The Drunken Poet

Clare Cowley plays the songs of Fleetwood Mac
2025-11-25 20:00 - 23:30 (Australia/Melbourne)
Meanjin based musician, fascinated by the effect of Fleetwood Mac songs, particularly Christie McVee’s, reaching the collective conscious of Australian music lovers, Clare is bringing her stripped back take on their signature folk pop rock. Offering a hand picked setlist delivered with her smoky vocals and harmonica, accompanied by, finger style guitar. Clare’s recent showcases of new singles anticipate Clare’s third full length album, Synthetic Lover, recorded in West Brunswick.

Jack Merideth
2025-11-27 20:00 - 23:30
This November, be sure to catch Jack Meredith playing his solo set at the Drunken Poet! Jack‘s a singer songwriter from the Bellarine Peninsula, with a resonant baritone voice and harmonica style that can be both sensitive and driving. Playing songs that echo his experiences of loss, longing and discovery spanning these worlds between city and country, Jack Meredith will be bringing some honest, heartfelt blues and folk into the Melbourne scene.

Alex Kosenko
2025-11-28 20:30 - 23:30
Alex Kosenko, the independent artist hailing from Brisbane, is set to captivate audiences at The Drunken Poet in Melbourne on July 4, 2025. Known for his unique blend of Blues, Rock, and Roots, Alex delivers dynamic one-man band performances that feature a thumping kick drum and tambourine, bluesy acoustic-electric guitar, howling harmonica solos, and soul-driven vocals. His high-energy shows have left festival-goers buzzing, and this performance promises to be no exception. With a powerful stage presence and inventive electric sound, Alex’s show at The Drunken Poet is an event not to be missed for music lovers.

Cyril Moran
2025-11-29 15:00 - 23:30
Cyril Moran returns to The Poet to kick of our Saturday afternoon right!
Cyril is Irish born and arrived in Melbourne in the early 90’s. He quickly hooked up with the vibrant music scene playing with popular band Shillelagh Goat at The Dan O’Connell and the Normandy hotels. Cyril soon got a taste of the folk music scene which blossomed in Melbourne.
After Shillelagh Goat, Cyril formed Heartwood with other members of Shillelagh Goat and set about doing folk based and original songs with an emphasis on vocal harmonies. They produced a CD which was well received by The Melbourne Age critic Mike Daly. Cyril also worked with Maria Forde and features on several of her albums. Cyril then hooked up with well known fiddler Greg Hunt and they made an album called “Songs From The Soft Voice.”
In 2000 he decided to go solo, and with the help of Arts Victoria produced his first album “Summer Rain” which consisted mostly of original songs. In 2004 he won the Lawson Patterson songwriting award at Port Fairy for his composition “Freedom’s Song” a story about his journey to Australia mirrored with that of the refugees.
Cyril plays regularly at Irish Pubs in Melbourne and is highly in demand for weddings. In his irish repertoire are the old favourites – Black Velvet Band, The Rare Old Mountain Dew, Wild Rover and The Bog Down in the Valley. Cyril also sings contemporary material including John Williamson’s “It’s Raining On The Rock.”

Cold Heart
2025-11-29 21:00 - 23:30
COLD HEART play mid 20th-century southern American music, from the heydays of The Grand Ole Opry and the Louisiana Hayride when radio was king. Performing tunes from artists such as Hank Williams, Johnny Horton, Faron Young, Buck Owens, Moon Mullican and many many more with some originals all in the late 1940s to 1950s feel. The trio consists of Noray Gulian on vocals & acoustic guitar, Steve Venus on electric guitar and Dave Philpots on doghouse double bass. So grab ya self beer & enjoy, listening to Cold Heart will make you feel as though in a west texas honky-tonk bar.

Adam Hattaway (NZ) plays the songs of Van Morrison
2025-12-02 20:00 - 23:30
Adam Hattaway (nz) sings the songs of Van Morrison. Likened to Van Morrison in his own songwriting and singing, Adam has been saluting Van with his 10 piece soul band across New Zealand. Now in Naarm, Adam will play a stripped back set of his favourites with guitarist Elmore Jones. Featuring songs from Astral Weeks, Veedon Fleece, Moondance, Days Like This and more.

Yolanda Ingley II
2025-12-03 20:00 - 23:30
There’s a defining old world charm to Melbourne songstress Yolanda Ingley II – equally wielding smoky vocals and impassioned heart, Yolanda’s songs dip into soul, blues and jazz with inherent sophistication that draw to mind the greats of eras passed.
A Poet favourite!

Madigans Wake
2025-12-07 18:30 - 23:30
Madigan’s Wake is a fusion of traditional Irish folk and punk rock, combining powerful Celtic rhythms with Australian stories. Madigan’s Wake were the winners of London Celtic Punks’ Best Debut Album of the Year in 2023.
Armed with a set of old favourites and fresh originals, they’re back at the Drunken Poet!

Daniel Watkins plays the songs of Gordon Lightfoot
2025-12-09 20:00 - 23:30
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.

Carouse
2025-12-11 21:00 - 23:30
CAROUSE is a Pop Artist / World Guitarist from Christchurch – Aotearoa, New Zealand. His quintessentially kiwi-pop anthems are hook laden with infectious choruses, mixed with articulate guitar rhythms, inspired by the likes of – Prince, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Lenny Kravitz & Tom Misch to name a few. He is a passionate writer, drawing from his own past internal struggles losing his mother at age 9 / growing up without a father.

His blend of pop/groove with soulful overtones are reflected in his releases
“Absolute For Love”, “On My Knees, Odyssey” & EP Shadowlight.

CAROUSE has released his full length debut pop album “Inside Out” on Sep 20, 2024.

CAROUSE has a dazzling / captivating live show, performing both vocal / instrumental tracks from previous releases.
He brings his all to every performance and leaves everything out on the table.

The Drunken Poachers
2025-12-12 20:30 - 23:30
For over a decade, the Drunken Poachers have been commanding drunken soirée’s to the masses in Melbourne’s most elegant dive bars, backyards, ballrooms and festivals – the 7 piece Irish/bluegrass/country band bring their drunken anthems back to the Drunken Poet for their annual Christmas party. Have your drinking boots ready.

Baker & Bunn playing the songs of Flatt and Scruggs
2025-12-16 20:00 - 23:30
Join Chris Baker (banjo) and Jason Bunn (fiddle) for a solid hour of tunes made famous by Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt, together with their Foggy Mountain fiddler Paul Warren.

Rubita (duo)
2025-12-17 20:00 - 23:30
Local guitarist and singer-songwriter Rubita brings her soulful, electric sound to The Drunken Poet on October 1st. Known for her captivating vocals and infectious melodies, Rubita was the first female electric guitarist to graduate out of Otago University in 2015, and since then, she’s played her songs ‘Geraldine’ and ‘Strange Company’ at music festivals and venues across her home country of Aotearoa and more recently, Naarm/ Melbourne.

Grim Fawkner
2025-12-19 20:30 - 22:00
Rambling man, Grim Fawkner, is no stranger to stages and streets across the globe and at home. The epitome of the itinerant musician, he draws together tales and musings from his travels and is as likely to deliver them in soft ballad form as he is face-meltingly intricate and upbeat roots/country/blues.

Murrays Bay Country Club
2025-12-20 21:00 - 23:30
How Much Beef Could Electric Creek Beef If Electric Creek Could Creek Beef!

REGULARS CHRISTMAS
2025-12-21 12:00 - 23:30
A warm welcome to celebrate Christmas with our regulars at The Poet.
Nollaig shona!

Brooke Russell, Tamara Murphy and Jacob McGuffie play Neko Case
2025-12-23 20:00 - 23:30
Brooke Russell, Tamara Murphy and Jacob McGuffie, bring the music of Neko Case to Tribute Tuesday at the Drunken Poet, 23rd December 2025.
With an esteemed solo career and an incredible list of collaborators, Neko Case has been a hero to many young songwriters and a well-known voice to a generation.
As tribute, this trio will perform songs from her extensive back catalogue, and include a few classic covers and guest appearances that Neko has been a part of.
From her early country and rockabilly influence, to her startling vocal collaborations with Kelly Hogan, the set list has been crafted to show her versatility and artistry.

Christmas Eve at The Poet! Nollaig Shona!
2025-12-24 12:00 - 23:30

CLOSED - FESTIVE BREAK
2025-12-25 - 2026-01-01
We will be closed on 25th December
Reopening on January 6th 2026
Looking forward to bringing you more of what you love in the New Year.
Wishing you all the best!

Ciaran Boyle plays the songs of Josh Ritter
2026-01-06 20:00 - 23:30
Ciaran is better known for his Irish setlist but has long played the songs of Josh Ritter to his own amusement and would love the chance to share the lyric based songs of Josh Ritter. Josh lived in Ireland for a period of his creative life so brought his Idaho based country music and fused it with the singer songwriter movement of the time. He is softly spoken but strongly written with songs of American disillusionment such as ‘All some kind of Dream’. Come enjoy & “have mercy on the man who sings to be adored”!

Jarrod Shaw
2026-01-08 20:00 - 23:30
Jarrod Shaw possesses a passion and appreciation for blues music that becomes obvious from the moment the first note sounds. He delivers a soulful blues inspired show, performed with conviction.
Jarrod was born and raised in country Victoria, down the dirt roads of the Macedon Ranges. He taught himself to play guitar listening to the renowned blues greats, as well as the icons of the Australian and local Melbourne blues scene.
Performing countless solo gigs has aided Jarrod in developing a musical style of his own. He blends his unique guitar approach lying somewhere between piedmont fingerstyle and the blues of the delta, with a powerful voice often described as belying his years. At times he even wails away on a racked blues harp – all at once without missing a beat. If you close your eyes you might even believe there’s more than one person performing…

Gwyn Ashton
2026-01-09 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.

Paul Penguin
2026-01-17 15:00 - 23:30
This show features just Paul ‘A Bad Penguin’
From Ireland to West Melbourne, Paul brings a joyful afternoon mix of Irish standards and cheeky covers. Full of heart and humour.

Callum Wylie plays the songs of Paul Westberg
2026-01-20 20:00 - 23:30
Callum Wylie will take to the poet in January to sing the songs of legendary songwriter Paul Westerberg. From his years with the hardest partying band of all time The Replacements to his solo records, Westerberg is one of the finest to ever do it, leaving honesty, grit and humour within every previous lyric. Callum will be playing his personal favourites spanning primarily Westerbergs solo catalogue with a few Mats songs thrown in for good measure.

Kaliopi & the Blues Messengers
2026-01-21 20:00 - 23:30
Kaliopi & the Blues Messengers play The Poet!
KALIOPI and the BLUES MESSENGERS recently celebrated their 1st year anniversary performing St Kilda Blues Festival after officially launching at the Glenmaggie Blues & Roots Festival 2022 to vibrant receptions. In that time, Kaliopi’s band has supported some of our country’s blues icons for Double Trouble Blues Sessions with her team of seasoned musicians.
Kaliopi and the Blues Messengers have honed in on the works of Memphis Minnie as a fundamental mentor and the line of powerful women in blues since pre-WW. They have developed their unique texture using the Double bass like a sousaphone with flavours of early Dixieland piano, weaving clarinet blues licks and Delta Blues guitar over swinging groove shuffles topped with Kaliopi’s powerfully soulful vocals.
Their live shows are energetic and engaging attracting and building a steady following in Melbourne. They are receiving national raving reviews for their live performances and single releases through AMRAP, Australian Musician Neos Kosmos, the latter celebrating their native blues-woman.

Brooke Russell & Abeny Hayes
2026-01-22 20:00 - 23:30

Oscar LaDell plays the songs of Curtis Mayfield
2026-01-27 20:00 - 23:30

Gabby Steel
2026-01-30 20:30 - 23:30
Gabby Steel is a singer-songwriter who writes songs full of heart, soul, and storytelling. Her music explores love, life, and the small moments that stay with us, all delivered with a voice that’s both powerful and personal. Whether she’s performing a stripped-back acoustic set or on a bigger stage, Gabby has a way of connecting with everyone in the room. Make sure to catch Gabby at The Drunken Poet.

Ezra Lee & Jumpin' Jethro Whittaker
2026-02-01 16:00 - 23:30
The Boogie Men features international piano man of mystery Ezra Lee and hot shot guitarist Jumpin’ Jethro Whittaker.
Feb 1 at The Drunken Poet will be one their last gigs before touring ten days in Japan backed with The Broken Blues Band.
Leaning heavily into the great guitar songs of Link Wray, Johnny Guitar Watson and Freddie King, as well as the piano boogie woogie of the 40s and 50s, this duo is steeped in stompin’ blues and rare rockin’ tunes and ready to boogie !

Suzanne Petersen & Big John (Zhang Ling)
2026-02-04 20:00 - 23:30
Suzanne Petersen is a Geelong-based pianist, flautist, singer and songwriter whose music spans folk, blues, pop and jazz. Her releases have appeared on the Australian Blues & Roots charts, and in 2024 she made her solo debut at the Edinburgh Fringe, performing original songs including work from her upcoming release Down That Road. Big John (Zhang Ling) is a celebrated musician from China, known for his powerful voice, virtuosity on bass, and stage presence. A pioneering figure in introducing blues and jazz to Chinese audiences, he has fronted bands that blend blues with soul, rock, and beyond.
