Gloucester is getting a brand-new craft beer bar and live music venue this October 2024.
Now under the ownership of Andy Holian — who owns two other bars in Portishead and Lancashire — the former Jax nightclub is currently being transformed into new craft beer cafe The Thirsty Pine.
Its main bar will offer 34 craft beers on draught, while its smaller specialist Belgian beer bar will offer eight beers on draught and around 100 bottles, all imported directly from Belgium.
The area at the front of the building, facing the Museum of Gloucester, is being opened up into a bright and airy coffee shop space which will be open from 8am — with bottled beers available from 10am, giving it a continental cafe vibe.
And as well as a beer garden, which will host food pop-ups before the kitchen opens in the near future, The Thirsty Pine also boasts a 400-capacity live music venue, complete with stage and dance floor, which will host a wide variety of acts and aims to bridge the gap between heritage venues like Gloucester Guildhall and grassroots venues like Cafe Rene.
When asked what drew him to Gloucester, Andy said he saw a gap in the market for craft beer in Gloucester. While venues like the Hop Kettle and Gloucester Brewery do a great job of making and serving their own craft beers, there aren't many venues with a large variety of craft and Belgian beers, aside from smaller pubs like The Pelican.
After being one of Bristol's craft beer pioneers back in 2012, he hopes to bring that same spirit to The Thirsty Pine in Gloucester, but with a larger venue that he can 'really get his teeth into.'
Having been looking at places in the city for a while — including one option at Gloucester Docks — Andy ended up getting his heart set on the former nightclub, saying 'it's a great event space I can do so much with and has a great cellar!'
The new venue will also create 12 to 15 new jobs for the local community. Blair Charlton, who was formerly at The New Inn on Northgate Street, has been appointed as the general manager, along with four other full-time staff members — with a variety of part-time positions also available.
The Thirsty Pine officially opens its doors on Saturday 12 October 2024.
