TOGETHER WITH
Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop - the local newsletter that's like when the cinema seat next to you stays empty 😄
There's plenty happening around town this week - from topical satire and competitive jigsaw puzzling (yes, really) to Detroit pizza, an emo day party, plus art exhibitions, bingo raves, and loads more.
Whatever you're up to, have a good one and I'll catch you on Wednesday!
Andrew.
P.S. Know someone else who’d enjoy the Scoop? Please forward this email to them and ask them to subscribe free here 🙂
Sponsored by the National Waterfront Museum
Family Paint Along This Valentine’s Weekend 🥰
Join The Paint Along Lady for a fun filled, creative Family Paint Along session at the National Waterfront Museum on Saturday, February 14th.
This is fun art, not fine art, so bring the whole family to create your very own masterpiece at two sessions: Valentine’s Lovebird (10.30 AM) or Valentine’s Lovebug (2.30 PM)
Expect music, laughter, and step-by-step guidance to help everyone create colourful artwork to take home.
Artist Claire Timbrell has been selling out venues across Wales and spots always fill fast, so book your ticket below and make memories to treasure.
Tickets cost £16 per person, or £55 a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children)
WEDNESDAY'S SCOOP (ICYMI) 🦢
In the late 19th century, a group of Swansea businessmen had an ambitious plan - to build a grand indoor swimming baths and public laundry right on the edge of the bay, at a time when most people still washed clothes by hand and braved the chilly waters of Swansea Bay.
Except, not everything went, well… swimmingly (sorry!).
This week, dive (apologies!) into the story of Swansea’s Victorian baths - featuring muddy seawater, financial trouble, and wartime destruction.
THE DIGEST 📰
🏗️ A new image shows how Swansea’s Civic Centre could look after redevelopment and plans will go on public display next week.
♻️ New recycling containers for glass, cans, and cardboard have been approved by Swansea Council.
🛬 The Wales Airshow returns to Swansea on July 25th - 26th, 2026.
🚧 In the city centre, a new image shows how the area around St David’s could look after redevelopment - named Porth Copr.
🎭 There were rave reviews for the Welsh National Theatre’s first production, Our Town, starring Michael Sheen, at Swansea’s Grand Theatre.
🇺🇸 A 93-year-old Swansea gran flew to America to watch a parade she fell in love with after seeing videos on YouTube - and got treated like royalty.
FOOD & DRINK 🥙
Sponsored by Bistrot Pierre Mumbles
Mumbles’ most unforgettable dining experience with stunning panoramic sea views across Swansea Bay. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or our upcoming six-course Soirée Gastronomique evening on Tuesday, January 27th.
Email: [email protected]
Call us: 01792 824117
Website: https://www.bistrotpierre.co.uk/locations/mumbles/
🍽️ The Patti Pavilion is hosting an ABBA-themed bottomless Brunch on Saturday, January 31st.
🍽️ ND John Wine Merchants in Uplands is hosting a Winter Warmer Supper Club on Thursday, January 29th.
🍽️ The Pizza Boyz is launching a new Detroit-style pizza, served on Tuesday nights.
@SWANSEA.SCOOP 📱
This week, we featured a hidden gem in Swansea city centre. SimRace1* has been on Swansea High Street since 2017, offering one of the city’s most unique and immersive activities - 8 connected racing simulators with multiple screens, pro-grade steering wheels and rumbling seats that let you race some of the world’s top tracks - ideal for claiming bragging rights amongst your friends!
It’s perfect for groups, birthday parties, corporate events, or just escaping the rain for an hour of amazing fun! Or if you’re flying solo, race single-player against the computer or online! Can you top the leaderboard?
The need to know
📍 30-31 High Street, Swansea SA1 1LG
⏰ Open Thursday-Sunday (plus Wednesday for groups of 6+)
💷 60 minutes from just £12
🎟️ Book online at simrace1.com, DM @simrace1.swansea or call 07368 309848. Walk ins welcome!
*The above is partnered content.
Don’t forget to follow us on social media! We’re at over 30K followers on Facebook, 23K on Instagram, and 5K on TikTok!
SWANSEA PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT 🏡
This 3-bedroom semi-detached house in Pontarddulais has a modern kitchen extension with integrated appliances and quartz worktops, and is 5 minutes from the M4 motorway. Offers over £235,000 with No. 86 Estate Agency.
🛍️ SWANSEA LOCAL BUSINESS
Local business owners: Want to promote your business here? Sponsor this section and reach thousands of Swansea readers every week. E-mail [email protected] for info and pricing.
🐸 Plantasia is opening a new venomous creatures area this month - Vital Venoms & Practical Poisons.
🖊️ CJCH Solicitors has opened a new branch on Walter Road, its sixth location in Wales.
🥯 Dead Happy Kitchen has opened on Norfolk Street in the city centre.
🛩️ Wingwalking experiences are coming to Swansea Airport in April and September 2026.
⛳ Two new golf simulators are opening in Swansea - Par & Co. at the Albert Hall in the city centre (January 31st) and Clubhouse 1872 at Ware-house Gym in Cwmdu, which opens this week.
SWANSEA SHOUT OUTS
🍦 Fortes Ice-cream Parlour is looking for a Front of House Assistant Manager to join its team.
🎯 The Mill pub in Brynymor has launched a new Ladies Darts Club.
🏢 Communities for Work+ Swansea is hosting an Employment Support Open Day at Y Storfa on February 5th.
👶 The Magenta Project UK is looking for mums-to-be in Cwmbrwla, Manselton, Brynhyfryd, and Gendros to take part in a study - with a shopping voucher for those who take part
🚶 The Swansea Ramblers is looking for new members to join its guided walks in and around Swansea - your first three are free!
Got something to shout-out to Swansea? Let us know!
Sponsored by Single Parents Wellbeing
Free Family Fun Day in Swansea 👨👦
Single Parents Wellbeing is hosting its final Swansea Big Meet Up on Sunday February 22nd from 1–3pm at The Collaboration Station in Swansea city centre.
The event is open to single-parent, co-parenting and blended families - with Welsh crafts, music, games, DJ’ing, food, sensory spaces, therapy dogs, and more. All ages welcome!
Booking essential – reserve your place now.
WHAT’S ON
Monday January 26th
🎨 The Wind from the Feet of the Dead: Nigel Hurlstone's new exhibition at Mission Gallery explores 'dressing-up,' featuring self-portraits in diverse outfits blurring practical and emotional boundaries. Until April 4th.
11 AM - 5 PM | Free
🎭 Our Town: Experience Thornton Wilder's Our Town, reimagined through a Welsh lens, starring Michael Sheen at Swansea Grand Theatre.
Various dates and times until January 31st | £20 - £31
👴 Ageing Well Activities for 50+: Enjoy activities in Swansea, including movie and soup specials, coffee mornings, bowling, and social walks.
Various times | Free
🎊 COAST Activities: This week includes an invite to check out Oriel Science’s free sight and sound exhibition.
Tuesday January 27th
📝 RNLI Charity Quiz Night: Get your thinking caps on for a charity quiz night at The Oyster House in Mumbles in support of the RNLI - the winning team gets a one-night B&B stay for two.
7 PM | £5 per person
Wednesday January 28th
🎨 Swansea Illustrators Club Visual Metaphor Workshop: Join the Swansea Illustrators Club at Elysium Gallery & Bar for a 2-hour workshop exploring visual metaphors inspired by New Year's Resolutions.
7 PM - 9 PM | £6.50 - £8
📽️ David Lynch Film Night: Enjoy "Wild at Heart" on a new cinema screen at Volcano Theatre, a David Lynch classic about young lovers on the run.
Doors 6.30 PM | £3
Thursday January 29th
🥁 Dementia Friendly Gallery Tour and Drumming Session: Experience a drumming session and gallery tour at the National Waterfront Museum for those living with dementia and their caregivers.
1 PM - 3.30 PM | Free
🎭 Glantawe Theatre Company: Jack and the Beanstalk: Join Jack on a fun-filled adventure to rescue the Princess from the Giant Blunderbore in this panto from the Glantawe Theatre Company. Until Sunday, February 1st.
Dates & Times Vary | Adults £12, Concessions £10
Friday January 30th
🍳 R'n'B Brunch: Enjoy a groovy R'n'B Brunch presented by Blackmagic Entertainments at The Swigg.
5:00 PM | £5
🦩 Flamingo Bingo: Join the fun at Slug & Lettuce with a DJ, free bingo rounds, cocktails, and prizes.
12:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Free
🎨 Uplandish Artist Talks: Painter James Sherwood and ceramist Dawson Edwards share insights about their work. Open to all at Tides Fine Art Gallery, Uplands.
6 PM – 8 PM
🎧 Julian Fijma + CUE Residents: Catch DJ Julian Fijma at Bambu on Wind St as he makes his Swansea debut.
9 PM | £24.40
Saturday January 31st
🎭 Dead Ringers - 25th Anniversary Tour: BBC Radio 4's iconic topical satire show celebrates 25 years at Swansea Arena - featuring original cast members for a night of classic sketches and impressions.
7.30 PM | From £34.75
🧩 Swansea’s first-ever (probably) Jigsaw Competition: Grab a friend and head to Common Meeple for a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle challenge, with a £50 prize for the winners.
6.30 PM | £15 (includes puzzle to keep)
🎸 Elder Emo Day Party: Join the first-ever emo summer day party at Sin City in Swansea, featuring anthems from My Chemical Romance, Paramore, and more.
4 PM - 8 PM | From £11.49
🧼 LUSH Monthly Making Workshop: Join LUSH for a monthly bath bomb or bubble bar making workshop. All materials provided, suitable for ages 5+.
12.30 PM | £5
🍴 Uplands Market - January: Indulge in delicious fresh food and handcrafted goods at the monthly Uplands Market, held at Gwydr Square.
9 AM - 1 PM
📽️ Cinema & Co.nnection - Punch-Drunk Love: Enjoy a social cinema night with drinks, games, and the film "Punch-Drunk Love" at Cinema & Co. Swansea.
6.30 PM | £7.50
🖼️ Weekend Adults’ Workshop – Linder, Collage Gelli Printing: Create painterly monoprints with collage and laser-printed images using Gelli plates, at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.
10.30 AM | £5
🎉 Bingo Lingo: Join Swansea's wildest bingo rave at Patti Pavilion for a night of stage battles, crazy rounds, and prizes.
6.30 PM | £14 - £17.85
🛍️ Kilo Sale: Join the Salvation Army Donation Centre in Gorseinon for its first kilo sale of 2026.
Shop opens at 9 AM
📸 Photography Club: Join the Swansea Photography Club led by artist Sheree Murphy at Elysium Art Gallery. Sessions feature portraiture explorations inspired by renowned photographers.
Last Saturday of the month, starting Jan 31st 2026 | 2 PM - 4.30 PM | £15
🔬 Science Corner: Hands on Sight & Sound: Explore fun activities from making a coffee cup guitar to conducting experiments with vision at Oriel Science. No booking needed. Saturdays in January | 10 AM - 4 PM | Free
🔬 Saturday Sessions: Sight & Sound: Explore sight and sound in the animal world with interactive workshops at Oriel Science, including eye and ear structures, animal vision experiments, and noise-making activities. Saturdays in January at
11 AM & 2 PM | Free
Sunday February 1st
🎪 Vicky Park Market: The monthly pop-up foodie and makers market returns to at Victoria Park with a new name, but same great vendors.
10 AM - 2 PM | Free
🩰 Sleeping Beauty Ballet: Enjoy Guzel School of Classical Ballet's adaptation of the classic Sleeping Beauty ballet, with enchanting music by Tchaikovsky and choreography by Guzel Atymtayeva.
2 PM | £14
🎾 Swansea Tennis Centre Open Day: A free tennis party welcoming all ages and abilities, featuring four coaching sessions.
10 AM - 2 PM | Free
🚌 Running Day at Swansea Bus Museum & Transport Heritage Centre: Explore vehicle displays, model railway, slot car layout, and kiddies play area at the museum's Running Day.
10 AM - 3 PM
Contribute to the Scoop 💌
Swansea Scoop is 100% free to read, independently run, and written right here in Swansea.
If reading the Scoop has become part of your week - helping you find things to see or do around town - you can help us by making a contribution.
Your support allows us to share even more fun stuff, local stories, and to keep celebrating the best of Swansea.
Thank you!
Andrew 🙏
LIVE MUSIC 🎸
Monday January 26th
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Noah’s Yard | Jazz Club | 8.30 PM
Tuesday January 27th
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM
Tangled Parrot | Neil O Lochlainn’s Cuar | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | Midnight Rodeo | 6 PM
Wednesday January 28th
The Swigg | Dave O’Higgins with Dave Cottle Trio | 8 PM
Thursday January 29th
Friday January 30th
Ty Tawe | IVW26: The Gentle Good and Bethan Nia | 7 PM
Ty Tawe | IVW26: Eve Goodman + SERA | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | Half Happy | 7 PM
Saturday January 31st
Urban HQ | Saturday Sessions | 1 PM
Elysium | Head Noise | 7 PM
Pontardawe Arts Centre | The Specials LTD | 7.30 PM
Sunday February 1st
Elysium | Melody Shads, Scotty and Nel Jenkins | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | The 9075 | 7 PM
THANKS 😊
Thanks for reading the Swansea Scoop. If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend who would find it useful as well.
Catch you on Wednesday!
Andrew.
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