The Poetry Cafe

The Poetry Cafe is a friendly cafe/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 cafe/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' this is 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.