Candlelight Poetry Slam 2026 @ The Old Toll Bar
Schedule
Mon, 02 Feb, 2026 at 07:30 pm
UTC+00:00Location
The Old Toll Bar Glasgow | Glasgow, SC
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Poets and Spoken Word artists – Welcome! Join us in The Red Door Club.🏆🏆IT'S SLAM SEASON🏆🏆
We’ve missed a good slam, so we’re opening the floor to all who fancy a little bit of (absolutely meaningless) competition.
Here are the rules:
1. 3 Rounds – Rounds 1 + 2 have a 2 minute time limit, Round 3 (The Final) has a 3 minute time limit
2. Everyone performs in Round 1 and Round 2
3. Scores are combined and the Top 3 scorers go into Round 3 for The Final
4. All styles of poetry welcome!
Prizes: 1st place – £50 + entry into The Scottish National Poetry Slam on February 14th 2026
2nd place – £30
3rd place – £20
SIGN-UPS ARE OPEN
Sign up for the slam by messaging the Candlelight Open Mic at The Old Toll (A small number of sign-up slots will always be made available on the night for those who are not able to commit in advance!)
Settle into the soft light
Let the words wash over you
Share what you are comfortable with
Revel in the good company
The Old Toll Bar Glasgow, a refurbished Victorian Palace dating back to the 1870’s, is the most beautiful bar in the city. It’s the local everyone dreams of, and the perfect spot to share stories and good company. Come along to the Candlelight Open Mic to enjoy the poetry and the atmosphere in The Old Toll’s private event space.
Hosted by Ross McFarlane Poetry – Poet, performer and theatremaker from Glasgow. Co-founder and director of In The Works spoken word theatre company. Multiple slam winner, host of many nights, and Glasgow’s best support act for poetry and music!
Find the bar on Paisley Road West:
a 7 minute walk from Kinning Park Subway stop
a 9 minute walk from Shields Road Subway stop
a 9 minute walk from the Squinty Bridge
a 15 minute bus from the City Centre No. 38 McGills Bus to Paisley
a 15 minute bus from the City Centre No. 10 First Bus to Pollok
Accessibility: Unfortunately, the event space is down a flight of stairs, and there is no lift access. During performances, the space will often be low lit, however this can be easily adjusted – please get in touch with me if you wish to come along and this is an issue for you. Microphones use will be enforced for performances (unless under exceptional circumstances). Please contact Ross or The Old Toll if you have any worries about accessibility
Candlelight Open Mic is a place where everyone is welcome – unless you choose to act like a dick or in a way that makes others unwelcome. In this case, you are not welcome. This means: no sexism, no racism, no transphobia, no homophobia, no classism will be tolerated. No punching down, in or out of poems.
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Where is it happening?
The Old Toll Bar Glasgow, Little Luxe Make-Up & Beauty, 4 Admiral Street, Glasgow, G41 1HU, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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