📅 The Meetup Breakdown #78
Bitcoin meetups for the UK and Ireland for 12th - 18th January 2026. Plus new merchants now accepting bitcoin.
“Gold is just bitcoin that can’t be sent over the internet.” —Edward Snowden
We’re back and ready to go for 2026!
I hope you had a great Christmas and New Year. This has been the longest break ever for the newsletter!
A special shout-out to Richard, co-founder of The Running Bitcoin Challenge, for becoming a founding supporter of the newsletter over the break. Every penny of support goes straight back into promoting the newsletter and, in turn, spreading the word about the UK Bitcoin scene.
You can find details below on how to get involved with the Running Bitcoin Challenge yourself. It’s a brilliant way to raise money for a genuinely worthwhile cause that’s close to many bitcoiners’ hearts.
But first, let’s take a look at the week ahead.
This week’s sponsor is…
Upcoming Bitcoin Meetups
What We’re Up To This Week 📆
Monday
🍻 Dundee Bitcoin: Join them from 17:30 to 20:30 at The Wine Press, 16 Shore Terrace, Dundee DD1 3DN. This month’s meetup is on the 12th.
Tuesday
🎙️ Bitcoin Surrey: This month’s meetup features a fireside talk with Joe Bryan, as he gives an update on his meeting with the Swedish government. Join from 18:00–22:00 at The Castle, GU9 7HR, with the discussion starting at 19:00. Food is served from 17:00–21:00, and the group will be upstairs in the library.
🔐 Munk Night at Cyphermunk House: Enter the hallowed halls of Cyphermunk House on Tuesday the 13th at 18:30 for a session on coin mixing and membership.
🍺 Chilterns Bitcoin Hub: Join this friendly local community for everyone from beginners to OG’s. Head along to the George Pub, HP22 6JQ on Tuesday 13th from 19:00 - 21:00 to support them.
Wednesday
🍻 Glasgow Bitcoin: A welcoming space for anyone in and around Glasgow to connect and talk all things Bitcoin. Join from 18:00–23:00 at The Piper Bar, G1 1HL.
🍺 St Albans Bitcoin: This month the St Albans meetup is on Wednesday the 14th, from 19:00 to 22:00 at the The White Lion, AL1 1RN. Whether you’re new or experienced, there’ll be plenty of people on hand to answer questions and share insights.
Thursday
🍻 Twickenham West London: Join your fellow London bitcoiners at The Stewart Arms, W11 4TR, on Thursday 15th at 18:00 - 20:00. Everyone is welcome.
🍺 Bitcoin Beach Bournemouth: On Thursday at Chaplins Cellar Bar. 529 Christchurch Road, BH1 4AG, (Bitcoin accepted at the venue). You’ll find them in the Cogg Room at 19:30 or 18:30 for the 1-on-1 clinic sessions.
🍺 Liverpool Bitcoin: A growing community, dedicated to leveraging Bitcoin’s strengths to serve the people of Liverpool and the surrounding areas. Get along & help them build. This month their meetup is at the Railway Pub on Tithebarn Street, on Thursday 15th at 18:30.
🍺 Preston Bitcoin Meetup: This month at Lupo x JB, PR4 1HP at 19:00 on Thursday 15th. Bitcoin is accepted at the venue.
🍺 Brum Bitcoin & Beer: If you’re in the Birmingham area, head along to meet some fellow bitcoiners on Thursday 15th at 19:00. You’ll find them this month at The Wellington, Bennett’s Hill, B2 5SN.
Friday
☕️ Newcastle Bitcoin Coffee Morning Meetup: Every Friday morning at Pumphreys Coffee Centre and Brewing Emporium (bitcoin accepted). Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned maxi, head along to chat, share ideas, and connect with the local Bitcoin community from 10:00 to 12:00.
💜 2140.wtf 2nd Birthday: Celebrating with a Nostr meetup, presentation, food, music and vibes. At REinState, E16 2DN, 18:00 to 23:00.
Saturday
🚶♀️Bitcoin Walk - London: The London Bitcoin Walk will meet this SATurday at the Peter Pan statue in Hyde Park at 11:00. You can join the Telegram group chat (available at the link) for more details.
🚶🏽♂️ Bitcoin Walk - Edinburgh: Join fellow bitcoiners every Saturday at 12:00 for a walk around Arthur’s Seat. It’s a relaxed way to keep fit, enjoy the city, and chat about Bitcoin along the way.
Sunday
🍺 Bitcoin Sheffield: The Sheffield meetup is back and now at a new venue. Join them for their first meetup of 2026 at The Deli, S3 8UL in Kelham from 13:00 till 15:30.
New Businesses Accepting Bitcoin
🍽️ Bydand: A highly regarded, award-winning restaurant in Thurso on Scotland's northern coast offering refined farm-to-table dining with dishes featuring the finest local Caithness ingredients like Scottish salmon, sea bass, and slow-braised beef. Known for uits exceptional quality, thoughtful use of local produce, and warm, family-run hospitality in an intimate setting. Now accepting bitcoin.
Supporting this week’s issue…
⚡️ V4V Artist of the Week 🇬🇧
A featured track from a UK based artist releasing music using Value for Value.
If you like it, support them directly.
🎧 Artist: Joe Martin
Track: The Jetsons
Listen and zap on Wavlake
https://wavlake.com/track/076e6d0d-81e1-42d1-a0af-4a98ebb2e494
Get Involved
Volunteer: Passionate about merchant adoption? Reach out to Bridge2Bitcoin on Twitter or website.
Start a Meetup: Want to launch a Bitcoin meetup? We’ll support you. Contact us on Twitter or just reply to this email.
Contribute to BTCMaps: Help maintain this key Bitcoin resource—no coding skills needed. Update a UK area.
Telegram: Join our Channel for UK meetup updates
Feedback: Reply to this email with ideas and suggestions.
Get out and support the meetups where you can, visit Bitcoin Events UK for more info on each meetup and to find your closest on the interactive map.
Stay tuned for more updates next week!
Simon.
Founding Members Shout-out:
Roger9000 - Check-out his amazing music and Bitcoin work.
Psyfer - Pleb. Artist. Educator. Munk. cyphermunkhouse.com
Richard - Co-founder of the Running Bitcoin Challenge.
Support the newsletter by becoming a subscriber. Founding members get a shout-out each week.