The Drunken Poet

Open Mic Night!
2026-07-02 17:00 - 23:30 (Australia/Melbourne)

Traditional Irish Music Session
2026-07-03 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.

Bill Barber
2026-07-03 20:30 - 23:30
Hailing from central Victoria, guitarist/singer songwriter Bill Barber is at the forefront of a new generation of Australian Blues.
“Bill Barber is the next in line to become one of Australia’s Blues greats” – Lloyd Spiegel
A favourite here, we love it when Bill plays The Poet!

Pat McKernan
2026-07-04 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 Pheasantry
2026-07-04 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!

Alex Burns
2026-07-05 16:00 - 23:30
Alex’s discography is impressive, three albums with Nick Charles, a critically acclaimed solo Hawaiian album “Twilight blues” and after many requests Alex recorded and released, in 2004, his first solo blues album “The blues is here to stay.”
The following year Alex followed up with his second Hawaiian album “Alex Burns’ Adventures in Paradise”, again critically acclaimed.

Stephen Kennedy
2026-07-05 18:30 - 23:30
Poet Fave Stephen Kennedy returns to The Poet for a great Sunday evening of music!

Thomas Kendall plays the songs of Doc Watson
2026-07-07 20:00 - 23:30
Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer whose revolutionary flatpicking and fingerpicking techniques reshaped Appalachian folk, bluegrass, country, and blues music. Blind from infancy, Watson went from a street performer in North Carolina to a multi-Grammy Award-winning national treasure.

Safari Motel
2026-07-08 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!

Oscar LaDell
2026-07-09 20:00 - 23:30
Oscar LaDell was born in the US and raised in Purakaunui, Dunedin. A second-generation musician, Oscar started out playing standards in bars around Dunedin, featuring songs by Muddy Waters, BB King and Guitar Slim. Over the years, funk, rock, soul, R&B and more have found their way into Oscar’s music.
In the space of one of LaDell’s original songs, the sound can range from a gentle slow dance to explosive and hypnotic guitar solos. Oscar’s powerful and expressive guitar playing and soulful singing act as one to create a sound that is both reminiscent of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and fresh.

Traditional Irish Music Session
2026-07-10 18:00 - 23:30
Every Friday night, to start your weekend right!

Jump the Shark
2026-07-10 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.

Rhythm Kitchen
2026-07-11 15:00 - 23:30
Rhythm Kitchen are bringing their infectious tunes, foot stomping energy and good times to The Poet!

Frankie & The Bad Cats
2026-07-11 21:00 - 23:30
Frankie & The Bad Cats is a blues band whose original material ranges from traditional and modern blues to funk and even elements of rockabilly.
The band has recently had a name change and was originally known as Mojo Mafia.
Under the Mojo Mafia label the band released three albums, their latest titled
“Judgement Day” which many independent blues/roots music critics believe is their finest work to date.
“The band Frankie & The Bad Cats is an example of the fact that energy, passion and soul is what separates the good from the great.”
(Barry Maxwell – President of Blues Music Victoria).

Ezra Lee's Boogie Men
2026-07-12 16:00 - 23:30
Join us for a Sunday afternoon with the one and only Ezra Lee’s Boogie Men!
Ezra Lee is Australia’s undisputed king of boogie-woogie and rock ‘n’ roll piano. Channeling the spirit of legends like Jerry Lee Lewis, Ezra’s performances are a whirlwind of explosive energy, pounding rhythms, and fiery licks. A natural-born showman, Ezra has toured internationally and shared stages with rockabilly royalty, earning him a reputation as one of the most exciting live acts in the world. With his unmistakable style and larger-than-life personality, Ezra continues to set stages ablaze and redefine the genre for a new generation.

The Maggie Carty Band
2026-07-12 18:30 - 23:30
The Maggie Carty Band play brilliant Irish music, amazing vocals, try not to tap your feet!
Rounding off your Sunday evening afternoon just right with Poet favorites!

Moonee Valley Drifters play the songs of Hank Williams
2026-07-14 20:00 - 23:30
Moonee Valley Drifters play the songs of Hank Williams!

Hank Williams was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who arguably became country music’s first superstar. In a brief but explosive seven-year career, he wrote a catalog of emotional, honky-tonk classics before dying tragically of a heart attack at just 29 years old.

Sherri Parry
2026-07-15 20:00 - 23:30
Sherri Parry has never sat comfortably in one box. This is especially true when it comes to her music. With a sound completely unique Parry blends genres unhesitatingly. Taking influence from solo artists such as Amy Winehouse, Hayley Williams and Mitski Parry has birthed her own commanding sound in songwriting. Think jazz chords, pop vocals, folk storytelling, soul emotion, and whatever else is nearby. The only thing retaining a constant is the catchiness of her song writing and power of her lyricism.
Born and bred in regional Victoria, Parry has been writing, releasing and performing in Central VIC since 2013. She opened for Australian music royalty John Butler in 2019 at the Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival at Ulumburra theatre, three months before releasing her full-length album ‘Leave The Flowers’ in February 2020. With COVID 19 dismissing any chance of a tour, spent the isolation writing new music. Since January 2021, Parry joined forces with Bendigo guitarist, engineer and producer, Tom Hadlow to start building the next project. Working through the heat of the summer, the pair are independently recording and producing Parry’s new songs for her upcoming new album. The songs embody the feeling of melancholy, desperation, and anger shifting Parry’s music in a very new direction.

Open Mic Night
2026-07-16 17:00 - 23:30
Sign up at the bar from 5pm, first in best dressed. Performances from 7pm – bring your crew!

Traditional Irish Music Session
2026-07-17 18:00 - 23:30
Start your weekend off right, every Friday night we have Trad Irish Music at The Poet!

Moosejaw Rifle Club
2026-07-17 20:30 - 23:30
Moosejaw Rifle Club are a folk/country/bluegrass band. With layered four part harmonies and hooks galore, the sweet harmonising and rollicking rhythms have seized the attention of every band room and festival they have played.
Moosejaw Rifle Club have firmly set their reputation for fun loving, good time music. Seamlessly moving between country ballads and rollicking anthems. Their sound starts at country, but stops all stations including blues, bluegrass, folk, gospel and rock.

Stephen Kennedy
2026-07-18 15:00 - 23:30
Poet fave Stephen Kennedy returns!

The Westernairs
2026-07-18 21:00 - 23:30
The Westernairs deliver authentic Country/Honky Tonk and Western Swing music in the traditional 1950s/60s style, covering songs from famous Country artists such as Hank Williams, George Jones, Faron Young, and Marty Robbins, plus other lesser known Country/Hillbilly stars of the 1950s/60s. Their repertoire also includes an ever increasing list of self penned tunes by Kieron himself. The music is guaranteed to have your feet a tappin’ and your body movin’.

Shaky Stills
2026-07-19 16:00 - 23:30
Melbourne’s own original country western, tex mex, trucker and western swing band play only the best dancing & drinking songs. They deliver the prime cuts and take no detours performing with their incredibly tight sound, three part harmonies, classic 7″ singles arrangements and big-hearted honesty.

Fables
2026-07-19 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.

Craig Kelly & Joyce Prescher play the songs of Mark Lanegan
2026-07-21 20:00 - 23:30
Mark Lanegan was one of the great underrated singer-songwriters of the modern era, with a deep, smoky baritone drawing comparisons to Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave. Rising to prominence with Seattle grunge band The Screaming Trees (I Nearly Lost You), he went on to collaborate with close friend Kurt Cobain, appeared as a featured voice across three Queens of the Stone Age albums, and became the brooding foil to Belle & Sebastian’s Isobel Campbell across three dark-folk records echoing Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra — alongside countless other collaborations and 11 solo albums.
Performed by Craig Kelly with Joyce Prescher.

Elly McK & The Unbelievers
2026-07-22 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.

Beth and Ted
2026-07-23 09:00 - 23:30
Introducing the dynamic duo, Bethany Graf and Ted Coutts, now based in Melbourne, Australia. Formerly of the rock band Atomica, Beth and Ted bring a unique blend of powerful vocals, rich harmonies, and engaging musicianship to every performance.
Drawing inspiration from artists such as Paramore, Oasis, Royel Otis, The Cranberries and Fleetwood Mac, their live shows feature a diverse mix of crowd-favourite classics, modern hits, and heartfelt ballads, alongside original music that showcases their distinctive sound.
Whether performing intimate acoustic sets or energetic sing-along favourites, Beth and Ted create a warm and memorable atmosphere that connects with audiences of all ages. They are thrilled to be performing at The Drunken Poet and look forward to sharing an unforgettable evening of live music with you.

Traditional Irish Music Session
2026-07-24 18:00 - 23:30
Every Friday night, welcoming you into the weekend with the warmth of real Irish music!

Doggerel
2026-07-24 20:30 - 23:30
Doggerel burst from the kennel and onto the stage to flog their special brand of bung blues, roughhouse rock, and sundry sad tunes about drinking, dishonour, and death. Based around the steel guitar and drums of founding members Kier Stevens and John Kostaras, Doggerel always keep a tight focus on looseness, ratbaggery, and having a rollicking good time.
Throw in some bass, saxophone, and a shot or two, and things are really starting to look up for you. Every show is a cheerfully irreverent affront to blues tradition that will leave your ears in even better condition.
