Entrepreneur opens Scotland's first alcohol-free bar

An Aberdeen local has opened what is thought to be Scotland's first ever alcohol-free bar. 

SOBR, a 22-seater boutique bar on 39 Thistle Street in Aberdeen, is the brain child of local entrepreneur Kate Kenyon (pictured left), who is self-funding the new venture. 

Open Wednesday to Saturday, 2pm to 10pm, Kenyon says 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.

"I am incredibly excited to announce SOBR’s launch,” she says. "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."

What's on offer

The drinks menu has been crafted by general manager Hayden Geraghty (pictured right) and consultant Mark Robinson. It features 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. 

Having suffered from kidney failure at a young age, which eventually led her to undergo two separate kidney transplants, Kenyon has to restrict her alcohol intake for health reasons. She says she has also been inspired to bring an alcohol-free space to Aberdeen because of a close friend's journey to sobriety.

“Thistle Street is the perfect venue for this business, home to many other incredible independent businesses," adds Kenyon. "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. I believe that SOBR opening its doors is going to be very powerful and potentially life changing for many."

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