Looking to unleash your inner wordsmith? From spoken word events, to open mic nights, poetry slams, and captivating storytelling evenings, find your platform to share or simply listen.
These are our favourite spoken word events in Berlin this May.
Unicorn
Fuk;s Bar plays host to a queer feminist open mic every Monday, setting the stage for poets and musicians with a piano and guitar available to use. Stop by the cosy Neukölln bar to take part in Unicorn’s signature “organised chaos”.
May event: Monday 05 (sign up 19:00, starts 19:45)
- Fuk;s Bar, Hobrechtstr. 64, Neukölln, details.
Siblinx
Siblinx is turning three, and you’re invited to the party. This FLINTA* open stage invites participants to share poetry, drag, burlesque, music, rants, shopping lists… anything goes! Sign up by DMing @sib.linx on IG, or show up before 19:15.
May event: Wednesday 07 (doors 18:00, starts 20:00)
- Tipsy Bear, Eberswalder Str. 21, Prenzlauer Berg, details.
Pleiades Poetry
The Pleiades collective returns with Masks and Veils, a night of verse that’s all about what’s hidden beneath the surface. Join the ritual and watch some up-and-coming poetic stars spin fantastical yarns.
May event: Friday 09 (doors 19:00, starts 20:00)
- Engels Cafe, Herrfurthstr. 21, Neukölln, details.
Tap Water
Grassroots literary collective Tap Water is hosting a FLINTA* readers-only edition this month. It’s a space for writers of all genres to pour out their works in progress and hear feedback in a supportive environment.
May event: Monday 12 (doors 19:30, starts 20:00)
- Keith Bar, Schillerpromenade 2, Neukölln, details.
Club Motte
At Club Motte, everyone can tell a story without the anxiety of trying to tell it well. At each edition everyone in the audience is invited to tell a true story from their life inspired by the theme. There’s no scheduled line-up, no voting and no winner. The outcome is unrehearsed, unexpected and different every time.
May event: Thursday 15 (doors 19:30, starts 20:00)
- Another Country, Riemannstr. 7, Kreuzberg, details.
Petty Slam Berlin
Bad landlords, footpath cyclists and snack-stealing housemates beware: Petty Slam is a hilariously healing way to get even. The event has been petty since its conception, as it was formed in response to the host getting evicted illegally in the middle of the pandemic. Rental woes being litigated via revenge poetry? Very Berlin.
May event: Friday 16 (doors 19:00, starts 20:00)
- Das Gift, Donaustr. 119, Neukölln, details.
Smut Slam
Smut Slam is back with more sexy storytelling. This month’s theme is ‘Use Your Words’, so bring your raunchiest romps or most blush-worthy blunders to Crack Bellmer and lay it all bare in front of a crowd of strangers. There will also be an erotica literary market so you can bring some smut home with you too.
May event: Monday 19 (doors 19:00, starts 20:00)
- Crack Bellmer, Revaler Str. 99, Friedrichshain, details.
Re(a)d Wedding
Wedding’s monthly poetry and storytelling open mic takes place in three acts, with two rounds of readings, then a prompt-based writing session open to all the audience. Perfect if you want to combat your writer’s block.
May event: Monday 26 (sign ups 19:00, starts 19:30)
- Hank Chinaski, Koloniestr. 32, Gesundbrunnen, details.
Berlin Spoken Word
A Neukölln classic, Berlin Spoken Word has been welcoming storytellers to its weekly open mic since 2015. Spoken word artists, poets, musicians, singer-songwriters, rappers and storytellers are invited to respond to a suggested (but not mandatory) theme.
- Moving to a new location (address TBA), details.
