Aberdeen’s late‑night economy has been dealt a fresh blow after the Revolución de Cuba cocktail bar in the city centre was confirmed among 21 venues shutting with immediate effect following the collapse of its owner, The Revel Collective. The group, which also trades under the Revolution, Founders & Co and Peach Pubs brands, has appointed joint administrators Lindsay Hallam, Matthew Callaghan and Oliver Wright of FTI Consulting LLP, who have completed two sale transactions for much of the estate.
The notice read: “Immediately on appointment, the Administrators completed two sale transactions for the business and assets of the Group: (i) a sale of Revolution, Revolucion de Cuba and Founders & Co to Neos Holdco Limited and certain of its subsidiaries, trading as Neos Hospitality and (ii) a sale of Peach pubs to Coral Pub Company Acquisition Limited, founded by Ted Kennedy. The transactions secure the continuation of 20 Revolution, Revolucion de Cuba and Founders & Co bars and 21 Peach pubs and protect 1,582 jobs across the sites and central support function. Regrettably 14 Revolution, six Revolucion de Cuba and one Peach site did not form part of the transaction and those sites are being closed with immediate effect impacting 591 employees.”
Revolución de Cuba Aberdeen, on Union Street, is among those closing, removing a prominent branded late‑night venue from the city‑centre circuit. It comes on the same day popular Aberdeen restaurant The Firepit confirmed its permanent closure, while BrewDog has also announced plans to axe its Aberdeenshire distillery and entire spirits range, adding to concerns about investment, jobs and choice in the region’s food and drink scene.
The group had already undergone a major restructuring in 2024, closing 15 under‑performing bars, but was later put up for sale amid weaker spending by younger customers, higher operating costs and a rising debt burden. The latest closures arrive in the wake of the UK Chancellor’s new business rates package for England, which will permanently lower bills for many hospitality properties south of the border, prompting warnings from Scottish trade bodies that a widening rates gap could leave venues in cities like Aberdeen at a growing competitive disadvantage.
Commenting on the Chancellor’s announcement and its implications for Scotland, Paul Togneri of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) said:
“Pubs across Scotland urgently need additional support. While we welcomed the reliefs announced in the Scottish Budget earlier this month, they simply do not go far enough. Without further action, many pubs will struggle to keep their doors open, and we risk losing jobs in communities across the country.
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“Even before the UK Chancellor’s announcement today, Scottish pubs were already facing significantly higher business rates bills due to the new lower poundage rate in England. The additional support announced today will now widen that gap further, making it even harder to attract investment into Scotland’s pub and brewing sector.
“The Scottish Government will receive additional funding as a result of this change. It is vital that Shona Robison honours her commitment to pass this on – and goes further – to protect pubs, safeguard jobs, and support an industry that is central to Scotland’s social and economic fabric.”
For Aberdeen, the loss of Revolución de Cuba alongside The Firepit and BrewDog’s local distilling ambitions reinforces a picture of a night‑time economy under strain, with knock‑on effects for neighbouring operators and confidence in the wider city‑centre hospitality offer.
