The Drunken Poet

The Drunken Poet One of Melbourne's finest small venues, hosting live, original music Tuesday through Sunday. Sign up is from 5pm on the night, Open Mic begins at 7pm.
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The Drunken Poet is a cozy, authentic Irish pub, situated just near the Victoria Markets, at 65 Peel St, West Melbourne. Out of more than 1,500 pubs from 41 countries, The Drunken Poet was voted into the 10 Best Irish Pubs In The World (Outside Ireland) by The Irish Times... the only venue in Australia to make the list! As our reviews will tell you, The Drunken Poet is a real locals' pub: cute, cozy and friendly. That's what makes it authentically Irish - it's not a twee or clichéd theme-pub... we have portraits of poets from Ireland and around the world on our walls, we serve great Guinness, and we have one of the finest selections of Irish whiskey in Australia. We do free live music six nights a week, and feature Tribute Tuesdays, Wine Whiskey Women on Wednesdays, Open Mic Nights on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month, and Irish Music Sessions on Fridays. For band bookings please email [email protected]
For general enquiries please email [email protected]

Open Mic nights on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month.

Bring on the weekend at The Poet! Fri 9th October Traditional Irish Music Session at 6pmBrett Frank Trio at 8...
09/10/2026

Bring on the weekend at The Poet!

Fri 9th October
Traditional Irish Music Session at 6pm
Brett Frank Trio at 8.30pm

Sat 10th October
Pat McKernan at 3pm
Matt Dwyer Trio at 9pm

Sun 11th October
Evvy George & The Aviary at 4pm
Maggie Carty Band at 6.30pm

We love live music at The Poet! 6 nights a week! David Clements at 8pm David Clements is a singer songwriter from M...
08/10/2026

We love live music at The Poet! 6 nights a week!

David Clements at 8pm

David Clements is a singer songwriter from Melbourne’s northern suburbs.He writes simple, melodic songs that tell a story – usually about love, family, or the beauty & brevity of life – and occasionally about ni****ne poisoning.

If you like songs about falling in love in an op shop; or memories of your dad’s old cars; or insomnia – David’s songs are here for you.

Justin Bernasconi at 9pm

Melbourne-based musician Justin Bernasconi is one of Australia’s finest guitarists. The consummate instrumentalist delivers mesmerising performances.

His acclaimed solo albums Winter Pick and Barefoot Wonderland showcased the singer-songwriter’s range of influences from classical to Americana.

Latest release Sleeping Like A Maniac revisits his UK roots, in a collection he calls ‘Folk Impressionism’

Tonight! W**e, Women, Wh***ey Lily Webb at 8pm (UK) Lily Webb is a singer/songwriter originally from Manchester, UK. Lil...
07/10/2026

Tonight! W**e, Women, Wh***ey

Lily Webb at 8pm (UK)

Lily Webb is a singer/songwriter originally from Manchester, UK. Lily’s love of folk and soul music can clearly be heard when listening to her original music. Her raw and controlled vocals paired with her vulnerable lyrics create an intimate experience for audiences. Lily plans to release an LP later on this year including songs ‘Happy Anniversary’ and ‘Casual’ which she will be performing live at The Drunken Poet.

Georgia Rodgers at 9pm

Bringing to the stage a combination of Blues and Jazz marrying an array of ambient guitar riffs and skilful use of a loop pedal; Georgia Rodgers is an artist you won't want to miss.

Georgia is not only well known for her incredible guitar skills but also her voice and the journey she takes listeners on within her own compositions. This young musician takes the spotlight and captivates audiences through her ability to sing with raw emotion, joined with her iconic Telecaster Georgia's voice and her musicality act as partners in crime, inviting all listeners to be a part of the beautiful love affair.

As a whole, Georgia creates an experience to share, not just an outstanding performance.

Tribute Tuesday tonight at The Poet! Daniel Watkins plays the songs of Gordon Lightfoot - from 8pm. Saddle up for an eve...
06/10/2026

Tribute Tuesday tonight at The Poet!

Daniel Watkins plays the songs of Gordon Lightfoot - from 8pm.

Saddle up for an evening of timeless storytelling and heartfelt folk classics as Daniel Watkins of the High Street Drifters brings the iconic songbook of Gordon Lightfoot to life at The Drunken Poet.

Expect warm acoustic tones, poetic ballads, and Watkins’ signature authenticity as he honours one of folk music’s greatest voices.

Whether you’re a lifelong Lightfoot fan or discovering the magic for the first time, this is a show you won’t want to miss.

Coming up this week at The Poet! Tue 6th October Tribute Tuesdays at 8pm: Daniel Watkins plays the songs of Gor...
05/10/2026

Coming up this week at The Poet!

Tue 6th October
Tribute Tuesdays at 8pm:
Daniel Watkins plays the songs of Gordon Lightfoot

Wed 7th October
W**e, Women, Wh***ey:
Lily Webb at 8pm
Georgia Rodgers at 9pm

Thu 8th October
David Clements at 8pm
Justin Bernasconi at 9pm

Fri 9th October
Traditional Irish Music Session at 6pm
Brett Frank Trio at 8.30pm

Sat 10th October
Pat McKernan at 3pm
Matt Dwyer Trio at 9pm

Sun 11th October
Evvy George & The Aviary at 4pm
Maggie Carty Band at 6.30pm

Catch this guy while he's in town - John Clay hails from Donegal Ireland and will be beringing an eclectic mix of tradit...
04/10/2026

Catch this guy while he's in town - John Clay hails from Donegal Ireland and will be beringing an eclectic mix of traditional Irish ballads and classic folk songs.

Bring on another great weekend at The Drunken Poet! Fri 2nd October Traditional Irish Music Session at 6pmBack ...
02/10/2026

Bring on another great weekend at The Drunken Poet!

Fri 2nd October
Traditional Irish Music Session at 6pm
Back Alley Sally at 8.30pm (pictured)

Sat 3rd October
Rhythm Kitchen at 3pm
Hey Gr**go at 9pm

Sun 4th October
Wobbly Boot at 4pm
John Clay at 6.30pm

Open Mic night returns to The Poet this eve, welcoming all kinds of performers to sign up at the bar (anytime from 5pm) ...
01/10/2026

Open Mic night returns to The Poet this eve, welcoming all kinds of performers to sign up at the bar (anytime from 5pm) showtime from 7pm.

First in best dressed!

W**e, Wh***ey, Women tonight at The Poet, welcoming special guests Kate Lucetta and Maja!8pm: If you don’t know Kate Luc...
30/09/2026

W**e, Wh***ey, Women tonight at The Poet, welcoming special guests Kate Lucetta and Maja!

8pm:
If you don’t know Kate Lucetta yet, you’ll feel like old friends after catching her play.

Armed with a guitar, a banjo, collection of original soulful pop tunes & plenty of stories she’ll make you smile, might make you cry & hopefully garner a chuckle or 2.

Kate & Maja have been besties for years so a collab or 2 is also highly possible :-)

9pm:
Thought- provoking and deeply-personal, Maja's songs are vulnerable and relatable, displaying a depth and maturity far beyond her age. Looking to the past for inspiration, her songs possess a sound quality and nostalgia that her audiences know so well, echoing soul, blues and folk music.

Her diverse ranges of styles come to highlight her fierce vocal performance and direct song-writing style, channeling the likes of Otis Redding, Clairy Browne and the Banging Rackettes, Laura Marling and Fiona Apple.

Tribute Tuesday tonight! Thomas Kendall plays the songs of Dick Gaughan, a Scottish singer-songwriter known for his soci...
29/09/2026

Tribute Tuesday tonight!

Thomas Kendall plays the songs of Dick Gaughan, a Scottish singer-songwriter known for his social protest songs and contributions to Scotland's folk music tradition.

Dick Gaughan’s impact on folk musicians the world over cannot be overstated. While it might be pure fantasy to suggest that anyone other than Dick himself can do these songs as well as he can, what can be learnt by trying, is a flatpick driven hybrid of Scots-irish balladry with the alternate tunings that were widely adopted by Celtic guitarists of the period (and still to this day).

Beyond what he can impart as a guitarist are some of the most impassioned and brilliant vocal performances yet committed to tape. For a bluegrasser like myself, knowing that Dick had a brief foray into bluegrass himself is a reminder that this heritage of song connects us the world over. When a scene starts to ossify, that’s when the wildfire comes through, tosses out the old growth and gives us something new.

Forever regenerative, he remains a beacon of singular expressive brilliance to me and many other folkies. I hope to bring some level of justice to these songs, knowing it to be a sysyphean task.

Address

65 Peel Street
West Melbourne, VIC
3003

Opening Hours

Tuesday 3pm - 1am
Wednesday 3pm - 1am
Thursday 3pm - 1am
Friday 3pm - 1am
Saturday 12pm - 1am
Sunday 12am - 11pm

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