Friendly café/bar/restaurant with live poetry performances.
Quaff coffee in the company of artists, lyricists, poets and performers as the delicate strains of sonnets and similes, quatrains and couplets, ballads and blank verses float through the air. Hidden away on an unassuming Covent Garden side street, this cosy hideaway offers customers a gentle introduction to poetry combined with a tasty, warming afternoon tea. Toast, cakes and a selection of leaf and herbal infusions can be munched on in a delightful atmosphere of unassuming creativity. Managed by the Poetry Society, this café/bar/restaurant also doubles up as a performance space with a varied programme that includes the odd floor-spot - so if you’re feeling inspired by your cup of Darjeeling to pen an ode to ‘Tea’ here’s the place to recite it. On Saturday evenings they hold a regular event in the Cellar highlighting the best in poetry and performance so why not follow-up afternoon tea with some of their excellent vegetarian food and then an hour or so discovering the best new and existing talent on the scene. A warm and welcoming, funky and friendly environment this isn’t one of those exclusive, high-brow joints. You don’t need to be a poet or even a liker of poetry to appreciate its charm - come and read the paper, contemplate life or simply sit back and sup - but here’s betting you’ll be writing sonnets before the teapot’s dry.
Best for:
Cosy hideaway, poetry, papers and performances, tea and toast.
Did you know?
A hymn written between 658 and 680 dedicated to the Creation is said to be the earliest known English poem.
Poetry Cafe | Poetry Library
You don’t have to spend a fortune lavishing your loved one with expensive gifts on Valentine’s Day, sometimes the simple things are... More
Downstairs,
Thomas Neal’s Centre,35 Earlham Street,Covent Garden,
London,
WC2HMap
3 minutes walk from Poetry Cafe
Two London addresses, both ideal for a break from frantic shopping. Escape the hustle and bustle of Portobello Road, or the sea of fashion outlets ... More
Fresh fish, fat hand-cut chips and some fantastic home-made samosas for the more adventurous diner make this the best traditional chippie in the West End ... More
Ornate, opera-themed Turkish restaurant with singing waiters and unique opera-box style seating.
One of Theatreland’s favourite restaurants, Sarastro must also rank highly as one of ... More
Well-equipped, comfortable rooms await guests to this elegantly modern hotel in the heart of Theatreland. Set yourself up for the day with a hearty breakfast ... More
The brilliant Donmar Warehouse is delving into the 17th century to breathe new life into this classic, poetic work by Spanish playwright Pedro Calderon de ...More
Elms Lesters Painting Rooms are housed in an extraordinary space, purpose built as a painting studio in 1904. Since 1984 the gallery has been specialising ...More
Combining art with humour, this addition to London's museum-cum-gallery scene is refreshingly vibrant. From political cartoons of Thatcher, Brown, Bush and Blair to rare originals ... More
Urban Retreat and Chakra Rooms 174 High Holborn,Covent Garden,
London,
WC1VMap
2 minutes walk from Poetry Cafe
Environmentally conscious hair and make-up brand with 'lifestyle' stores like this one in High Holborn - where there's even a herb garden on the roof ... More
Every summer, the London streets are ablaze with a rich array of sandals and flip-flops. Clumpy, frumpy and built for comfort, Birckenstock footwear has become ... More
English [Out There!] takes a very hands-on approach to learning English. The course places an emphasis on using what you have learned. Students are taken ... More
Before it was a hip private members' club designed specifically for the creative industries - complete with bar and dining rooms, cinema, TV and recording ... More
This day spa exclusively for women is a total pampering experience from the minute you step through the door. Located in bustling Covent Garden you'll ... More
Overlooking Covent Garden Piazza, the Cove is a world away from the crowds outside. Tucked up in a worn, leather armchair under the pub’s low, ... More
This
was once a sleazy Soho strip club, as the name suggests, and it really
shows. Deep reds are the dominant colour, with mirrors, booths and
velvet curtains ... More
Before it was a swanky private members' club - complete with bar and dining rooms, cinema, TV and recording studios - The Hospital was exactly ... More
Get the FREE monthly guide to London entertainment, arts, concerts, sport, book signings, and essential event information delivered directly to your inbox.
LondonTown.com has special discounts every week. The amount of discount will vary depending on the dates you are coming and how far in advance you book. All discounts are subject to availability.
Show favourites only
Report a bug, make a suggestion or just tell us your thoughts.
Friendly café/bar/restaurant with live poetry performances.
![English [Out There!]](/lycos/assets/MN089802_85x142.jpg "English [Out There!]")
