The Drunken Poet

Ruairí Flynn
2026-08-08 15:00 - 23:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
Ruairí Flynn from the small village of Graiguenamanagh, Co.Kilkenny has been gigging in pubs and bars since the age of 18 with a mix of Irish traditional and folk songs.
This has led to Ruairí playing all across Ireland and opening for some legendary acts such as Paddy Casey and The 4 of Us.
Not to be missed!!

Billy Cart Crash
2026-08-08 21:00 - 23:30
Billy Cart Crash are a spirited three-piece band from Melbourne’s northern suburbs, now coming to the big smoke at The Drunken Poet!
They blend rockabilly, jump blues, swing, and swamp into a sound that’s uniquely their own.
With a hard-hitting slap double bass and high-octane guitar solos, their original music invites listeners to dance, unwind, or rock out. Their songs pay homage to traditional rockabilly themes of “fast cars, girls n bars”, using these concepts as playful metaphors for the modern world.
At The Drunken Poet in June, Billy Cart Crash will mix rockabilly roots and greaser flair with a contemporary feel and sound for a two set show!

Nick Charles
2026-08-09 16:00 - 23:00
Nick Charles is known internationally as “Australia’s virtuoso of acoustic roots and blues”. His 35+ year career has seen him accumulate every conceivable accolade including Port Fairy Artist of the Year and The AGE Blues album of the year.
He’s toured with artists including John Hammond, Guy Clarke, Ralph McTell, Robyn Ford and BB King touring the US 13 times in recent years and releasing over 20 albums worldwide.
This is dazzling fingerpicking roots magic and a lifetime’s stories and songs from the world’s musical highways. In the words of Bruce Elder from the Sydney Morning Herald “he plays guitar like an angel!”

The Galway Rovers
2026-08-09 18:30 - 23:30
Ciaran Boyle and Declan Simpson have joined together as THE GALWAY ROVERS!
Spend your Sunday evening at The Poet with these legends!

Brittle Sun & Peter O'Shea play the songs of Velvet Underground
2026-08-11 20:00 - 23:30
Brittle Sun & Peter O’Shea play the songs of Velvet Underground

Safari Motel
2026-08-12 20:00 - 23:30
Safari Motel is back with fresh energy and new grooves! Join Nicole, Jason, Simon, and Damo at The Drunken Poet in West Melbourne for a night of electric tunes and infectious rhythms. With fresh faces on guitar and drums, we’re bringing a whole new level of passion to the stage—ready to do what we were born to do. Don’t miss the revival of the Safari Motel experience!

Mason, Shane, Joe
2026-08-13 20:00 - 23:30
Mason, Shane and Joe are a newly formed trio – from The Poet’s Open Mic, to our legendary Thursday nights!

The Dead Reckoners
2026-08-13 21:00 - 23:30
The Dead Reckoners are an Americana duo playing primarily original material, a couple of well worn musicians in a relatively new band!

Traditional Irish Music Session
2026-08-14 18:00 - 23:30
Every Friday night, to start your weekend right!
With live music 6 nights a week at The Poet, our Traditional Irish Music sessions are a part of our weekly line up.

Gwyn Ashton
2026-08-14 20:30 - 23:30
Ashton is on the top of the list of the new wave of modern blues rock artists, spearheaded by The Black Keys, Jack White, Seasick Steve etc. Live, his dynamic performances also include haunting and mesmerising bottleneck and lap steel moments.
Laying down a dirty backbeat on a foot drum kit, bass lines with his thumb, he attacks his guitar with a bottleneck slide, sings and blows blues harp into a lofi radio microphone, creating the illusion of a full band. From a scream to a whisper in a split second, his dynamic sensitivity on all these instruments defines his musicality and flexibility.
With a new single Get Outta Town feat Guns N’ Roses guitarist Richard Fortus and members of Australian bands Cold Chisel and Superjesus, the Welsh-Australian recently appeared across Europe with prog rockers Wishbone Ash, co-headlined the Adelaide Guitar Festival in Australia and blazed his way across the UK, Germany, Balkans, Czechia, Slovakia and Poland. He’s played dozens of festivals across Europe, UK, Mexico, Brazil, Australia and Russia and tours with some of the biggest names in rock and blues.
Inspired by the likes of Hendrix, Ry Cooder and David Lindley, his “guitarsenal” includes a rack of electric and acoustic instruments including lap slide, resonator, 12-string and old pawn shop guitars. He plays venues, festivals, guitar shows and conducts masterclasses worldwide.

Pat McKernan
2026-08-15 15:00 - 23:30
Pat is a favourite at The Poet and brings his legendary tunes to our Saturday afternoon. Pat has toured extensively as guitarist for Irish folk legend Finbar Furey and has had his song “Geraldine’s thinking of Galway” recorded by the Furey brothers.

The Lonesome Wranglers
2026-08-15 21:00 - 2026-10-31 23:30
The Lonesome Wranglers bring their infectious blend of vintage country and rockabilly to the Drunken Poet. Expect originals, obscure covers and re-imaginings of some unexpected favourites. Come git some grit!

Steamboat Whistlers
2026-08-16 16:00 - 23:30
The Steamboat Whistlers are a Melbourne based acoustic band dedicated to early jazz and blues that emanated from New Orleans before travelling up the Mississippi and all around the globe. The band’s repertoire draws on a wide range of musical influences which include traditional jazz, depression era blues, ragtime and spirituals.
The Steamboat Whistlers have gained a loyal following through their energetic dedication to reliving these tunes of old, their unique vintage sound can be heard at many venues and festivals in Melbourne and Regional Victoria.
The Steamboat Whistlers are guaranteed to get you tapping your toes!

Stephen Kennedy
2026-08-16 18:30 - 23:30
Poet fave Stephen Kennedy returns!

Scott Hamilton plays Townes Van Zandt
2026-08-18 20:00 - 23:30
“Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world, and I’ll stand on Bob Dylan’s coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that.”
Steve Earle.
“I’ve met Bob Dylan’s bodyguards, and if Steve thinks he’s going to stand on Bob’s coffee table in his cowboy boots, he’s sorely mistaken.”
Townes Van Zandt.
“A Song For “ The life of Townes Van Zandt. The telling of the life of the legendary Texan songwriter through his songs from beyond the grave to the beginning and back again.

Suzie So Blue
2026-08-19 20:00 - 23:30
Warm up your Wednesday night on 19 August with Suzie So Blue live at the legendary Drunken Poet from 8–10pm, just steps from the Queen Vic Winter Night Market. Settle in for two intimate sets of soulful folk, blues and dark country storytelling from one of Melbourne’s captivating independent voices.

Known for her haunting vocals, hypnotic tenor guitar and emotionally raw songwriting, Suzie So Blue brings a rich mix of originals and carefully chosen covers to one of Melbourne’s favourite listening rooms.

Open Mic Night!
2026-08-20 17:00 - 23:30

Traditional Irish Music Session
2026-08-21 18:00 - 23:30
Every Friday night, to start your weekend right!

Jump the Shark
2026-08-21 20:30 - 23:30
Jump The Shark play Jump Blues and Blues dance music. They feature songs by The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Duke Robillard, Robben Ford, Big Joe and the Dynaflows, Albert Collins, Colin James, Hollywood Fats and many others.

Matt Dwyer
2026-08-22 21:00 - 23:30
Multi – award winning guitarist/singer/songwriter Matt Dwyer has been wowing audiences across Australia and overseas for close to two decades.

By the time he was in his mid twenties he’d already become a respected veteran of the blues and roots scene as a member of seminal band The Bondi Cigars as well as a solo artist.

Since then he’s released two albums – the 2007 release “Who Loves Ya” was critically acclaimed, scoring Album Of the Year at the Vic/ Tas Blues Awards as well as securing the Artist Of the Year Award.

Ken Williams of Melbourne’s The Age called it “Certainly my album of the year.” High praise indeed.

Moonee Valley Drifters
2026-08-23 16:00 - 23:30
Moonee Valley Drifters are back at The Poet!
Melbourne’s favourite Old Time Country Swing, Honky Tonk, Tex-Mex, Cajun, & Bluegrass band.

Fables
2026-08-23 18:30 - 23:30
Fables are an Irish acoustic duo who cover a wide range of sounds, from Rock, Pop, Folk, and Country to Irish heartfelt Ballads. Comprising lead singer Tara Raftery and singer-guitarist Kevin McGinley, the duo brings an intimate and dynamic sound that resonates with their audiences.

Peter Baylor & Nick Hayward play the songs of Willie Nelson
2026-08-25 20:00 - 23:30

Elly McK & The Unbelievers
2026-08-26 20:00 - 23:30
Elly McK & The Unbelievers are an Australian alt-country and Americana powerhouse, shaking up the scene with their genre-defying sound.
Frontwoman Elly McK crafts hauntingly original songs that dance along edges of folk, alt-country, and Americana. Backed by The Unbelievers, the band delivers a mix of vintage-inspired vibes and foot-stomping grooves, blending raw storytelling, rich harmonies, and a sound that marries rootsy twang with modern grit. Known for their captivating live performances and evocative songwriting, Elly McK & The Unbelievers are carving a distinct path in the Australian music scene, becoming an undeniable force to watch.

Sam Price Trio
2026-08-27 20:00 - 23:30
The Sam Price Trio are a dazzling jazz ensemble, playing standard repertoire with all the energy and feels. Joined by his virtuoso guitarist son Monty and their amazing bassist, Tom Lee.

Traditional Irish Music Session
2026-08-28 18:00 - 23:30
Start your weekend off right, every Friday night we have Trad Irish Music at The Poet!

Adam Waldron Trio
2026-08-28 20:30 - 23:30
Swampy, twangy, rockin’ and sometimes psychedelic blues trio led by guitarist/singer Adam Waldron

Pat McKernan
2026-08-29 15:00 - 23:30
Pat has toured extensively as guitarist for Irish folk legend Finbar Furey and has had his song “Geraldine’s thinking of Galway” recorded by the Furey brothers. Come and be merry!

The Pheasantry
2026-08-29 21:00 - 23:30
Yes. Alt country, urban folk, country rock, rock n roll, bluegrass and blues from the city or the swamp … call it what you will, but these guys mix all this together, and more. If all band members give the go, it’s in. This mix is their sound, and they love creating it, and performing it.
With a huge original song list, that started back in the early nineties, this band has many influences. Carefully chosen covers rotated through the live set keeps them thinking, and writing. From Tom Petty to Tom Wates, Johnny Cash to Paul Kelly, The Band, Little Feat, Tony Joe White …. The Pheasantry Band’s sound is catchy.
If you like real vocals in harmony, real guitars with exiting electric twang, fat upright bass and drums ready to explode, make sure you see this five-piece band of cheeky Melbourne gentlemen.
Over 30 years since these guys started writing and recording songs and grooves, and they’re not about to stop.
Their style is infectious, always tells a story and great to watch. They have fun!

Shackleton
2026-08-30 16:00 - 23:30
It was a band formed for the sheer love of playing. A chance to regularly work their way through a fascinating set of covers without the pressure of their more serious career ventures.
Formed by Mick Thomas, Anna Burley (Killjoys) and Liz Stringer, Shackleton3 was a holiday band – and a damn good one. Something to keep their hand in when not touring in their own respective right.
They played the pubs of the inner north of Melbourne and were the perfect soundtrack for dreamy winter Sunday evenings. Open fires, red wine and dark beer were their companions as a dedicated following shared the intimate spaces. Football would be finished for the round and thoughts of the working week were expertly held at bay as the glorious harmonies swirled around the commanding vocals of Anna Burley.
When Liz Stringer departed to live in the northern hemisphere the band played on a for another year with a revolving lineup but ultimately other projects took precedence and the band stopped playing – leaving behind one single album Just Turning Pages as testament to some nonchalantly magical performances.
But a good idea and a good concept will only remain dormant for so long and an impromptu two song reunion at the wake for an inner Melbourne punter stalwart got Mick and Anna thinking it’s time to revive the very idea if the band. Enter Olivia Bolmat from indi folk new-troubadours Norwood to complete the lineup and Shackleton3 2026 is set to go.
The only question now is what are you doing Sunday?
