Aberdeen's popular neighbourhood bar, Ninety-Nine, closes its doors for 10 days to allow a significant five-figure refurbishment as the directors reinvest profits from a successful first year of trading back into the venue.
The strategic investment marks a new chapter for the Back Wynd bar, which was saved from permanent closure earlier this year when Stephen McNab, Adrian Gomes and Martin Farmer stepped in to re-open the beloved venue after the previous operator when into administration.
Stephen McNab, GM and Director of Ninety-Nine commented: "Since we took over Ninety-Nine, we've gone from strength to strength. The support from our guests and local hospitality peers has been incredible, and we want to ensure the space reflects the high quality level of food, drink and service they've come to expect from us. This investment is about maintaining standards and adding warmth to a venue the local community has embraced."
The phased refurbishment will be carried out over two to three stages, with the initial work focusing on upgrading the toilet areas, repainting the venue and creating a new whisky and premium spirit cabinet. The second stage will concentrate on improving the sound system, revarnishing the bar and floor, and upgrading the tables and chairs.
Stephen continues: "We're keen to maintain a level of consistency in the look and feel of the venue so it doesn't feel like a brand-new space overnight. Ninety-Nine has an intimate charm and special atmosphere that our regulars love, and we want to enhance that rather than change it completely."
The bar will close after last orders this Sunday for approximately 10 days, with the newly refurbished Ninety-Nine scheduled to reopen fully from Friday 16th January.
Adrian Gomes adds: "We couldn't be more excited about this next step. When we re-opened Ninety-Nine, with the assistance of Star Pubs, we made a commitment to all our guests and team members that we would invest in making it the best neighbourhood bar in Aberdeen, backed by a sound financial model. This mini-refurbishment, which is being fully financed from the bar’s profits, is the first stage of delivering on that promise."