Sappho is a cafe and wine bar as well as a second-hand bookshop, and it has the loyal patronage of many local Sydney University students. The warm little shop has a huge range of books on every subject matter, and is one of those rare places in Sydney where you can sit for hours on end without feeling unwelcome or awkward about it. For the last few years, Sappho has also hosted regular poetry nights on the second Tuesday of every month.

The line-up often features well-known local poets like Kate Fagan, Les Murray, Judith Beveridge and David Malouf. Each night kicks off with three or four poets reading their own work, followed by open mic readings. If you're looking for a place to unleash your inner bard, arrive early at 7pm to sign up in person, and let the rhyming couplets flow.