The Tippling House Aberdeen
28 May 2024
This is a paid advertising feature from our friends at The Tippling House.
Back in 2012, the good folks of Aberdeen had been enjoying an emerging craft cocktail scene in the city, albeit with options limited by the small handful of bars who displayed real passion to the art and a dedication to premium spirits and liqueurs. Contemporaries included the likes of Orchid, Dusk, Amicus Apple, The Basement, Snafu and Ninety-Nine Bar & Kitchen, however much further back in time the city had the early pioneers of (original) Blu Bar, Long Island and Henry J Beans to thank for bringing classic cocktails to the masses.
In October 2012, The Tippling House opened their doors and instantly raised the bar as far as ‘craft’ was concerned. Boutique spirits and liqueur, often infused with fruit/spices/herbs, homemade syrups and vinegar-based cordials, not to mention an ever-changing seasonal cocktail menu, firmly established The Tippling House as the venue ‘du-jour’. As an added bonus, the venue’s commitment to providing high-quality food menus and bar snacks only served to further enhance their reputation as mixologists/bartenders who took their trade seriously.
Image credit: The Tippling House
Twelve years on, The Tippling House has cemented its position in the food and drink scene in Aberdeen, with an enviable conveyor belt of industry talent who went on to work in critically-acclaimed establishments in cities such as Singapore, Sydney, London and Edinburgh, as well as going into the fields of brewing and distilling, brand advocacy and sales and marketing. The key to the bar’s success, says owner Adrian Gomes, comes down to mere basics – ‘consistency, people and standards’.
The venue operates five days a week (Tuesday to Saturday), opening at 4pm during the week and 1pm on Saturdays. A late license allows The Tippling House to close at 1am Tuesday to Thursday and 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. A menu of small and mid-size plates is served all evening, whilst late-night bar snacks at the weekend draw the crowds after many other bars and restaurants close.
Image credit: The Tippling House
The bar is also closely associated with 10 Dollar Shake, an external events company that provides portable bars and mixologists for weddings, corporate days and private soirees, in addition to hosting numerous whisky tastings for the travel trade in all corners of Aberdeen City and Shire. The bar’s website features a year-long calendar of wine and spirit tastings, and their social media regularly notifies followers of street food/guest chef kitchen takeovers, ‘meet the maker’ wine and whisky pairing dinners and guest bartender shifts, usually in association with drinks brands. More recently, the venue installed a cocktail-focused bottle shop selling niche products such as canned cocktails, bitters, liqueurs and even tequila/mezcal.
On your next visit to Aberdeen, make sure you stop by The Tippling House and enjoy their small plates or take a seat at the bar and ask the bartender to create your new favourite drink.