Public reaction pours in as Aberdeen prepares for alcohol-free bar launch
Aberdeen’s first alcohol-free bar, SOBR, is set to open on Thistle Street this October, and the announcement has sparked a flood of reactions from locals, with many praising the move as a welcome addition to the city’s social scene.
The 20-seat venue, created by entrepreneur Kate Kenyon, will offer guests the atmosphere of a night out without alcohol, inspired by the growing ‘no and low’ movement seen in cities such as Manhattan, Los Angeles and London. Opening Wednesday to Sunday from 2pm to 10pm, SOBR will serve an extensive range of alcohol-free wines, beers, spirits, ciders, cocktails and celebratory ‘shots’, alongside locally roasted coffee, seasonal mocktails and snacks from local food producers.
On Facebook, Aberdeen Business News readers were quick to share their thoughts — and for many, the idea struck a chord. One commenter wrote that the venue would be perfect for “meeting friends after work and driving home… in an environment where people weren’t screaming and shouting by 8pm”. Another added: “Not everyone wants to spend their evening amongst intoxicated people. Alcohol is one of the biggest killers and Scotland has one of the highest rates of death from alcohol… instead of flippant juvenile Facebook comments, some love and support would be brilliant.”
Others welcomed the concept as a much-needed choice for the city, pointing to its potential benefits for people who are sober through preference, health, or recovery. “It’s a great idea for those of us who don’t drink alcohol,” said one. “End of a lifetime being the one who says ‘just a fresh orange, please’!” Another, who quit drinking 25 years ago, called it “a great place for recovered alcoholics” and said the decision had “totally changed my life beyond my wildest dreams”.
Local business owners also joined the discussion. One Aberdeen bar owner noted a rise in alcohol-free drink sales and said there was “definitely a demand” for spaces like SOBR, especially for those taking a break from alcohol or quitting entirely. Safety was also a recurring theme, with one reader suggesting that “women would feel a lot safer there” and that such venues could help people avoid “those who are drunk and possibly obnoxious”.
Kate Kenyon
Speaking to Aberdeen Business News, Kate Kenyon, owner and founder of SOBR commented: “The support has been overwhelming! It’s so wonderful to hear and see such positivity about the bar. It is something really new and exciting which people are drawn to but I do believe there is a huge shift happening in the way we spend time and socialise. We are becoming more aware of our health and still want to have a great night out. And that’s what SOBR will provide.”
However, not all responses were positive. Some questioned whether Aberdeen was the right place for such a venture, with one quipping, “So, a café, then”, and another asking how it differed from existing coffee shops. Others doubted its appeal in a city with a strong drinking culture, with one remarking: “How to make Aberdeen even more boring.”
Commenting on some of the criticisms from naysayers, Kate responded: “I understand the reservations some have about the bar. The hospitality industry has been hit hard over the last few years, with new reports now out about the decline. But, as I’ve said, the way people live and go out is changing and SOBR is following the movement.”
“For those who think it’s just a cafe, a cafe serves cakes, bakes and coffee, and are brilliant in their own right. That’s not what SOBR will offer. We’re a bar in all intended purposes; the atmosphere, the tasteful drinks, the theatre that comes with cocktails. We also want to help people come out of the toxic rhetoric that you need a drink to have a great time and the stigma around not drinking. SOBR will be an inclusive place where no one feels the pressure to drink while having a good time.”
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Despite the mixed opinions, the conversation around SOBR has underlined a growing interest in alternative social spaces. For Kenyon, who was inspired to launch the venue after her best friend Isla Nicoll gave up drinking, the aim is to challenge long-held assumptions about nightlife in Scotland. “I want SOBR to be a safe space for people to step away from peer pressure and just have a really great night – that’s what nights out are about: great company and a great atmosphere,” she previously told Aberdeen Business News.
With its alcohol-free menu, art deco-inspired design by interior designer Angela Shaw, and events planned with other local businesses, SOBR is preparing to offer Aberdonians a new way to spend an evening, whether or not they drink.
Aberdeen Business News looks forward to sharing the story of SOBR’s launch this October and wishes Kate Kenyon every success as she brings this innovative new concept to the heart of the city.
For updates directly from SOBR you can follow them on Instagram
