Artisan Tap
The Artisan Tap is a small, intimate live music venue in Hartshill, Stoke-on-Trent, established in 2017 by Wayne Lucas and Ruth Horsley. The building was originally a prop-making workshop for the New Vic Theatre and is adjoined by Cafe Artisan and Artisan Music Studios. With a standing capacity of approximately 100, the venue programs a diverse range of genres including Folk, Punk, Rock, Metal, and Acoustic acts, hosting both original music and covers. It also organizes open mic nights, book and record sales, creative craft evenings, themed festivals, and charitable fundraisers. The atmosphere is described as having “considered comfort,” with low, warm lighting and varied seating, creating an intimate and lively environment. The venue is known for its friendly vibes, a curated selection of real ales, craft lagers, an extensive gin collection, and is dog-friendly. Architecturally, it features a stone-floored main room with a serving counter, a stage at the rear, and seating along the left, giving it the appearance of an underground cellar bar without being subterranean. The Artisan Tap was awarded CAMRA Potteries Pub of the Month in January 2019 and boasts a superb sound system with a house engineer.
