Briana Carril 
Poetry slams, readings, open mic nights, and books carry more than just an exciting story or an experience. Through many of these events, there is a welcoming community and a sense of understanding of what poetry is and what it means. Whether it be a dinner and a show or just an organized event of people coming to celebrate the spoken word, poetry can be used to impact others creatively and lightheartedly. Many venues and organizations host poetry readings and open mics, so we’ve narrowed down the list. Read on to discover where poetry reading are happening in Hoboken, Jersey City, and New York City.
Hoboken
Hoboken Historical Museum | 1301 Hudson Street
The Hoboken Historical Museum is a hub for all things arts and culture. Throughout the year a variety of events take place including poetry readings, story sessions, and more. While Hoboken Historical Museum’s most recent poetry event, Jersey Grown II just passed, locals can keep an eye out for future poetry readings here.
Hoboken Public Library | 500 Park Avenue
The Hoboken Public library is the heart of Hoboken’s community. The space features events for all ages throughout the year including poetry-related gatherings. Coming up soon is a new event called Poetry and Memory, a free workshop that invites individuals to turn their memories into poems in a supportive setting.
Read More: A Guide to Bookstores in Hoboken + Jersey City
Little City Books | 100 Bloomfield Street
Little City Books is an indie bookstore cherished by Hoboken residents. The space serves as more than just a book store and also host various monthly events such as book clubs, story time, and poetry sessions. Coming up on April 23rd is an evening of poetry moderated by Danny Shot.
Symposia Bookstore | 510 Washington Street
Symposia Bookstore has a warm and homey feel, with books and reading spaces scattered about the store. Other than monthly open mic nights for local artists, Symposia also hosts community groups/events, book clubs, puppet shows, and comedy nights.
Jersey City
Cranky Angel | 304 Newark Avenue
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Colorful, Y2K-themed vintage and thrift store, Cranky Angel is more than just your typical shop. The store hosts several events throughout the year including open mic nights hosted by local community event curator and poet, Josie Libero. Together Josie and Cranky Angel owner, Montana Fucci come together to host Cozy Community Open Mic sessions for poets, musicians, and artists of all forms. For updates and future events, keep an eye out on social.
Jersey City Public Library | Multiple Locations
The Jersey City Public Library hosts community events all year long at multiple branch locations. In honor of National Poetry Month the library will be hosting events centered around the art of poetry, including a Teen Poetry Jam at the Miller Branch located at 489 Bergen Avenue. To keep up with future events click here.
Jersey City Writers | 157B First Street, Room 608, Jersey City
Jersey City Writers is a nonprofit for local writers. The group hosts workshops, open mics, poetry readings and more to celebrate local writers. Jersey City Writers even hosts a weekly virtual Poetry Group on Wednesday evenings at 7PM. For future events click here.
OpenRoad Poetry | Multiple Locations
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OpenRoad Poetry believes in celebrating the arts and creating more of it. Through its use of local art galleries, many paintings throughout the space highlight the artistic and eccentric vibe during each event. Open mic nights, poetry events, poetry book signings, and readings occur regularly. Its website and Instagram carries regular updates on all events. Poetry readings and open mics can happen at various local locations but lately OpenRoad has been hosting performances at Jersey City’s Three Thirds Cafe located at 400 Claremont Avenue.
Sure Things | 561 Palisade Avenue
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Sure Things is a minimalist vintage shop filled with objects, art, decorations, furniture, and books. With the shelves lined with books and poetry, Sure Things also hosts a monthly poetry reading series with WAYE (We Appreciate Your Enthusiasm). Follow along on Instagram for event updates.
WORD Bookstore | 29 McWilliams Place
WORD Bookstore is a small and quaint store packed from floor to ceiling with books of every genre imaginable. With its diversity in books comes the many events held within the space that highlight writers and readers from all over. Book signings, readings, talks, launches, and other fun events are just a few of the monthly happenings. WORD shared with HG that open mic nights will resume again soon on April 25th and to stay tuned for more announcements on social.
Union City
Green Space Studios | 543 40th Street
Green Space Studios in Union City is a community led and driven space that connects artists through several art forms. The space hosts everything from clothing swaps and flea markets to writing workshops, to poetry readings and open mic sessions. To keep up with all things Green Space Studios visit its Instagram.
New York City
Bowery Poetry | 308 Bowery
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Bowery Poetry is home to a beautiful venue with a Victorian-esque theme, with patterns, pillars, and chandeliers throughout the space. In addition to its weekly poetry slams every Monday night at 7PM, it hosts other poetry reading events throughout the week, such as ASL slam and se buscan poetas. All information and tickets can be found on its website and Instagram.
KGB Bar | 85 East 4th Street
KGB Bar is a small but rustic space filled with historic writers and history since its opening in 1878, serving not only drinks but also live music and other events. The full list of events for the month can be found on its website. Some events are weekly open mic nights, poetry readings, comedy shows, and live music. KGB Bar is open seven days a week from 7PM-4AM.
The Moth | 75 Broad Street
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The Moth has provided a space where anyone can come and tell a story without fear or judgment since 2012. The idea comes from telling a true short story about oneself and sharing it with the group. The Moth has workshops, classes, competitions, live storytelling events, and educational programs.
See More: 12 Ways to Celebrate National Poetry Month in Northern New Jersey
Poets House | 10 River Terrace
Poets House has provided poetry programs and activities to the area since 1986. It has a comfortable library look and feel, with shelves lined with books and quiet sitting places to read. Poetry readings, discussions, workshops, and other events happen daily and monthly.
