Following its official opening last month, which created a buzz in Aberdeen, SOBR, Scotland’s first alcohol free bar and events space, has outlined its plans to keep involving a host of local, independent food and drink suppliers, and other small businesses, in the bar’s offering to the Aberdonian public.
Planning to rotate its bar snacks menu every few weeks, between a range of different artisan pâtissiers, cheesemakers and bakeries in the City, customers at SOBR can look forward to enjoying something fresh and tasty with the bar’s range of drinks, which include zero options, alcohol free cocktails, and “functional” drinks with health giving properties.
In a collaboration with The Gourmet Cheese Company, an independent cheesemonger run by Kathryn Figueiredo in Rosemount for the past seven years, SOBR will hold its first “Cheese Week” this week commencing 17 November, with a second one planned for the week of 15 December.
Customers will be offered a choice of three to four artisan cheeses, including at least one Scottish cheese, along with chutney and crackers.
Future snack collaborations are planned with Fellow Thistle Street businesses, Pera Palace, a Turkish Bakery, known for delicious pogača and baklava, Almondine, which specialises in handmade French style macarons, and Social Impact Charity, The Bread Maker, which supplies bread products to many well-known restaurants in the Granite City.
“We’re very excited to announce our first ever Cheese Week, and all the forthcoming food collaborations we have planned at SOBR,” said Kate Kenyon, SOBR owner and local entrepreneur.
“Although we have only been open a few weeks, we’ve already had lots of people saying they particularly love a nice bit of cheese with drinks, so a cheese collaboration made perfect sense to kick things off. We are thrilled to be partnering Kathryn who runs The Gourmet Cheese Company; she has some incredible choices. If you are a cheese lover then you are in for a treat in the coming weeks!”
A volunteer with Aberdeen Inspired, which looks to put the vibrancy back into the City Centre, Kate said her desire to showcase small independent businesses “fits with our concept of supporting local and celebrating entrepreneurship.”
“I’d like to thank all our customers so far that have come along to support us. It has been fantastic to get this business, a real passion project of mine for so long, off the ground,” she said.
“Our drinks are going down very well with our clientele who have remarked that they appreciate the thought that has gone into them. By reaching out to these independent food and drink businesses in the City, and selecting high quality, delicious options that will keep changing, we are ensuring that there is as much care and attention in our snacks. And we are certainly not short of inspiration. This area has a huge selection of different cuisines on offer from all over the world. Aberdeen has always been something of a melting pot of cultures and tastes.”
Also serving as an events space, SOBR has two Christmas Wreath Making Classes planned, in a tie up with local florist, Flower Vogue.
Taking place on Saturday 29 November and Saturday 6 December (10am till noon), costing £70pp, those taking part can enjoy a delicious grazing cup from By Platter, together with a signature SOBR drink.
A recent well-being event, with collaboration from SOBR, has shown that the bar’s well-being ethos has started to spread beyond its own premises.
“We recently collaborated with Studio-Be that runs reformer pilates and barre classes,” said Kate. “They held a special event at their studio, on Carden Place, called Move, Connect & Sip with Us.”
Participants took part in a class, and then enjoyed a glass of our refreshing Bottega (non-alcoholic fizz) and one of SOBR’s signature cocktails. It was a big success, a chance for people to move their bodies, meet like-minded others, and enjoy an alcohol-free social experience focused on wellbeing.”
“We are keen to get involved in more events like this. Businesses can approach us to provide drinks and work on concepts.”
Kate finished by saying that SOBR’s space was available for hire to any small groups and associations that were perhaps looking for a space in which to gather for a sociable Christmas event.
“We have availability, so please don’t think it’s too late to find anywhere,” she said. “We would be delighted to speak to you.”
Situated at 39 Thistle Street, Aberdeen, SOBR is open Wednesday- Saturday, 2pm till 10pm. Booking is recommended, with walk-ins always welcome.
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Further details: www.sobrbar.co.uk.
