The Tippling House in Aberdeen is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Hitting this milestone is an achievement in itself, but its even more remarkable considering the challenges the hospitality industry has faced over the past decade.
The Tippling House is a late-night cocktail bar and social dining venue with a focus on boutique spirits, Scottish craft beers, and small plates.
Located on Belmont Street, an area well-known among city-goers for its nightlife, the business came to fruition in October 2012 and was founded by drinks industry expert, Adrian Gomes.
Adrian Gomes
Adrian, from Aboyne, has worked in hospitality since the age of 18.
“My very first role in a bar was as a glass collector for three weeks in O’Donoghue’s, where I’d travel in from my parents’ house in Ellon and get back again at 3/4am,” he said.
He has since worked at a line-up of commendable establishments across the north-east.
These include The Buchan Hotel in Ellon, Café Ici in Aberdeen, former nightclub Snafu, and YO! Sushi before “preparing to go solo.”
He launched cocktail catering company, 10 Dollar Shake, in 2010.
Adrian also DJ’d in several locations, too. The Lemon Tree, Kef, Pivo, and 99 Bar & Kitchen were among them.
He added: “The appeal was the drinks, the people, and the good times. I think if you’re in hospitality for any other reason, you’re missing the point.
“My time at Snafu resulted in my passion for hospitality, drinks, brands, and nightlife in general.
“It was a special place and many of the team members who worked there over the years have gone on to huge roles within the hospitality and drinks industry, some global.
“It was a breeding ground for talent and creativity. It’s a culture I’ve tried to instill in every venue I’ve worked in since.”
The Tippling House
Discussing The Tippling House, Adrian said: “The venue itself has quite a modern Italo vibe to the interior decor.
“It also has a long bar to enable our guests to chat directly with the bartenders, who love to create one-off drinks to match a mood or occasion.”
The key to success, in the founder’s opinion, is consistency.
The cocktail bar has the same door policy it had 10 years ago, as well as the same reverence for food and drinks, and the same exact standards for team members.
Adrian added: “We’ve not chased the money, indulged in marketing fads, and haven’t compromised on our commitment to serving high-quality food and drink which challenges both the palate and the perception of what is ordinary.
“If we put our name behind something, we’ve built up trust within our own community of guests and they support the idea that, even if they haven’t heard of a certain ingredient or brand before, if we’re promoting it there’s a good reason for doing so.”
Consistency is key
The Tippling House hasn’t been the only hospitality business to open its doors in Aberdeen under Adrian’s ownership.
His second venue, Rye & Soda, launched in 2014 and was situated in the Academy.
Sadly, it closed permanently in November 2018, which Adrian pins down to “lack of consistency”.
“It killed the venue eventually,” he added.
It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of Rye & Soda and Bos'n, making way for new ownership. We opened back on the 12th June 2014, bringing brunch to the masses in Aberdeen.
The city has undergone a… https://t.co/30L1RuKvEe
— Rye & Soda (@RyeandSoda) November 28, 2018
“I don’t blame anyone or anything for this, other than we failed to create a viable concept in a premises that had massive overheads.”
Brexit and the Covid pandemic and the cost of living crisis have all proved to challenges for the business.
Adrian said: “The shortage of available workers is nothing like I have ever experienced before.
“The cost-of-living crisis is yet another test for the industry. We all have to adapt or die.
“Looking back at the smoking ban, those venues that didn’t change their concept or business model essentially threw in the towel.
“The same will happen this time – some operators just won’t have the energy or know-how to move their business forward. This industry continually jolts from sad times to good times. That’s life.”
A new lease of life for Yatai
The Tippling House team has compiled a series of events to mark its 10th anniversary, including bar takeovers, wine dinners and tastings, guest musicians and DJs, while a host of other tastings and pop-ups are yet to be announced.
All events and information will be listed on Facebook, Meetup, and the business’ website.
But there’s more to celebrate.
Adrian recently shared that 10 Dollar Shake purchased a new venue, the former Yatai Izakaya on Langstane Place.
He said: “Plans are TBC right now but we’re really excited to be working on a new project, in a different area of the city centre.
“We may do the odd pop-up in the short-term, so we can get a feel for the space before renovating it fully.”
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