yea man I'd try Apache, they have all kinda events goin on, from spoken word, to dred poets revival, to all out freestyle battles (Tuesday night "mic club", you'll probably see me there)

check http://www.apachecafe.info/ for details/calendar of events.. Apache is on 3rd street downtown, right behind Varsity.

Hope this helps, this is about the only place I know that isn't "bash your eardrum bass" type of environment.. then again, I'm not tryin to have a real deep conversation w/ a broad I meet in a club, know what I mean?? haha