January Sessions: Trying Something New in Exeter
Who says a great night out needs a drink in your hand? InExeter’s January Sessions programme proved there’s a whole world of creative, social evenings waiting to be discovered across the city, and the good news is, you don’t have to wait until next January to try them.
January has a reputation. The decorations come down, the bank balance looks grim, and the long dark evenings stretch out ahead with none of the festive sparkle to soften them. It’s the month we’re all supposed to be resetting, resolving, and (if we’ve signed up for Dry January) navigating the slightly awkward question of what to actually do on a night out when you’re not drinking.
Let the January sessions commence!
This year, InExeter decided to answer that question with January Sessions: a curated programme of activity-led, no and low alcohol evenings across Exeter’s independent businesses. Hands-on workshops, creative experiences, and relaxed social vibes in some of the city’s most characterful spaces. It was a concept that went well beyond simply removing alcohol from the equation- it was about reimagining what a night out can look like.
As someone who spends a lot of time championing Exeter’s independent businesses and unique experiences through Exploring Exeter, the January Sessions programme felt like it was made for people like me – curious, open to trying something new, and always on the lookout for a different kind of evening in the city. When the opportunity arose to attend a session, I didn’t need to be asked twice.
My Evening at Bird & Blend Tea Co.
Of all the events on the January Sessions programme, the Cocktail Tea Mixology workshop at Bird & Blend Tea Co. on the High Street was the one that caught my eye. Tea-based mocktails? I had to see this for myself.
I should confess that despite Bird & Blend being right there on Exeter High Street, I’d never actually been inside before. Walking through the door on a Friday evening was an immediate sensory experience: shelves lined with beautifully labelled tins in every colour, the scent of dozens of tea blends filling the air, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that felt more like stepping into a friend’s kitchen than a shop.
The session was led by Aaron, Bird & Blend’s manager, who greeted our small group of about seven with infectious enthusiasm that immediately put everyone at ease. There was a genuine excitement about tea and what you can do with it when you start thinking beyond the teapot.
And what you can do with it, as it turns out, is extraordinary.
Over the course of the evening, we made five different tea-based mocktails, each one more surprising than the last. We started with an Appy Spritz – a rooibos and bitter orange blend served over ice with apple juice, rose syrup, and sparkling water, garnished with an orange slice. It was light, fizzy, and refreshing. The kind of drink you’d happily order at a bar without feeling like you were missing out on anything.
Next came the Mojitea, Bird & Blend’s clever twist on the classic mojito, made with its Mojitea blend, lemonade syrup, sparkling water, and a lime-and-mint garnish. Then a Cococabana Cooler – a tropical hibiscus punch that was fruity and vibrant – followed by a beautiful Peaches & Cream Matcha Fizz that combined matcha with vanilla syrup, apple juice, and sparkling water, topped with a peach slice.
But the star of the evening, and I’m not just saying this, was the Spicy Marg. Made with Bird & Blend’s Spicy Marg chilli lime green tea blend, apple juice, honey syrup, and diet lemonade, garnished with a chilli and lime wheel, it had the kind of kick and complexity that made me genuinely forget I wasn’t drinking a cocktail. It was bold, zesty, warming, and absolutely delicious. If you’d handed it to me at a party, I would never have guessed it was made from tea.
Aaron and the team talked us through each blend, explained the flavour profiles, and encouraged us to experiment. The atmosphere was relaxed and social, with plenty of conversation flowing between people who’d arrived as strangers. We left with printed recipes so we could recreate the drinks at home, and I left with something else too – a completely new appreciation for what tea can be.
I’d walked in curious, and walked out converted!
What Was on the Programme
January Sessions brought together a brilliant mix of independent businesses across Exeter, each offering something different. The programme included craft nights at Bunyip Craft on Fore Street, where participants could try their hand at embroidery, jewellery making, sewing, and sustainable patch-and-mend techniques. Positive Light Projects on Sidwell Street hosted artist-led Inky Fingers Workshops featuring collage and origami. Over on Fore Street, The Jolly Pottery ran evening pottery painting and mug making sessions. Chococo on Gandy Street hosted Sporkcoco, an evening of poetry, spoken word, and live music – culture and chocolate, hard to argue with that combination. And Exeter City of Literature ran a Silent Book Club at 12 Bar Music & Social on Paris Street: bring a book, find a seat, and enjoy quiet reading in good company.
Each event offered something that felt genuinely sociable and creative, without any alcohol.
You Don’t Have to Wait Until Next January
Here’s the thing that excited me most about January Sessions: it highlighted experiences that don’t disappear when the calendar turns to February. The programme was a pilot, but the businesses involved run workshops and events throughout the year – and many of them are happening right now.
Get crafty
Bunyip Craft has workshops running through February and March, covering everything from sewing skills to jewellery making and mending techniques. If you missed the January sessions, there’s every chance something similar is coming up soon – check their social media or pop into the shop on Fore Street to find out what’s next.
Two for tea?
Bird & Blend Tea Co. regularly host events and tastings beyond their January mixology sessions. After my experience, I’d recommend keeping an eye on their listings – whether it’s a seasonal tasting or another mocktail workshop, it’s well worth an evening of your time.
Design your own pottery
The Jolly Pottery runs evening sessions at different points throughout the year, so if the idea of spending a weeknight painting pottery or making your own mug appeals, you’ll get your chance.
Get nerdy!
And the Silent Book Club with Exeter City of Literature runs monthly at 12 Bar Music & Social, so you can make it a regular fixture in your diary. It’s one of those beautifully low-key evenings that prove a great night out doesn’t have to be loud or late.
Mindful Crafting
I have also been to a few sessions with Rosy at La Vie En Rose Makery. she runs a variety of workshops from her space, I opted for SLOW crafting session. I spent a few hours crafting with some wonderful women and it was a real tonic. I let them both know that I’m not really very crafty, and they suggested I have a go at sewing a material collage. I made the colourful piece in my pics (swipe!) It felt great to just sit, stitch, and chat. There was no pressure to be perfect, we relaxed and chatted with good company and pretty fabrics. The space at La Vie en Rose Makery is gorgeous (as to be expected when you know Rosy’s work – The Glorious Arthouse was her creation).
The hope is that January Sessions itself will return and grow. This was a pilot programme, and InExeter’s ambition is to build on it year after year, creating an annual fixture that gives people a reason to get out and try something different in the quietest month of the calendar. But in the meantime, Exeter’s independent businesses are offering these kinds of experiences year-round, January Sessions just made them easier to discover.
Exeter’s Purple Flag: A City That Takes Its Nights Out Seriously
The spirit behind January Sessions feels particularly fitting given that Exeter city centre has recently been awarded Purple Flag accreditation – a nationally recognised mark celebrating towns and cities that offer a safe, well-managed, and vibrant evening and night-time economy.
The Purple Flag award recognises places where people can enjoy a night out with confidence, supported by strong partnership working, a diverse offer, good transport connections, and a clear focus on safety and wellbeing. The accreditation followed a comprehensive assessment by the Association of Town and City Management (ATCM) and was led by InExeter in partnership with Devon and Cornwall Police, Exeter City Council, Exeter College, the University of Exeter, transport providers, cultural venues, and local businesses. ATCM commended Exeter’s inaugural application for its diverse night-time economy, strong partnerships, and prioritised safety agenda.
Nicola Wheeler, CEO at InExeter, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Exeter has been awarded the prestigious Purple Flag accreditation. This achievement highlights Exeter as an exceptional city for a night out. Our businesses and partners are committed to ensuring the wellbeing of all who come to enjoy the evening atmosphere.”
Exeter’s night-time offer extends well beyond traditional drinking-led activity, with theatres, museums, live music venues, restaurants, events, and public spaces all contributing to a more inclusive and balanced evening economy. Patrick Cunningham, Director at Exeter Phoenix, summed it up well – “The city is a place where creativity thrives after dark, with a rich mix of independent venues creating nights out you simply won’t find anywhere else.”
Purple Flag status reflects a coordinated, city-wide approach to managing Exeter after dark – underpinned by visible policing, expanded CCTV coverage, late-night transport options, and a growing programme of cultural, community, and family-friendly activity. It’s the kind of recognition that confirms what many of us already know: Exeter is a brilliant city for a night out, whether or not there’s a drink involved.
A Different Kind of Night Out
January Sessions is, at its heart, a really simple idea: give people interesting, creative, social things to do in the evening that don’t revolve around alcohol. But simple ideas are often the best ones. What InExeter created was a programme that celebrated the city’s independent businesses, offered genuine experiences rather than gimmicks, and proved that a great night out is about the people, the atmosphere, and the experience – not what’s in your glass.
I went to Bird & Blend expecting to make a few nice drinks. I came away having discovered a shop I’ll now visit regularly, with new skills I’ll use at home, and having spent an evening laughing with a group of strangers who all had the same thought: why not try something different?
That’s what January Sessions are all about. And with so many of these businesses offering similar experiences throughout the year, there’s never been a better time to explore a different kind of night out in Exeter.
January Sessions was a pilot programme of activity-led, no- and low-alcohol evenings curated by InExeter. To find out more and explore the programme, visit the January Sessions page. For more on what’s happening across Exeter’s city centre, head to InExeter.
Words and photography: Steph, Exploring Exeter
Tags: Devon, Exeter, InExeter