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What is Laureate’s Lounge?
Where poets come to plug in, speak out, and take up space.
Every second Tuesday of the month, we turn Thames Side Brewery (Staines-upon-Thames) into a buzzing little corner of the underground arts scene. A mic, a spotlight, a room full of people who actually listen. Poets, spoken word artists, lyricists, storytellers, first-timers, veterans, the quietly curious… everyone is welcome.
Running 6:00 PM – 9:30/10 PM, the Lounge is part open mic, part hangout, part creative kickstart. Expect original poetry, raw honesty, experimental work, unexpected brilliance, and the kind of community vibe you don’t always find in the arts, all with craft beer flowing and good conversation between sets.
Whether you're stepping up for the first time or already moving in Surrey’s poetry circles, this is your space to try something new, stretch your voice, and connect with people who get it. No pretence, no pressure — just poetry and the people who love it.
Looking for open mics in Surrey? Want to find new voices? Ready to share your own?
This is where it’s happening.
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Poetry for Everyone
At the Laureate’s Lounge, we believe poetry should be accessible to everyone — no barriers, no pressure, just pure creative expression. That’s why every month we guarantee at least one Pay It Forward ticket, funded directly by the Laureateship. On top of this, our generous community of poets can also purchase additional Pay It Forward tickets, helping ensure that cost never stands between a writer and the mic.
These tickets are available on the door only, offered on a first come, first served basis. So if you’re itching to share your work but finances are holding you back, come down early and claim your spot — no questions asked. Your voice deserves to be heard, and we can’t wait to welcome you into the room.
What our Community Says
Previous Headliners:
Cecilia Knapp
Briony Hughes
Pete Cranmer
Imogen Wade
Humus
Sian Marie
Elaine McGinty & Joe Buckley
Adam W. Venables
Kieran Edwards Hocking
& many more!
Our next Lounge:
FAQs
Do I have to pay as an audience member?
Nope! General admission is totally free.
We want as many people as possible to experience poetry and spoken word, so we keep the door open (literally and metaphorically).
That said, we’re an unfunded non-profit, so donations on the night — even small ones — make a huge difference.
How long are performer sets?
Each slot is 5 minutes.
On packed nights, we keep to this strictly so everyone gets their moment in the spotlight.
On quieter evenings, poets who purchased a slot may be invited to read a bonus second set at no extra cost.
Can anyone attend?
Absolutely. Everyone is welcome — poets, friends, curious newcomers, brewery regulars.
We only ask that all guests respect the performers.
Please keep noise to a minimum during readings; we hire the venue specifically for the Lounge and reserve the right to ask disruptive guests to leave.
Do I have to prove my need to claim a Pay It Forward ticket?
Never.
There is always at least one Pay It Forward slot funded by the Laureateship, with more sometimes donated by our amazing community.
These are available on the door only, on a first-come, first-served basis, and no questions are ever asked.
If finances are a barrier, just come early and claim your place.
How can I support the Lounge?
There are loads of ways to help keep this night alive, and every bit of support genuinely matters.
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Monetary donations on the night (even the price of a coffee helps us keep the mic open).
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Donate prizes for our bi-monthly raffle. These raffles are one of the key ways we fund venue hire and running costs.
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Spread the word. Word of mouth is powerful, and our community grows because you talk about us.
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Share your night with us on socials. Photos, videos, stories, poems — and tag us so we can celebrate with you.
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Bring friends, bring first-timers, bring people who don’t think poetry is their thing (yet).
Your support, in any form, helps us keep building a thriving, accessible, grassroots poetry scene in Surrey.
What are the timings?
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Doors: 6:00pm
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Show begins: 6:45pm
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Finish: Around 9:30pm (sometimes closer to 10pm on full nights)
You’re welcome to slip out early if needed — just avoid leaving mid-poem so no one loses their flow.
Is the Lounge a safe space?
Yes — intentionally so.
We leave the outside world at the door. The Lounge is a place to be real, raw, messy, emotional, experimental, or joyful — whatever your voice needs.
We use trigger warnings to respect everyone’s boundaries.
We do not tolerate hate speech, discrimination, or harassment.
Also… be prepared for community quirks like Mexican waves and the iconic “Ooooh… shiny!”
If you know, you know.
Additional Questions
How do I sign up to perform?
Performer tickets should be booked in advance via our website. Attend early to claim the best seats, warm up, and meet your fellow poets. On quieter evenings, pending availability, slots can also be booked on the door.
Can I perform music or mixed-media pieces?
Yes — the Lounge welcomes spoken word, lyricism, rhythmic poetry, and hybrid pieces.
We are not currently set up for full musical sets, but minimal accompaniment is welcome.
If your set requires more than a microphone, please aim to arrive with plenty of time to arrange this.
Is the venue accessible?
Thames Side Brewery provides ground-floor access and accessible facilities. If you have specific needs, feel free to contact us ahead of time so we can support you.
Can I bring friends who just want to watch?
Definitely. The Lounge thrives when the room is full of supportive listeners.
Is photography allowed?
Generally, yes, but please avoid flash during performances.
If you’re a photographer hoping to shoot the event professionally, contact us first.
What if I need to cancel my performer ticket?
We understand things happen. If you can no longer make it, please cancel your slot 7 days in advance where possible, via your confirmation email, so another poet can take your place.
Do you have student pricing?
Yes! Students get a discounted performer rate — check our ticket page for current pricing.