number of old faces and regulars there, newbies like myself felt very welcome.

Seems to be bad form to read your poem and then just clear off - a form I heartening agree with.

Will definitely go back

Reviews for Poetry Cafe

  • 4
    Poetry Cafe
    22 Betterton Street Covent Garden London WC2H 9BX uk
    3rd June 2007
    Current
    Went once with an American blogging friend of mine who bravely did the open mike slot.

    Compare had a great rapport with the audience and although there were clearly a number of old faces and regulars there, newbies like myself felt very welcome.

    Seems to be bad form to read your poem and then just clear off - a form I heartening agree with.

    Will definitely go back
  • 4
    Poetry Cafe
    22 Betterton Street Covent Garden London WC2H 9BX uk
    19th May 2007
    Current
    Been ages since I've been here, but years back I used to take part in the open mic evenings. Great place that I must get back to.
  • 5
    Poetry Cafe
    22 Betterton Street Covent Garden London WC2H 9BX uk
    18th March 2007
    90% gut wrenching, hilarious and entrancing
    Current
    Went to the Poetry Caf in Betterton Street Covent Garden this week to the African Writers Evening run by Nii Ayikwei Parkes

    The Poetry Caf is a special place. Before my first time there, I didn't expect much. Thought it would be a kind of dry and stuffy. It's only 10% dry and serious and 90% risk taking, gut wrenching, hilarious and entrancing. Ok and maybe 3% 'I want to cringe with embarrassment' (it's character building!).

    On the ground floor is a small cafe and bar where people chat before the events start. Downstairs in the basement there are a few rows of seats and some sofas and a mike and this is where it all happens. You're right up close to some of the greatest voices in London (and the world). Imagine if John Lennon was doing a private gig and you were invited. That's what it's like.

    African Writers Evening is a platform for established and emerging poets from Africa or with family or strong connections in Africa. I learnt what the word 'diaspora' meant. I like going to things where I leave a little less ignorant than I arrived. It's good to meet Ghanaian and Sierra Leonean and Nigerian writers, hear them speak and find real meaning and a connection with a continent that to me is normally far away (I don't mean only in miles).

    Another good night is the Cellar on Saturdays hosted by Niall O'Sullivan - a funny and charming presenter (charming when he's not pissed off with the audience for not clapping enough). Mixture of established and aspiring, nuts and sane.

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