Contact River & Bean

Planning a booking, coffee order, fundraiser, event, Fresh Ayr Fund proposal, River Cottage conversation or some professional help? Email us.

We are booking-led, not open daily for drop-ins, so please check before making a special trip.

Address

River & Bean 13 Old Bridge Street Ayr KA7 1QA

We are the black door near the Old Bridge Street signs. It may be easier to search for number 15 Old Bridge Street when navigating.

Email

hello@riverandbean.co.uk

Phone

Where it makes sense, confirmed bookings and members can have a phone contact.

Privacy on This Holding Site

This holding site uses no analytics, tracking cookies or contact form. If you email us, your message leaves the site and is handled through ordinary email.

The interactive planner can remember route choices in your current browser tab. It does not save the group size, access notes or message you type into the planner, and it does not send anything unless you choose to open the prepared email yourself.

FAQ

Are you open as a normal cafe?

We are not a daily daytime drop-in cafe. We have published Dry Bar evenings, private hire and events by arrangement, collections, and evening deliveries Tuesday–Sunday. Monday nights are closed every week.

Can I just turn up?

Come in during published public Dry Bar hours, subject to any announced closure. Outside those hours, arrange your visit with us before travelling. The venue is not staffed for daily daytime drop-in access.

Grand opening and private hire

Daytime private hire is available by arrangement throughout our grand opening, 25 September–4 October, including Monday daytime. Events are TBC. Online booking for daytime and evening private hire opens on 11 October 2026, subject to availability. Monday evenings remain closed for now; Monday daytime stays available to book. Until online booking opens, email us to arrange hire.

Can I book the space?

Yes. River & Bean is available for private hire, organisation use, meetings, workshops, support groups, fundraising, training, creative sessions and small private events.

How much is private hire?

Standard private hire is £100 for 3 hours or £175 for 6 hours.

Weekend and event hire is £150 for 3 hours or £250 for 6 hours.

Standard hire includes two jugs of filter coffee, one caffeinated and one decaf, plus a small selection of teas and instant coffee.

Can we bring food?

Yes. External catering is welcome, and we can help arrange local catering where useful.

How many people can attend?

We can seat up to around 30 depending on layout. Around 25 is more comfortable for longer sessions.

Do you offer charity or community rates?

Possibly. Supported pricing can be discussed for charities, community groups, clubs, support groups, official student groups, for-good projects and eligible members. The price depends on how you will use the room, the booking pattern, membership or subscription route and any fundraising.

Can we run a ticketed event?

Potentially, yes. If it suits the space and we agree the setup, you can plan tickets, event merch, drinks or fundraising products with River & Bean. You remain the organiser; we provide the room and any agreed sales support.

Can ticket sales cover the hire cost?

They may help cover or reduce the hire cost, especially for fundraisers, workshops, talks, launches, club events and charity events.

Full hire payment is required before the event starts. At River & Bean's discretion, ticket sales processed through our system may be used toward the hire balance.

Can we use our own payment provider?

Yes, where agreed. You may take payment yourself in cash or through your own payment provider, while using River & Bean to manage the event listing, tickets and attendance.

Alternatively, River & Bean may process ticket sales, subject to agreement to our event conditions.

What notice do ticketed events need?

Ticketed events require at least 72 hours notice, agreement from River & Bean, and a non-refundable hire deposit before ticket sales begin.

What happens if a ticketed event is cancelled?

If ticket purchases were made through River & Bean, ticket buyers will be refunded if the event is cancelled.

Organiser refunds are handled separately. Once an event is published on the River & Bean site and ticket sales have begun, organiser refunds are not normally available in full. River & Bean may deduct incurred costs from any agreed refund.

Organisers using River & Bean payment processing must agree to reimburse or be re-billed for refunds, reversals, chargebacks and post-event payment issues linked to their event.

What is a Base of Operations booking?

It is a private booking that gives a group a practical base in Ayr during a trip, event, outing or activity day. Your group can gather, leave bags, make drinks, regroup, charge phones, use facilities and avoid trying to coordinate everything from a pavement like civilisation has failed. Which it often has.

Is the venue accessible?

The current venue is a basement space and is not step-free. Please contact us before booking if anyone attending has mobility, access, sensory or support needs.

Are you still doing coworking?

Not as a daily drop-in offer. Quiet work may still be possible through a private booking, organisation use, partner-led session or a future limited block.

When is the Dry Bar open?

The launch runs Friday 25 September–Sunday 4 October 2026, 6pm–midnight, except Monday 28 September evening when the Dry Bar is closed. Thereafter, the public Dry Bar opens every Friday and Saturday, 6pm–midnight, starting 9–10 October. Private hire and events are available at other times by arrangement; Monday nights are closed every week.

When can I order a delivery?

Evening deliveries continue Tuesday–Sunday, including nights when the public Dry Bar is not open. No deliveries on Monday nights or other announced closures. Email to discuss your order, delivery area and timing; online ordering is still being rebuilt.

What is the Fresh Ayr Fund?

At least 1% of every River & Bean transaction goes into the Fresh Ayr Fund. Each quarter, we look at eligible applications and proposals, active registered members can vote, and we report the decision and what happened next.

Is the Fresh Ayr Fund a charity?

No. The Fresh Ayr Fund is not currently a charity, trustee fund or independent charitable grant-maker. It is a transparent River & Bean commitment to reserve and disburse part of trading income for common-good use.

What is River Cottage?

River Cottage is a possible future route for more accessible public events, community use and private hire. It is an ambition, not a promise. River Cottage may be proposed for a Fresh Ayr Fund disbursement alongside other eligible organisations, clubs and projects.

Can my organisation partner with you?

Yes. We are interested in partnerships around support sessions, training, fundraising, coffee, Happy Coo treats, trusted organisation membership, access improvements, governance and common-good use.