First Thursdays on Gandy Street

About

This summer, Gandy Street is the place to be for the brand-new First Thursdays.

Taking place on the first Thursday of each month from June to September, the street will come alive with a vibrant early evening festival atmosphere, celebrating Exeter’s independent spirit with entertainment, shopping, food, and plenty of summer energy.

All your favourite businesses on Gandy Street and in the surrounding area will be open, including:

Boston Tea Party will be hosting an indoor market with Circular Social, featuring stalls from eco-conscious businesses offering sustainable goods. The bar will be open for drinks and hashbrown style street food.

Food and drink

Red Panda will reopen for evening service with their favoured bao buns, Exeter Phoenix will be serving food alfresco, Pixy's will be serving Soul Pizza by the slice and Chococo will have a host of mini treats including signature hot chocolate, mini gelato sundaes, and quarter cakes.

Shopping

Many of the shops will be staying open late to join in on the action, including Alchemy Boutique, Bang Olufsen, Flamingo Vintage, Floren Flowers, and Wand Vintage. The Maker Mart will be holding a Makers Sale featuring 'Meet the Maker' and Mantis will have a table of offers exclusively for the event.

Entertainment

First Thursdays will bring a festival atmosphere to Gandy Street. The first event coincides with the Exeter Comedy Festival, with surprise comedy pop-ups and previews of upcoming shows throughout the evening. Visitors can also enjoy live music, jugglers and face painting, alongside pop-up Seed Talks from the University of Exeter, a pilates demonstration from The Haven Pilates Studio, and more.

Cocktails

With several of the city's favourite cocktail bars found on Gandy Street, First Thursdays was always going to include a colourful tipple. The Cocktail Club, Crocketts, Cooling's, Pixy's, and The Mermaid have joined forces to create the Cocktail Collective, with each venue developing a signature drink for the event. Expect everything from pina colades limoncello-inspired flavours, all with a special twist.

Exeter Phoenix

Experience creative activities spilling out of the front entrance, with dance demonstrations and various activities.

Exeter Library

Attend 'Writing in the City', a live Royal Literary Fund panel featuring Edson Burton, Rebecca Tantony, and Babs Horton from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, with tickets at £4 including readings and an urban writing discussion. The foyer area will also be open as a book nook.