The Cotswolds will be raising their glasses this month as Holy Water, Stroud celebrates its first anniversary. Mixologist Adam McVay opened the Lansdown venue a year ago, after moving his family to the Five Valleys to expand his successful events and drinks business — also called Holy Water.
Originally conceived as a private studio for research and recipe development, the space at 11 Lansdown, Stroud, quickly took on a life of its own.
“What began as a creative lab evolved into a hybrid venue; part cocktail bar, part community salon, blending fine craftsmanship, experimental hospitality design, and the warmth of a neighbourhood hangout,” Adam said.
“We never set out to open a bar,” he added. “It was meant to be a place to create, test, and play but Stroud showed us that people here are hungry for something genuine. Something made with love, a bit of mischief, and a shared sense of values, with the area.”
Since opening, Holy Water has become a fixture on the Cotswold weekend scene, known for its flavour-forward cocktails, sustainability-minded sourcing, vinyl DJs and a philosophy that bridges the high-end and the handmade.
“It’s a place where a champagne coupe meets a jar of wild-foraged herbs; where the world of luxury sits comfortably beside the work of local artisans, growers, and underdogs,” Adam said, reflecting on the venue’s first year.
Beyond Stroud, Holy Water continues to operate globally as an experience design studio, creating drinks-led activations for international clients, with upcoming projects in Dubai, India, and Hong Kong. The Lansdown site remains its creative hub. A headquarters, workshop, lab, and showcase; embodying Holy Water’s enduring ethos of ritual, creativity, and connection through drink.
At its heart, Holy Water is driven by a commitment to people and the planet. Every glass poured and every idea shared reflects a belief that great hospitality can be both beautiful and responsible.
“Holy Water Stroud has always been a passion project,” McVay said. “It’s never been about chasing trends or profit. It’s about creating something real, something that matters. It’s my interpretation of the future of drinking — and, in some ways, a response to what I see as the decline of true hospitality.”
“This journey was never about chasing luxury,” he continued. “It’s always been about the people who’ve understood what we’re trying to build — those who’ve stood beside us, shared the vision, and helped us grow something honest. For us, real luxury lives in the shared pursuit of excellence. In the craft, the courage, and the community that have shaped Holy Water from the start, all those years ago.”
Find out more on their website and follow along on Instagram.
