Calling all musicians, poets, and performers! Join us for an electrifying Open Mic Night at the Chill Room every Wednesday. Show off your talent, share your creativity, and enjoy a night of unforgettable entertainment and of course killer Mocktails!
Event Specials:
Calling all musicians, poets, and performers! Join us for an electrifying Open Mic Night at the Chill Room every Wednesday. Show off your talent, share your creativity, and enjoy a night of unforgettable entertainment and of course killer Mocktails!
Event Specials:
Calling all musicians, poets, and performers! Join us for an electrifying Open Mic Night at the Chill Room every Wednesday. Show off your talent, share your creativity, and enjoy a night of unforgettable entertainment and of course killer Mocktails!
Event Specials:
A space built for poets. Not a party. Not a showcase. A night for words that hit, hearts that listen, and a community that feels and connects. This curated poetry-only open mic designed to spotlight authentic voices and create a home for spoken word in the East Valley.
Expect powerful voices, intentional vibes, and a crowd that respects the mic.<br>No rap. No R&B. Just poetry — raw, honest, and unfiltered. Sign up to perform. Open mic slots are limited — early sign-ups encouraged. We’re handpicking a featured poet each month to close the show. Open mic slots are limited — early sign-ups encouraged. We’re handpicking a featured poet each month, set to close the show.
Recognized as the best open mic in the country, don’t miss the show in Phoenix ! wanpoetry.com
We’re excited to celebrate our 12th anniversary in Phoenix!
Write About Now is the preferred destination of poetry for thousands of individuals each year. Our poetry events have become a bucket list visit for poetry lovers who drive and fly from across the country to attend our shows every single week.
Our shows, poets and poetry videos have received popular acclaim garnering attention and shares from celebrities like Sophie Turner, Lily Allen, Lenny Kravitz, LeAnn Rimes, Chance The Rapper, Juan Gotti, Misty Copeland, Thomas J. Hilfiger, Busta Rhymez, Marc Jacobs and more.
Write About Now Poetry has been covered by, featured by or collaborated with some of the largest media networks in the world, including Vibe Magazine, AfroPunk, Huffington Post, Upworthy, Diet Prada, MasterClass, POPSUGAR, Everyday Feminism, We are mitu, Word Porn, BuzzFeed, Remezcla, HiHo, George Takei, A plus, Blavity, For Harriet, Houston Chronicle, Texas Monthly, Whataburger and more.
This coverage and support has helped Write About Now become one of the most popular poetry groups in the world building a following of more than 2 million individuals across the @wanpoetry Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, which has helped poets reach tens of millions of viewers online.
Our open mics are open to ALL.
Come see some of the best poets, singers and more from all across the greater Phoenix area share original works of art.
Our signup lists go up at 2 pm when the doors open. Most individuals start arriving before then to guarantee a spot on the list.
First come. First serve.
Line up to be announced! Get your tickets now!!
Doors Open 2 pm | Show Starts 2:30 pm
Full Bar and Food Menu Available!
Large Groups and Birthdays Are Welcomed! More info or Questions email wanpoetry@gmail.com.
Paid parking available near the venue.
Tickets available HERE.
February 15, 2026 | Esso Coffeehouse
The Esso Poetry Open Mic is a recurring, community-focused event held every third Sunday of the month at Esso Coffeehouse & Roastery (4700 N. 12th St., Phoenix),. The event typically begins at 5 p.m., with sign-ups for performers opening around 4:45 p.m.. Readers are generally given 5 minutes each to share their work.
Check their Instagram (@essocoffeehouse) for specific, up-to-date monthly details and featured artists.
Musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets are welcome. Performers are allowed two songs or two poems not to exceed 10 minutes total. This includes set-up and take down. Musicians must provide their own instruments or recorded music. CDs and iPods are preferred. Covers and original music are welcome. Microphones, music stands, P.A. system provided. No cover charge.
About host, Walt Richardson: Walt Richardson is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is most known for his work with reggae and world music ensembles Driftwood and Morning Star. He is a celebrated music veteran in the Tempe, Arizona area where his humanitarian contributions to the music community and music in schools (with an emphasis on cultural diversity) have been recognized with numerous awards.
Musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets are welcome. Performers are allowed two songs or two poems not to exceed 10 minutes total. This includes set-up and take down. Musicians must provide their own instruments or recorded music. CDs and iPods are preferred. Covers and original music are welcome. Microphones, music stands, P.A. system provided. No cover charge.
About host, Walt Richardson: Walt Richardson is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is most known for his work with reggae and world music ensembles Driftwood and Morning Star. He is a celebrated music veteran in the Tempe, Arizona area where his humanitarian contributions to the music community and music in schools (with an emphasis on cultural diversity) have been recognized with numerous awards.
Musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets are welcome. Performers are allowed two songs or two poems not to exceed 10 minutes total. This includes set-up and take down. Musicians must provide their own instruments or recorded music. CDs and iPods are preferred. Covers and original music are welcome. Microphones, music stands, P.A. system provided. No cover charge.
About host, Walt Richardson: Walt Richardson is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is most known for his work with reggae and world music ensembles Driftwood and Morning Star. He is a celebrated music veteran in the Tempe, Arizona area where his humanitarian contributions to the music community and music in schools (with an emphasis on cultural diversity) have been recognized with numerous awards.
Musicians (acoustic preferred) and poets are welcome. Performers are allowed two songs or two poems not to exceed 10 minutes total. This includes set-up and take down. Musicians must provide their own instruments or recorded music. CDs and iPods are preferred. Covers and original music are welcome. Microphones, music stands, P.A. system provided. No cover charge.
About host, Walt Richardson: Walt Richardson is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. He is most known for his work with reggae and world music ensembles Driftwood and Morning Star. He is a celebrated music veteran in the Tempe, Arizona area where his humanitarian contributions to the music community and music in schools (with an emphasis on cultural diversity) have been recognized with numerous awards.
