January has a funny reputation. Everyone tells you it’s the quiet bit. The pause. The month of good intentions and early nights. But step through the doors at Stroud Brewery on a winter evening and you’ll quickly realise we’ve never been very good at going gently.
This January, the place already feels alive with possibility. The tanks hum, the bar glows, and there’s a sense that something might happen at any moment – which, frankly, it usually does.
First, a quick heads-up before the fun kicks in: from Monday 5th January, we’ll be running a slightly tweaked schedule to make sure you can find us when you need us – whether that’s for a cheeky pint, a hearty meal, or just to bask in the warm glow of the brewery.
The bar and venue will be open Sunday to Wednesday from 10am to 6pm, Thursday 10am to 9pm, and Friday & Saturday 10am to 11pm – last orders politely whispering their goodbyes ten minutes before close. The kitchen will be doing its own little dance with slightly different hours: Monday to Wednesday 11am–5:30pm, Thursday to Saturday 10am–3pm then 4pm–9pm, and Sunday 10am–5pm, with pizzas keeping their own slightly rebellious hours of 12pm–5pm on Sundays. Think of it as our way of easing gently into the new year, with plenty of room for pints, plates, and laughter. And don’t worry – we’ll keep reviewing and adjusting weekly to match how busy you lovely lot make us.
Right at the start of the month, on Friday 9th January, things get… swampy. Once a year, when the fog settles low over the Five Valleys and the puddles start to shimmer, Toadsmoor Sound returns for The Night of the Toad. It’s the kind of evening that begins with a normal walk into the brewery and ends with you realising you’ve somehow become a creature of the marsh. Bass ripples like water underfoot, drum and bass coils around your bones, and before long the dancefloor is full of frogs, goblins and humans moving as one amphibious mass. Heavy wobblers shake the lily pads, clean FM twinkles scatter like fireflies, and Drumocracy steps in to weave trance, DnB, techno and chaos into a swamp-born symphony. It’s immersive, mischievous, and gloriously ridiculous – the sort of night where January doesn’t stand a chance.
A little later, on Sunday 18th January, the pace changes entirely as ReLoved Club returns to the Balcony Bar. Here, you can wander among rails of pre-loved clothes, vintage gems and second-hand treasures, sip a pint, and feel the quiet thrill of giving things a second life. There’s something magical about seeing people hunt for hidden bargains while chatting, trying things on, and knowing that sustainability can be social, stylish, and fun all at once.
Then, as January reaches its crescendo, the brewery transforms again for BANDS4CHARITY on Saturday 31st January, lovingly curated by Bob Porter. From 2pm onwards, the taproom becomes a festival of live music, pints, and goodwill, with bands like Albino Tarantino, The James Oliver Band, Thee Ones, and Flamenco Thief filling the space with rhythm and joy. The air thrums with energy, the crowd dances, sings, cheers, and all the while they’re raising funds for Cheltenham & Gloucester Hospitals Trust. It’s the perfect reminder that music and community, beer and generosity, are a powerful combination.
All of this sits alongside the bigger picture we’re building for the year ahead. Some nights have become beloved fixtures. Stroud Brewery Keeps The Faith continues to fill the dancefloor with Northern Soul devotion, while Dub On Tap brings bass-heavy warmth and sound system energy that lifts spirits and shakes the walls.
We’re also leaning further into the sparkle. Our collaborations with Lace & Lashes continue to grow, and with Latina Ballroom firmly part of the family, drag is becoming an even bigger, bolder presence. On Friday 20th February, we’ll be throwing a neon-soaked, Spice-Girls-fuelled 90s Drag Night, where chokers are mandatory, attitude is encouraged, and queens Canvas, Eva More, Gert Lush, Latina Ballroom, and Shorti will bring pure throwback chaos. Prizes for the best 90s look only make it sweeter.
Not every night is loud, though, and we love that contrast. The Folk Bus rolls in with storytelling and music that transport audiences across deserts, centuries, and mythologies. On Thursday 12th February, Caravan of Dreams will carry listeners into Arabian Dreamtime with tales of flying horses, floating palaces, and dervishes dancing under stars. Then, on Wednesday 1st April, Trickster Makes This World will delight with mischief, chaos, and cosmic pranks – a reminder that the world is always richer with a little folly.
And for those looking for something a little different this Valentine’s, Saturday 14th February brings a full-on Ceilidh. With live music from Dobunni, a caller guiding everyone through spins and stomps, and a room full of laughter, it’s a celebration of love in all its forms – romantic, platonic, communal – where even first-timers find themselves twirling and grinning within minutes.
But beyond the fun, parties, and storytelling, 2026 at Stroud Brewery has a bigger mission: nurturing the local music scene. That’s where Budding Artists comes in. This is our commitment to giving grassroots acts a proper stage, supporting local artists and events promoters, and keeping entry prices accessible so everyone can join in. Budding Artists isn’t about big names or glitz – it’s about bands practising in garages, singer-songwriters testing new material, DJs spinning in front of a first crowd, and the incredible energy that bubbles up when communities back their own. Think of it as planting seeds of sound, letting them grow under fairy lights and sticky floors, and watching magic happen.
With a monthly Live Edition and occasional DJ Edition nights, Budding Artists celebrates everything from folk to indie, experimental sounds to electronic journeys, all in a room that feels like home. It’s about helping musicians grow their following, giving them exposure, and creating moments that will become part of Stroud’s musical memory for years to come. Supporting local isn’t just nice – it’s essential. Grassroots venues are where festivals begin, scenes flourish, and lifelong friendships are formed.
And for anyone who loves to belt it out, Hop Idol brings our monthly free-entry karaoke night to the balcony bar, offering a stage where courage, silliness, and sparkle are the dress code. Whether you’re belting solo, duetting with a friend, or just soaking up the community spirit, the night is all about high notes, big laughs, and pints flowing freely.
So while January and early February might look quiet from the outside, inside the brewery it’s anything but. There are toads croaking on 9th, clothes being reborn on 18th, guitars tuning and pints flowing on 31st, stories whisking you away on 12th February and 1st April, drag queens plotting chaos on 20th February, dancers spinning on 14th February, grassroots talent taking their first steps onto our stage throughout the year, and voices rising in celebration on Hop Idol nights. We’ll be here, pouring organic beer, opening the doors, and welcoming people in from the cold – now with slightly tweaked hours to make sure you have plenty of time to pop in, sip, eat, and laugh.
Because if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that the year should start exactly as you mean to live it – together, a little unexpected, full of joy, and fiercely supportive of the community that makes it all possible.
