The owner of the bar, located just off Wolstenholme Square, thanked its customers as it made the announcement The owner of a unique backstreet bar has said it will close just nine months after opening. SipSin opened its doors last November on Gladwell Street, just off Wolstenholme Square in Liverpool city centre . SipSin focused on alcohol-free alternatives, including Lucky Saint lager, French Bloom wine and Sentia cocktails.
Its owner, Heather Garlick, argued many hospitality venues were not offering captivating alcohol-free options, and aimed to benefit from the growing number of young people choosing to go sober. She told the ECHO earlier this year: “My favourite customer is one who assumes they don't think they’ll like alcohol-free things. They'll be really surprised by how much you enjoy it, how little difference there is to alcohol and how nicer their night is.
The idea of being able to go out mid-week and not have to have a drink is appealing.” “We were always looking for somewhere that had a backstreet vibe. It's a bit of a party area.
We see ourselves as a bit of refuge. It really suits our vibe, a bit laid back.” Heather said the alcohol-free draught beer was a popular option at SipSin, adding: “People can’t believe how good it is.
You can't really get it anywhere else.” In July, Heather announced that SipSin would only be opening for events or activities. However, in a post on Instagram yesterday, she said the bar would be closing its doors for good, claiming she didn’t have the money to keep it going.
Heather said: “I'm sorry to announce that we have reached the end of our money and will be ceasing to trade with immediate effect. This includes the necessity to cancel our upcoming events for which I can't apologise to attendees and organisers enough. “I had been working really hard to stay open to accommodate booked events but a number of cancellations made our position untenable.
I just want to say thank you to my incredible team who've stuck around almost from the start, the fabulous people who've collaborated with us to coordinate some amazing events and our loyal and inspiring customer base who've kept us going for the last year. "It's been such an exciting and rewarding ride providing an alternative to a boozy night out in Liverpool and I'd do it all again in a flash.” Despite the closure of SipSin, Heather insisted bars focussing on alcohol-free alternatives could work.
She said: “So has the project failed? The business bank account, my other business bank account, my personal bank account and that of family members would return a resounding yes. Sigh. “But for everyone who came to us who hadn't really tried alcohol-free before/struggled to find places to socialise without booze/struggled to go on a night out without booze/struggled to find booze-free friends/struggled to find booze-free products they liked and were able to have their heads turned, I would say the project has been a resounding success.
“As far as I'm concerned, the positive impact of creating spaces that bring us together without pushing us towards booze has such a deep effect on our health, well-being, welfare and lifestyle that it significantly impacts our lives. And you can't put a price on that. “Does this mean failure for the category? I won't lie, making alcohol pay is a big job.
For anyone watching our experience and considering entering the market I would say alcohol-free is expensive AF, don't do it with your own money. “But, again, I don't think the category is doomed to fail. During the last year, I think I've been able to identify what would be needed to make a space like this work.
“I think it would have taken a couple more years of graft with all the relevant spending and some major infrastructural overhauls to the business model to make SipSin a success and replicable. “Unfortunately my beautiful little boy can barely spare me the time to put my pants on in the morning and I wouldn't have it any other way. Now is just not the time.
“I'll be contacting all of our collaborators individually and hoping to find new homes for our various events should they wish so do get in touch if you're a venue looking to curate some really interesting events. “It's been such a joy to be behind the bar and watch people experimenting with a different and healthier approach to socialising and I feel really strongly that our combined efforts have had a significant positive impact on showing people it can be done. Peace out, Heather.
” Many customers of the bar expressed their sadness at the news. Jake Nolan said: “One of the most progressive ideas in hospitality in the city for some time. Sometimes you have to lay the foundations for others to follow.
Congrats and I wish you the best of luck on what’s next.” Kyle May said: “Really gutted to hear this, it was such a lovely place to hang out and I recommended it to everybody. I feel like you did everything right from what I saw.
“I very much hope you didn't feel like you failed because you did an amazing job. It's a shame the overheads are so high these days. Good luck in the future.
” Helen Miley added: “So sorry to read this. You haven’t failed, best of luck on your journey.” Aeclett, which promotes sober lifestyles and is run by Scott Woolley from Port Sunlight, added: “Thanks for everything Heather and best of luck for the future.
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