The Poetry Brothel NYC: Past, Present, & Future

Find yourself immersed in a world traversing tangentially through Past, Present, and Future.

To your left, a vaudevillian daydream of a woman, dressed in an Edwardian ball gown, beckons you into a private room. To your right, the secret to time travel itself—ready to be whispered in your ear after you're hooked up to this odd contraption of a time machine. And in front of you: a stage show so enchanting and magical, you’ll forget what year it is.

This is The Poetry Brothel—a glamorous cabaret featuring the best poets in New York City, burlesque dancers, variety acts, and a live jazz band. Plus, there are opportunities to choose your own adventure, have unique and mysterious experiences, and connect with dazzling artists. Let us transport you to another time and place—one you never knew existed before.

Join us for our debut show at Dead Letter No. 9, a modern, immersive conversation parlor designed by the makers of Sleep No More.

Tonight is your night to discover something new and beautiful within yourself.

Arrive ready to express yourself to the fullest. You can choose a new moniker, make up an elaborate backstory, and have a mission of your own for the night. Are you from the Past, Present, or Future? You choose!

We highly encourage you to dress to impress. Vintage fashion, evening formal wear, characters, costumes, silk, lace, and lingerie are all fabulous choices.

Please take a look at our mood board for inspiration: https://pin.it/UFs5iaree

The Poetry Brothel is a 17-year-running immersive literary cabaret with chapters across the country—including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston. We are also international, with chapters in London, Amsterdam, Barcelona, and Madrid. However, the New York City chapter is the original group of poets and artists behind this worldwide phenomenon.

Blending poetry and vaudeville, intimacy and immersion, cabaret and activism, The Poetry Brothel is a show like no other. Whether you're a poet yourself, a fan of the art, or a lover of theatre, immersive experiences, or club culture—this show has something to delight everyone.

We are a collective of artists and poets with a mission to uplift our communities. We honor the sacred tradition of sex work by casting current and former sex workers, sparking conversations to destigmatize sex work, educating our audiences on consent and current issues in sex work, and donating a portion of all profits to GLITS (Gays & Lesbians in a Transgender Society). We aim to foster a safe space for sex workers, our LGBTQIA+ community, and our greater community of artists.

Good manners never go out of style! Behave with charm and connect with care.

The Poetry Brothel is a no-contact event, here to tickle your mind, heart, and spirit—nothing else! Always ask before touching anyone in our house, and report any discomfort to security, staff, the Madam, or the Maître D' without delay.

We are wheelchair accessible and will have seating available. Our show includes flashing lights, reasonably amplified music, and fog machines. We offer a limited number of Pay What You Wish tickets for those facing financial insecurity. Non-alcoholic drinks and food will be available. Please reach out to [email protected] with any questions or accessibility requests.

This event is 21+ with valid ID.

The Poetry Brothel NYC is brought to you by The Poetry Society of New York. Become a PSNY member for access to discounted and/or free tickets to future Poetry Brothel events—and so much more. Learn more at https://poetrysocietyny.org/join.

Info: Darlings, grab a drink, a typewriter poem, a private reading, and immerse yourself in the wonderful wide world of The Poetry Brothel at Dead Letter No9!

Info: Join Madame Sleaze as the not-so-honorable businesswoman behind this sexy operation and her delightful den of poets, burlesque, variety, and jazz performers!

Info: Party 'til dawn with your new poetry besties!

Event Venue

Dead Letter No. 9, 63 Grand Street, Brooklyn, United States