An adults-only clay bar has opened on St George's Road in Kemp Town

The Slip and Rim^1,2, an adults-only pottery studio, has opened at 114B St George’s Road in Kemp Town. It announced on Instagram on 21 October that its Clay Bar was open, and on Sunday it posted that its first week was done.

The Clay Bar is a two-hour hand-building session. You start with about 500g of British clay and the studio’s handmade guidebooks, and staff help if you get stuck. It costs £24, which covers the clay and a house glaze. The studio fires and glazes what you make, then emails when it’s ready to collect. If you’d rather paint the piece yourself, you book a second visit, because the clay has to be fired first and that takes a couple of weeks.

The other session, Brush Play, is pottery painting: two hours, with an £8 studio fee plus the cost of the piece you choose. Some of the pieces are made in the studio, from shapes founder Anna made in earlier years. Others come from Brickett Davda in Portslade, where Anna worked for years as a studio assistant and mould maker. The Slip and Rim says it is the only place you can get Brickett Davda bisqueware to paint.

Both sessions are bring your own drinks, with a £3 a head charge for glassware, ice and recycling. The studio asks people to buy their bottle from one of its neighbours rather than a supermarket, and anyone who looks under 25 should bring ID if they bring alcohol. Friends can’t just come and watch: everyone at the table books and takes part, though carers are welcome.

In September, before opening, the owners posted a note to future customers about why they kept going: “When things have felt difficult it’s kept us moving towards a goal - sharing a love of clay with you all.”

Groups of eight or more can book as a party. Hand-building and nerikomi clay courses are due in 2027.