Celebrate World Poetry Day around New York City!
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World Poetry Day on March 21 is just around the corner, followed by National Poetry Month in April. Here are 10 ways you can celebrate poetry all week long (and even longer)!
Start the Week with an Epic Monday Night Slam
308 Bowery / Website
Sadly, on Nov. 1, 2023, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe closed its location at 236 E 3rd St. to undergo a three-year “Nuyoricanstruction” project aimed at renovating its 100-year-old building, with plans to reopen in 2026. During that time, the cafe has partnered with the Bowery Poetry Club to host a Nuyorican Poets Cafe Slam every Monday night beginning at 7 p.m. The event is hosted by Spoken Word Poet JRose and DJ Luna Rose. Sign-ups to perform are first-come, first-served, with the line starting at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online on the venue’s website or at the door.
Price: $20
Have a Cozy Tuesday Night at The Music Inn
169 W 4th St. / Website
Founded in 1958 as a record shop by Gerald Halpern, The Music Inn is one of the city’s most unique world instrument shops. The store frequently hosts live music performances for low prices, but dedicates Tuesday nights to open mic poetry; an event that was implemented after the COVID-19 pandemic. The poetry show begins at 7:30 p.m. Sign-ups to perform are first-come, first-served, with lines starting at 6 p.m. Visitors can pay $5 cash at the door to attend.
Price: $5 Cash
Sharpen Your Craft with a Brooklyn Poets’ Workshop
144 Montague St. / Website
This nonprofit organization offers guests a range of poetry programming, including workshops, readings and open mics. Both in-person and virtual events are available. The organization also runs an annual Poetry Festival featuring three days of workshops, panels, readings and more. Information about the dates and programming for the 2026 festival will be released on its website. A full events calendar detailing workshops, open mics and other programming, along with themes and prices, is also available online.
Price: Varies
Watch Live Poetry at a Classic East Village Dive
317 E Houston St. / Website
This New York City dive bar is best known for its live music events, but The Parkside Lounge also regularly hosts open mics and poetry readings. The venue occasionally features Mike Geffner’s “Inspired Word” poetry series. Check the venue’s website for a full list of upcoming events.
Price: Varies
Read, Write and Perform at Pete’s Candy Store
709 Lorimer St. / Website
Opened in 1999, Pete’s Candy Store is one of New York City’s most beloved live music venues. Over the years, it has expanded into a bar and event space hosting free programming ranging from music, comedy, and, of course, poetry. On the first Friday of every month, the venue hosts their “Dead Pete’s Society” poetry open mic beginning at 7:30 p.m., with sign-ups at 7 p.m. They also host a “Silent Writing Happy Hour” every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., where guests write together to a prompt. Visit the venue’s website for a full list of events.
Price: Free
Celebrate the Poets House’s 40th Anniversary
10 River Terrace / Website
Established in 1986, Poets House is celebrating its 40th anniversary on April 18 with a special event featuring 40 distinguished poets reading in celebration. Tickets can be purchased on their website or at the door, with a suggested donation of $10. Poets House also hosts a range of workshops and panels, both free and paid, in-person and online. The organization also features a rotating exhibit inside its building showcasing the history of poetry. Check out the organization’s website for a full calendar of events.
Price: Varies
Apply for a Fellowship at The Poetry Project
131 E 10th St. / Website
Based at St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery, this nonprofit organization has been working since 1966 to expand access to poetry and support poets in local communities. The Poetry Project hosts a wide range of readings, workshops, lectures and performances. It also offers the “Emerge-Surface-Be Fellowship” where up-and-coming New York City poets get the opportunity to work with established mentors, as well as a Lisa Brannan $1,000 prize for poetry submissions. More details on events, fellowships and prizes are available on The Poetry Project’s website.
Price: Varies
Listen to Experimental Poetry at Under St. Mark’s Theater
94 St Marks Place / Website
Since the 1970s, Under St. Mark’s Theater has hosted a range of experimental plays, performances, and poetry events. One of the venue’s most frequent poetry open mics is run by the nonprofit theater company FRIGID New York. Check the venue’s website for a full list of upcoming performances and events.
Price: Varies
Discover the Group Behind NYC’s Subway Poems
155 Diamond St. / Website
You may only recognize The Poetry Society of New York as the organization behind the poems posted throughout the subway system, but the nonprofit does much more. The organization hosts an annual New York City Poetry Festival on Governor’s Island every July, runs a five-day summer poetry camp, and produces immersive events like a Poetry Brothel. It also offers workshops, intensives, and other events throughout the year, such as their upcoming Spring Gala on April 11. A full list of events and pricing is available on their website. Fun Fact: The Poetry Society of America, along with the MTA, launched their “Poetry in Motion” project in 1992. The project has since grown to other large cities’ transit systems, including Los Angeles, Nashville, San Francisco and Providence.
Price: Varies
Celebrate National Poetry Month at The New York Public Library
476 Fifth Ave. / Website
Little did you know that The New York Public Library hosts a wide range of poetry programming, especially in April to celebrate National Poetry Month. Events include poetry circles, discussions, workshops and more. A full list of events, including dates, times and locations, is available on their website. Online registration is required for most programs.
Price: Free