SOBR, SCOTLAND’S FIRST EVER ALCOHOL FREE BAR, TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON WEDNESDAY 22ND OCTOBER
Unique concept in Aberdeen’s Thistle Street will offer an innovative range of health boosting ‘cocktails’, together with hosting pop ups and events.
A new way of enjoying a night out is set to debut to the Aberdonian public on Wednesday 22 October. A 22-seater boutique bar and exclusive use space on 39 Thistle Street, SOBR is the first of its kind in Aberdeen, and the only current sober bar in Scotland.
With a stylish art deco inspired interior, themed on the building’s former use as a florist, the new independent business is the brain child of local entrepreneur, Kate Kenyon (33) who is self-funding the new venture to provide a welcoming and safe space for all.
Open Wednesday to Saturdays, 2pm to 10pm, SOBR is aiming to significantly increase the choice of zero drinks available to consumers in a bar setting, offering everything from non-alcoholic wine, spirits, beer, cider and cocktails, to a menu of non-alcoholic birthday ‘shots’.
Aiming to provide the customer with as much aesthetic pleasure as in drinking a regular alcoholic cocktail, the ‘cocktail’ menu has been carefully crafted by General Manager, Hayden Geraghty, and Consultant, Mark Robinson, to contain a mix of what they call “functional, health boosting ‘cocktails’,” drinks with a purpose, to boost and revive, making use of ingredients such as lion’s mane and activated charcoal, whilst other choices on the list represent pure flamboyance, with a range of seasonal and exclusive theatrical ‘cocktails’ rich in flavour, texture and beautifully garnished.
Hot drinks, and local coffee from Figment will also be on offer, with fellow Thistle Street independent businesses, patisserie Almondine, and Turkish bakery Pera Palace, on hand to provide a range of specially curated snacks and treats. To support as many local independent businesses as possible within the vibrant Thistle Street setting, Kate will rotate the food suppliers she uses.
She’s also planning to collaborate with them on events and pop ups.
Design features for SOBR include a custom-made bar, a “Lovers Neuk” double seat along one wall, and even a space to safely store your handbag.
Having suffered from kidney failure at a young age, which eventually led her to undergo two separate kidney transplants, Kate is one of many people who has to restrict her alcohol intake for health reasons. She’s also been inspired to bring an inclusive, alcohol free space to Aberdeen because of her close friend, Isla Nicoll’s journey to sobriety.
“I am incredibly excited to announce SOBR’s launch date,” said Kate. “This is my way of giving something back to Aberdeen. Having witnessed sober events and pop-ups in other locations, including LA, New York and London, I really feel that Aberdeen needs a venue like this.”
“Thistle Street is the perfect venue for this business, home to many other incredible independent businesses. Aberdeen is lucky to have this, and we need to all band together to make the very most of it, attracting customers to the City Centre,” said Kate. “I believe that SOBR opening its doors is going to be very powerful, and potentially life changing for many.”
Explaining that she had seen her friend, Isla “really thrive and become the best version of herself since giving up alcohol”, Kate said there would be no pressure to drink alcohol at SOBR, just the “warmest welcome possible” from her General Manager, Geraghty, who has more than ten years’ experience in the hospitality industry. He will oversee one full-time and several part-time staff.
“SOBR will be a home from home where you can put your feet up, relax and chill in a sophisticated atmosphere. It’s a place for people to feel safe and included while still having an amazing night with great company. It’s something unique for the city,” Kate said.
Having witnessed what she called a “very restricted selection of non-alcoholic drinks options” on numerous nights out with Isla, Kate wants SOBR’S clientele to feel valued, and good about their choices.
“You can come to SOBR, have multiple drinks, and still feel positive,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for people to align their health goals with going out for a great night and still being able to fully function the next day.” SOBR
“I think SOBR will mean so much to people who can’t or don’t want to have alcohol and still want to be like other people – to go out and have a drink, but can’t for whatever reason. It’s also a safe space for people who maybe don’t realise they are addicted to alcohol.”
Health issues aside, Kate has sensed a shift in the younger generation whom she says are “thinking more about their health and stepping away from the binge drinking that my generation did.”
“More needs to happen to make it socially acceptable to say that you don’t drink, as it can still carry a lot of stigma.”
In terms of her health boosting ‘cocktails’, “these will boost you up, calm you down, or detox you. You’ll certainly wake up the next morning feeling a lot better than you would have if you’d gone out drinking,” she added.
Kate sees another market for SOBR too. Parents on the school run or new Mums can pop in to the boutique surroundings for hot drinks, ‘cocktails and snacks as a way of catching up with one another.
Addressing critics who think an alcohol-free bar has “no point”, Kate’s response is that as an events space as well as a bar, SOBR is not a one trick pony: “If the bar doesn’t work, there is such a huge market in Aberdeen for third spaces, events space and pop ups. We will be doing so many other things, corporate and private events, festivals and so on. There is huge scope.”
Kate has stayed local in her choice of interior designer, with Angela Shaw Interiors pulling the decadent, vintage look together. Other local businesses currently involved in finishing the space ahead of the opening are Aberdonia Joinery Services, Painter, John Wedderburn, Electrician, Marley Fowler, and Caleb Todd from WaterWorks Plumbers.
Support has come from Business Improvement District, Aberdeen Inspired, a body which runs initiatives to support city centre businesses, and with whom Kate regularly volunteers.
Prior to the main public opening, Kate is to hold two soft launches with food and drink influencers and media, as well as local businesses in the area.
“We can’t wait to show off the space, and see what everyone thinks of the concept,” she said.
“If things go well, I would love to open SOBR somewhere else in the country. Watch this space!”
For further details on SOBR please check out the website at www.sobrbar.co.uk.
Details on Angela Shaw at https://angelashawartandinteriors.co.uk/SOBR, SCOTLAND’S FIRST EVER ALCOHOL FREE BAR, TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON WEDNESDAY 22ND OCTOBER
Unique concept in Aberdeen’s Thistle Street will offer an innovative range of health boosting ‘cocktails’, together with hosting pop ups and events.
A new way of enjoying a night out is set to debut to the Aberdonian public on Wednesday 22 October. A 22-seater boutique bar and exclusive use space on 39 Thistle Street, SOBR is the first of its kind in Aberdeen, and the only current sober bar in Scotland.
With a stylish art deco inspired interior, themed on the building’s former use as a florist, the new independent business is the brain child of local entrepreneur, Kate Kenyon (33) who is self-funding the new venture to provide a welcoming and safe space for all.
Open Wednesday to Saturdays, 2pm to 10pm, SOBR is aiming to significantly increase the choice of zero drinks available to consumers in a bar setting, offering everything from non-alcoholic wine, spirits, beer, cider and cocktails, to a menu of non-alcoholic birthday ‘shots’.
Aiming to provide the customer with as much aesthetic pleasure as in drinking a regular alcoholic cocktail, the ‘cocktail’ menu has been carefully crafted by General Manager, Hayden Geraghty, and Consultant, Mark Robinson, to contain a mix of what they call “functional, health boosting ‘cocktails’,” drinks with a purpose, to boost and revive, making use of ingredients such as lion’s mane and activated charcoal, whilst other choices on the list represent pure flamboyance, with a range of seasonal and exclusive theatrical ‘cocktails’ rich in flavour, texture and beautifully garnished.
Hot drinks, and local coffee from Figment will also be on offer, with fellow Thistle Street independent businesses, patisserie Almondine, and Turkish bakery Pera Palace, on hand to provide a range of specially curated snacks and treats. To support as many local independent businesses as possible within the vibrant Thistle Street setting, Kate will rotate the food suppliers she uses.
She’s also planning to collaborate with them on events and pop ups.
Design features for SOBR include a custom-made bar, a “Lovers Neuk” double seat along one wall, and even a space to safely store your handbag.
Having suffered from kidney failure at a young age, which eventually led her to undergo two separate kidney transplants, Kate is one of many people who has to restrict her alcohol intake for health reasons. She’s also been inspired to bring an inclusive, alcohol free space to Aberdeen because of her close friend, Isla Nicoll’s journey to sobriety.
“I am incredibly excited to announce SOBR’s launch date,” said Kate. “This is my way of giving something back to Aberdeen. Having witnessed sober events and pop-ups in other locations, including LA, New York and London, I really feel that Aberdeen needs a venue like this.”
“Thistle Street is the perfect venue for this business, home to many other incredible independent businesses. Aberdeen is lucky to have this, and we need to all band together to make the very most of it, attracting customers to the City Centre,” said Kate. “I believe that SOBR opening its doors is going to be very powerful, and potentially life changing for many.”
Explaining that she had seen her friend, Isla “really thrive and become the best version of herself since giving up alcohol”, Kate said there would be no pressure to drink alcohol at SOBR, just the “warmest welcome possible” from her General Manager, Geraghty, who has more than ten years’ experience in the hospitality industry. He will oversee one full-time and several part-time staff.
“SOBR will be a home from home where you can put your feet up, relax and chill in a sophisticated atmosphere. It’s a place for people to feel safe and included while still having an amazing night with great company. It’s something unique for the city,” Kate said.
Having witnessed what she called a “very restricted selection of non-alcoholic drinks options” on numerous nights out with Isla, Kate wants SOBR’S clientele to feel valued, and good about their choices.
“You can come to SOBR, have multiple drinks, and still feel positive,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for people to align their health goals with going out for a great night and still being able to fully function the next day.” SOBR
(Image: Newsquest)
“I think SOBR will mean so much to people who can’t or don’t want to have alcohol and still want to be like other people – to go out and have a drink, but can’t for whatever reason. It’s also a safe space for people who maybe don’t realise they are addicted to alcohol.”
Health issues aside, Kate has sensed a shift in the younger generation whom she says are “thinking more about their health and stepping away from the binge drinking that my generation did.”
“More needs to happen to make it socially acceptable to say that you don’t drink, as it can still carry a lot of stigma.”
In terms of her health boosting ‘cocktails’, “these will boost you up, calm you down, or detox you. You’ll certainly wake up the next morning feeling a lot better than you would have if you’d gone out drinking,” she added.
Kate sees another market for SOBR too. Parents on the school run or new Mums can pop in to the boutique surroundings for hot drinks, ‘cocktails and snacks as a way of catching up with one another.
Addressing critics who think an alcohol-free bar has “no point”, Kate’s response is that as an events space as well as a bar, SOBR is not a one trick pony: “If the bar doesn’t work, there is such a huge market in Aberdeen for third spaces, events space and pop ups. We will be doing so many other things, corporate and private events, festivals and so on. There is huge scope.”
Kate has stayed local in her choice of interior designer, with Angela Shaw Interiors pulling the decadent, vintage look together. Other local businesses currently involved in finishing the space ahead of the opening are Aberdonia Joinery Services, Painter, John Wedderburn, Electrician, Marley Fowler, and Caleb Todd from WaterWorks Plumbers.
Support has come from Business Improvement District, Aberdeen Inspired, a body which runs initiatives to support city centre businesses, and with whom Kate regularly volunteers.
Prior to the main public opening, Kate is to hold two soft launches with food and drink influencers and media, as well as local businesses in the area.
“We can’t wait to show off the space, and see what everyone thinks of the concept,” she said.
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“If things go well, I would love to open SOBR somewhere else in the country. Watch this space!”
For further details on SOBR please check out the website at www.sobrbar.co.uk.
Details on Angela Shaw at https://angelashawartandinteriors.co.uk/
