The Hopstar Number 39 Brewery Tap

About the Bar

The bar is located just a few yards from Darwen's centre known as the 'Circus'. You'll find us in the lower pedestrianised part of Bridge Street. If you are arriving by car there is free parking directly opposite. By public transport, you have only a 1 minute walk from the Bus Station or about 7 minutes from the Railway Station.

The bar itself is quite small with a capacity of around 90. The tables and chairs layout gives it a warm 'jazz cafe' ambience. Out the back we have a sheltered smoking area furnished with low tables and 4 very comfortable sofas.

About the Beer

The Hopstar brewery is also located nearby in Darwen. It was founded by the bar's co-owner, Barry Tyson as a hobby to produce some great local beers using only the finest ingredients - we don't do cheap. The enjoyment is in producing good quaffing ale where folk come back for more. To affirm our beers are top-notch, Hopstar Real Ales have won over 20 awards nationwide. Visit the Hopstar Brewery website to learn more.

The bar also sells draught Real Ciders and Perrys from independent cider makers and was voted CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year in 2014 and again in 2017. We also stock a range of famously strong Belgian beers and lagers.

About the Music

Oh the wonderful music! Don't come here expecting an average 'pub band', live music at Number 39 is well aside from that beaten track. We cater for Jazz, Reggae/Ska, Blues, Western/Bluegrass/TexMex, World/Folk and Roots music as well as other alternative styles.

In 2000, Terry Walsh, the other co-owner, formed Darwen Music Projects to organise the 1st Darwen Live Festival. Since this initial fix, he, and Gary Ward, who runs the gigs at 39, have been addicted. Against all odds, they have strived, to bring to as large a local audience as possible, a broad range of music and musicians - from a Brazilian Air Force Samba Band (trombone, bass trombone, trumpet and drums) to the amazing Mrs Cakehead (several lunatics from Bacup), touching, on the way ; Tuvan throat singing ; Italian Tarantella (sung by Carlo, from Carlo's Deli) ; Hohodza Band and their Fabulous Dancing Queens (Zimbabwe) and a goodly amount of Modern Jazz.

Now DMP have their own venue, they have drawn on their experience and contacts to bring some absolutely splendid music to Number 39. Since the venue started Gary has built up an ever expanding web of music industry connections, which bring professional top quality musicians to our small bar. His reach goes beyond just the UK and he has brought us performers from Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, America, Africa, Venezuela and more.

In fact previous artistes that have appeared at Number 39 include; Andy Kershaw, Attila The Stockbroker, Henge, Kyla Brox Band, Butterfly Jam feat Melanie Williams, Honeyfeet, Baked A La Ska, Dave Ellis, Victor Brox, Tantz, Trevor Roots & The Collaborators, Dread Supreme, Gideon Conn, Kirsty Almeida, Jeremy Sassoon & Luke Flowers, John Ellis Trio, TwoManTing, Age Of Glass, World Service Project, Schnellertollermeier, Merry Hell, Extra Love, Kiki Deville, Captain Hotknives, Graham Clark, Edwina Heyes, Matt Woosey, The Hut People, Mambo Jambo and many many more!

Live music is every Thursday night at 9pm and is normally free admission. We also run additional events dependant on artist availability so keep an eye on our listings to the left.

Darwen Music Projects is a voluntary, non-profit making organisation.