New Bristol venue Strange Brew to launch with video stream

A new venue in Bristol is opening tonight, virtually.

The local Dirtytalk collective launched a crowdfunding campaign to make Strange Brew a reality last May. Now, they’re ready to officially launch the Fairfax Street space, but due to the pandemic, they’re taking the opening party online.

With local station Noods Radio, Strange Brew’s launch party will broadcast from 7 PM to midnight local time tonight, August 20th. It’ll be a showcase of Bristol talent, with DJ sets from Batu, Shanti Celeste and Danielle, as well as live sets from Tara Clerkin Trio, Wojcieh Rusin and _DAMEFRISØR. Visuals will be by local artists Joe Evans, Lizzy Hoar, Laura Phillips, Max Kelan and Jasmine Butt.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has halted plans to use the space as a nightclub, Strange Brew will open at a lower capacity as a listening bar from mid-September. The venue also holds a record shop, cafe and art exhibition space.

Strange Brew’s opening comes at a tenuous time for Bristol nightlife. This week, Blue Mountain announced it will be closing down after 28 years in operation, while news of Lakota’s impending shuttering broke in April.