The Drunken Poet is one of Melbourne's best live music venues, providing a unique community atmosphere between musicians and punters. If you are an artist looking to perform at The Drunken Poet, get in contact with us here.
All gigs are FREE ENTRY
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.
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.
From the markets and festivals in Western Victoria to the heart of Melbourne Town where he has moved to pursue musical endeavours, Roy Darby and his newly formed band 'The Dial Ups' are here to encapsulate and reinvigorate the spirit of Rock And Roll as it was meant to be.
With a vivacious repertoire, potent stage presence and unbridled honesty that ricochets from wall to wall, door to door and in between your eyes to ears, catch Roy Darby at The Drunken Poet, where you’ll find the spirit flowing, up and away.
Come along, you won’t regret a single moment.
Crescent Moon make their debut at The Poet!
Tucked away in the corner of pub or bar you will find Crescent Moon plying their trade with a combination of lap steel, twang and sweet three-part harmonies. Crescent Moon turn out a swag of originals and put their stamp on a sample of other composers’ work.
Described as well-travelled and eclectic mix of weaving, melody, tex-mex and country rhythms Crescent Moon sing of cattle, cars, canines, cold winter Sundays and the call of the sea.
The mighty Tipplers hit the Poet to bring about your Sunday eve in style!
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.
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 :-)
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.
Chop, chop.. sign up from 5pm at the bar! Performances kick off at 7pm.
Legends are made at The Drunken Poet Open Mic Night!
Every Friday night, to start your weekend right!
The Wobbly Boots are a six-piece Old Time hillbilly mountain music band, bringing high-energy string band sounds and back-porch harmonies to the stage. Led by Charlie Sanford on fiddle and Peter Holmes on banjo, the group also features brothers Tom and Matt Rodd (of Shaky Stills fame) on steel-string guitar and mandolin. Holding down the rhythm section are Andrew La Blanc on double bass and Andy Reid on washboard. It’s boot-stompin’, heart-thumpin’ mountain music the old-fashioned way – raw, rambunctious, and full of soul.
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.
Lily Webb is a musician from the UK, living in Melbourne! Bringing her acoustic tunes to The Drunken Poet for the first time.
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 nicotine 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.
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’
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.
A dynamic powerhouse of Foot stompin, Blues and Roots powered by the 12 String acoustic Guitar and howling vocals of singer songwriter Brett Franke', accompanied by Kevin Starling on hand percussion and Carla Zilles on Bass guitar.
A truly unique and engaging sound built off some original songcraft and beautiful fingerpicked acoustic guitar stylings.
Blues n Roots that ignites, bites and begs you to get your groove on.
Evvy George & The Aviary blend heartfelt folk storytelling with the twang of classic honky tonk, creating a mixture of songs that feel equally at home around a campfire or in a barroom in Texas. His debut album "The Integration of Evvy George" brings together all the parts of his identity and history as an international touring musician, from bird watching to Taoist philosophy. and even AFL. Through his music, he is also able to bring parts to the light that are too hard to share with only words.
Australian Doors duo play the songs of The Doors!
Teresa Duffy-Richards is a seasoned singer/songwriter. A two time finalist in the Darebin songwriting competition, her music is steeped in the vast traditions of Roots music, Folk, Country and Blues, and the more modern realms of RocknRoll, Punk and Noise Rock. With a voice described as achingly beautiful, she draws comparisons to Sandy Denny, Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton while remaining all her own. Her richly poetic and lyrical song writing combined with her exceptional voice and musicianship has entranced audiences and seen her open for such acts as Tex Perkins and Matt Walker. She returns to The Drunken Poet on Wednesday the 14th of October with Joshua Jones, armed with acoustic guitars, harmonica and banjo in tow.
Register from 5pm, performances from 7pm!
Start your weekend off right, every Friday night we have Trad Irish Music at The Poet!
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’.
The Backyard Banjo Club is a four-piece trad-jazz/bluegrass bonanza. Think Tom Waits meets Django Reinhardt and plays a jazz cover of a Radiohead tune. High energy up-tempo jazz and the occasional sultry ballad, good times guaranteed.
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.
Caelo is a lutruwita/Tasmanian singer-songwriter of harmony laden alt-rock and folk music, with subjects ranging from love to Vladimir Putin. The combination of this eclectic repertoire with his beguiling voice has helped him win over new audiences; performing to crowds at the Queenscliff and Port Fairy Folk festivals, as well as sharing a stage with the likes of Teenage Dads along the way.
Thomas Skalicky is a songwriter spinning antique melodies and end-of-the-world synth musings into surrealist folk-rock. Always drawing on the cardinal psychedelic encounter, Skalicky replaces its lost horizon with contradictions and the pain of the mundane. Disappearing memories and love-sick fever dreams entangled in a topsy-turvy world.
Every Friday Night at The Poet!
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.
‘Kid’ James (James Schembri) is the new kid on the block in the Melbourne Rockabilly scene.
A nineteen-year-old singer/songwriter and guitarist that is performing authentic Rockabilly tunes like it was done by teenagers in the 50’s!
Be sure to catch ‘Kid’ James at The Drunken Poet.
Come on down for a night of wild and authentic rockabilly music!
Tall Dan (Dan MacMinn) plays original gritty love songs and insightful ballads from deep suburban landscapes and the iconic regional beyond. Delivering deep notes and stunning country melodies with a rock edge, accompanied by Paul Jonas on backing vocals and violin, together they weave luscious and compelling music, but it’s the emotional storytelling that connects to audiences.
This magnetic duo promises a rich and satisfying session of folk tales in a modern Australian context.
Girl Friday plays the songs of Portishead
Rachel Clark returns to The Poet for Wine, Whiskey, Women!
Self-taught Singer-Songwriter, Rachel Clark, has crafted a musical journey that blends heartfelt storytelling with a sultry and soulful acoustic folk vibe. With raw honesty, she delves into the depths of the human experience, heartache to humour, offering introspective narratives on loss, love, and the battles we all face.
Sign up at the bar from 5pm, first in best dressed. Performances from 7pm - bring your crew!
Every Friday night, welcoming you into the weekend with the warmth of real Irish music!
Come down for a great Friday night of entertainment as the Northwest Grifters make their debut at the Drunken Poet. The NWG hurl their heart & soul in your face and get you rocking on the dancefloor before you can say ‘Americana’. A 5-piece band featuring twanging & acoustic guitars, harmonica, accordion, keyboards and a sweet rhythm section. Fronted by a displaced Canadian (#Canadiana) ably supported by his Australian brothers. Songwriting at its heartfelt and honest best. The sets are complimented with some choice covers to get you dancing or at least tapping your toes!
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).
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.
