February can feel like an odd month – the sparkle of the festive season behind us, spring still whispering in the distance. It’s the perfect time to slow down, connect, and celebrate the relationships that make life meaningful. At Stroud Brewery Taproom, we’re proud to be more than just a place to grab a pint. We’re a community of communities – a space where life happens in all its shapes and forms.
Hospitality isn’t just about food and drink. It’s our third place – the backdrop to birthdays, first dates, milestone celebrations, and quiet moments of connection. It’s where memories are made, friendships are nurtured, and laughter fills the air. Stroud Brewery is all of that – and more. From casual drop-ins to lively gigs, the Taproom offers something for everyone.
The Heart of Connection: Free Social Spaces
Every Monday, 12:30–2:30pm, our Over 60s Social Table –The Conversation Corner welcomes anyone ready for a chat. No need to book, just bring yourself and maybe a friend. Grab a coffee, a pint, or a bite to eat, and let the conversation flow.
On Tuesday mornings at 10am, parents and carers can join Babies & Bumps, a free social table for sharing stories, swapping tips, and enjoying a rare moment of adult company. Tiny humans are welcome too!
For builders big and small, LEGO Club meets every week in the Balcony Bar, 4:30–6pm. Kids of all ages (with a grown-up in tow) are invited to dive into a world of imagination – build your own creations, join a shared masterpiece, or just tinker and chat. A big box of LEGO is ready and waiting, and extra bricks are always welcome. Creativity should never cost a brick, and at LEGO Club, small builders, big ideas, and good vibes are guaranteed.
For book lovers, Borderless Book Club meets on Tuesday 10th February, 6:30–7:30pm in the Main Bar. This relaxed group explores books from around the world – fiction, non-fiction, and everything in between. All are welcome, even if you haven’t finished the book! Differing opinions are encouraged in a respectful, inclusive environment. Free to attend, but you can support the club by ordering your copy of the book through their bookshop.
For anyone passionate about the planet, Green Drinks at the Brewery happens on Thursday 26th February, 7:30–9:30pm in the Balcony Bar. This free, informal networking event is for anyone working, volunteering, or just curious about sustainability. Come meet like-minded folk, grab a pint, enjoy tasty Taproom food, and join good conversation with zero agenda. Thanks to sponsors, the first 10 people on the sign-up list get a free drink!
These weekly gatherings show the Taproom at its best: a space where people of all ages find belonging, spark imagination, share ideas, and make connections – brick by brick, page by page, pint by pint, plant by plant, smile by smile.
Gigs, Music, and Celebration
There are few better ways to spend an evening than live music. Whether you’re in the middle of a warm weekend or unwinding after a long day, small venues like Stroud Brewery Taproom make every note feel alive. While high-budget, arena-style shows are impressive, it’s these intimate spaces that are essential – nurturing new artists, building connections, and giving music lovers a level playing field to enjoy, discuss, and share.
Friday 6th & 20th February: Five Valleys Folk Session – bring your instrument or just a pint, and soak up traditional Irish and Scottish tunes in a cosy, free, community-driven gathering.
Thursday 12th February: Folk Bus presents: Caravan of Dreams – an evening of storytelling and original folk music inspired by Sufi myths and folktales from across the Islamic world. For me, the allure of folktales is how they weave the ordinary and magical together. Unlike fairytales, which happen in castles far away, folktales root themselves in the everyday – a miller up the lane, a merchant in town – making the extraordinary feel as if it could touch your own life.
With flying horses, floating palaces, sprites, giants, merfolk, and even a panther, these stories create wonder that feels immediate and personal. Middle Eastern folklore, from the Epic of Gilgamesh to One Thousand and One Nights, blends history, culture, and imagination, offering timeless lessons on bravery, friendship, and resilience. Modern storytellers continue this tradition, breathing life into ancient tales while reflecting
contemporary voices and perspectives. The intimacy of a small venue makes the experience all the more magical – you don’t just listen, you become part of the story.
Friday 13th February: Big Sis DJs’ Galentine’s Bash – a high-energy, multi-genre dancefloor that celebrates love in all its forms. Neon, glitter, and big vibes – come solo, with pals, or your chosen partner.
Saturday 14th February: Valentine’s Ceilidh – live folk music, guided dances, and laughter. Bring a date, a group of friends, or just your dancing spirit; it’s all about connection, joy, and festival-style vibes.
Friday 20th February is all about 90s Drag Night -a full-blown cultural moment right here in the Taproom. Drag and the 90s might feel like different worlds, but together they create pure magic. Drag has grown from a subculture into a joyous, bold, funny, emotional, and deeply human phenomenon. Pair that energy with the 90s, a decade of messy fashion, big pop moments, and realness over perfection, and you’ve got a night that celebrates community in the most vibrant way.
Why do we love it so much? Nostalgia, yes, but also the shared experience of coming together. Millennials are reliving it, Gen Z are discovering it through thrifting and pop throwbacks, and everyone in between gets swept up in the thrill of being part of something expressive, rebellious, and joyous. It’s a night to throw on neon, glitter, and chokers, to dance like nobody’s watching, and to connect with others who just want to celebrate creativity and self-expression.
At Stroud Brewery, 90s Drag Night isn’t just about costume or nostalgia – it’s about the people in the room, the laughter, the cheering, the shared delight of being together. It’s a reminder that community comes in all forms, and that sometimes it’s the loud, colorful, glitter-filled moments that make us feel closest. Big or small, loud or quiet, first-timers or seasoned fans, everyone belongs here. It’s a night to celebrate friendship, fun, and freedom – a Taproom that thrives on bringing diverse communities together under one roof, all sharing the same joyous space.
So dig out your iconic 90s pieces, channel your inner pop star, grab a pint or a cocktail, and let the music, colour, and energy sweep you up. This is more than a night out -it’s a reminder that in this community of communities, there’s room for everyone to shine, laugh, and dance like it’s 1999.
For rugby fans, the Men’s Six Nations 2026 comes alive in the Taproom with table seating, big screens, and a family-friendly atmosphere. Whether you don’t want to squeeze the whole family into a crowded pub or fancy a more social spot than watching alone at home, Stroud Brewery is the perfect place to soak up the action. Grab a pint, settle in with your loved ones, and enjoy every try, tackle, and conversion in comfort. It’s a festival-style setting where everyone from grandparents to little ones can cheer, laugh, and feel part of the game – because community isn’t just about music or workshops; it’s about sharing the moments that bring people together.
Local venues aren’t just about music; they bring people together socially and culturally. They give fans a chance to reconnect, make friends, and experience artists up close – the intimacy of a small venue creates a magic that big arenas simply can’t replicate.
Wellbeing, Creativity, and Teen Spaces
Half-term welcomes Teen Wellbeing Retreats on Friday 20th February, 2–4pm, combining yoga, mindfulness, and playful movement in a safe, supportive environment.
For those with a creative itch, Ink Drawing & Painting Workshops take place on Friday 20th, 6:30–8:30pm. Guided by experienced artists and inspired by nature, these sessions let you explore textures, techniques, and your own imagination.
Hospitality: More Than a Pint
At its core, hospitality is where life happens. It connects us, supports us, and shapes our communities. From quiet mornings at the Conversation Corner to roaring dance floors at Galentine’s, the Taproom embodies the emotional, cultural, and social value of hospitality. Every event, every table, every interaction strengthens the threads that bind us together.
As Joan D. Chittister said, “Hospitality is the way we come out of ourselves. It is the first step towards dismantling the barriers of the world.”
Whether through music, food, drinks, or simple conversation, Stroud Brewery Taproom offers that first step – over and over again.This February, whether you’re stopping by for a pint, a chat, a ceilidh, a LEGO build, a book discussion, a sustainability meetup, or a creative workshop, know that you’re part of something bigger: a vibrant, inclusive, and joyful community of communities.
