Legendary live poetry night Raise the Bar returns to Bristol Beacon with UK Poetry All-Stars – a huge celebration of the very best in contemporary spoken word.
Featuring headline performances from World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker and Ted Hughes Award winner Hollie McNish, plus more to be announced, this is a line-up packed with brilliance. Expect razor-sharp wordplay, heartfelt storytelling, and unforgettable live moments.
After a record-breaking 2024 edition, this raucous, energetic and life-affirming night returns bigger than ever. With DJ Ngaio on the decks and hosted by Danny Carlo Pandolfi, Raise the Bar once again brings together poets, lyricists and storytellers for an unmissable evening of powerful, moving and electrifying performance.
Presented by Bristol Beacon and Raise The Bar
Format: Reserved seating
Age: 16+ (Under 18s to be accompanied by an adult)
Performance times
Bars open: 18:00
Doors: 18.30
Start: 19.00
Finish: 21.30
All timings are approximate and subject to change
Ticket prices
This event uses a Pay What You Can ticket model which means you can decide the cost of your ticket. All prices listed here include booking fees.
Pay What You Can – Top Price: £28.00
Pay What You Can – Second Price: £22.40
Under 18 Concession: £16.80
Senior Concession: £16.80
Student Concession: £16.80
Unwaged Concession: £16.80
Hollie McNish
Hollie is an award-winning poet, writer and performer. She is the Sunday Times bestselling author of ‘Slug’ and won the Ted Hughes award for new work in poetry with her poetry & parenting memoir ‘Nobody Told Me’.
She has two further poetry collections, ‘Plum’ and ‘Cherry Pie’, one modern adaptation of the ancient Greek tragedy ‘Antigone’ and, alongside fellow poet Sabrina Mahfouz, co-wrote ‘Offside’, a play relating the history of UK women’s football. She loves writing and her live readings are not to be missed.
Harry Baker
World Poetry Slam Champion Harry Baker is a poet, a maths graduate, and a new father. His work has connected with millions online, from being shared on TED.com to making people cry through their TikTok and Instagram feeds, but he thinks it is even better in person. His previous collection Wonderful was accompanied by a 40-date sellout UK tour two years in a row, including headlining the Poet’s Revival at the Royal Albert Hall. His new collection Tender was published with Canongate in March 2026, and was a Sunday Times Bestseller.
About Beacon Hall
Our new flagship venue at Bristol Beacon
View Beacon Hall
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View Beacon Hall
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Seating plans
Seating plans
Beacon Hall has three levels that can be used in a seated or standing format. View seating plans, auditorium entrances and exits and accessible viewing areas.
Venue information
Venue information
Take a closer look at our beautifully restored venue, see what’s on and view detailed information about the performance space.
The venue
Beacon Hall
at Bristol Beacon
Getting to the venue
Location: Beacon Hall is located within Bristol Beacon. Head to Level 1 and follow signs to find the auditorium.
Address: Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR
Bicycle
Bicycle racks can be found in front of the main entrance on Trenchard Street, Colston Street, and on the city centre promenade. Find your nearest cycle routes using Cycle Planner.
Car parking
Trenchard Street multi-storey car park is 200m away, directly behind Bristol Beacon.
Bristol Clean Air Zone
Bristol Beacon is inside the Bristol Clean Air Zone. Check if your vehicle will be charged and how much you’ll have to pay.
Bus
Most bus services stop in and around the city centre promenade, 250m from Bristol Beacon.
Access
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users are in:
- row S in the centre of the rear Stalls (10 spaces)
- row Z in the left and right wings at the back of Lower Tier (4 spaces, 2 on each side),
- row Z on the right only at the back of Upper Tier (2 spaces)
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs and emotional support animals are allowed in the performance space. Seats in row F are most suitable. If you prefer, you can leave your animal with a member of staff during the performance.
Hearing Facility
A Sennheiser MobileConnect assistive listening system is installed in the venue. Download the free App and use your own mobile device and headphones to listen to the performance. (Devices are available on request.)
Eat & Drink
Eat & Drink
We’ve got plenty of places for you to relax and refill. From coffee and cake, to delicious sharing boards, to full menus.
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Select a date
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19:00