Turning Four: The Ivy Lodge’s Journey from Car Park Pop-Up to Award-Winning Bar in Aberdeen
This week, The Ivy Lodge turns four, and wow – what a whirlwind these past four years have been! As we raise a glass to celebrate, we want to take a trip down memory lane, and give a huge thank you to everyone who’s made this journey with us. Whether you’ve been here from day one or joined along the way, cheers!
From Parking Lot Pop-Up to Beer Garden Hangout
Who remembers the early days? Back in 2020, with pandemic restrictions in full swing, we set up shop as a small pop-up bar in – you guessed it – a repurposed car park! It was all masked-up, socially-distanced fun, and let’s just say it was a unique start to our story. But as restrictions eased and the Aberdeen sunshine started making more appearances, so did we! That car park quickly grew into a full terrace, and before long, we installed a looooooong bar (yes, we did say long!) to keep up with the crowds.
From Beer Garden to Indoor Bar (Yep, We Did It Backwards)
Now, most bars start with indoor spaces and then expand outside, but hey – we like to keep things interesting! By late November 2022, we introduced our upstairs indoor bar, which quickly became a game-changer. We doubled our seating, added a cosy mezzanine with booths, and upgraded to a massive bar with beautiful Aberdeen harbour views. With each new feature, The Ivy Lodge was transforming from pop-up to proper Aberdeen cocktail bar!
The Best Space for Any Occasion
Thanks to our unique setup, The Ivy Lodge has grown into one of Aberdeen’s best after-work drink spots, great for late-night drinks, and the go-to for all sorts of events. From intimate gatherings to blowouts for up to 400 guests! We have multiple event spaces, each with its own vibe, plus a dancefloor that’s packed every Friday and Saturday, where resident DJ Dave Milne brings the tunes, cocktails flow, and confetti canons pop.
The Parties, Events, and Good Times
Over the years, we’ve hosted so many memorable events – from Boozy Brunches and Western Hoedowns to the Aberdeen Fringe Festival, May Day parties, and the ever-popular Wednesday Quiz Night and Open Mic Thursdays. We’ve poured drinks, shared laughs, and thrown some epic celebrations with all of you. And now, looking back, it’s hard to believe how far we’ve come.
Honoured and Recognised for What We Do
We couldn’t be prouder of the recognition and awards we’ve received along the way, thanks to our amazing team, our customers, and the continued support of the Aberdeen community. Here are just a few highlights:
- 2022 Society Aberdeen Awards: Most Commended Bar of the Year 🏆
- 2023 Scottish Licensed Trade News: National Finalist for Best Outdoor Area
- 2023 Scottish Entertainment & Hospitality Awards: Highly Recommended for Best Events Venue & National Finalist in Best Independent Bar in North & Best Use of Technology 🏆
- 2023 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards (DRAM): National finalist for Best Outdoor Area
- 2024 Scottish Entertainment & Hospitality Awards: Winner of Best Outdoor Area in Scotland & National Finalist for Best Late Night Venue 🏆
As we celebrate turning four, we’re also national finalists for the 2024 SLTN Awards in the Best Spirits Bar category – with the winners being announced next week! Fingers crossed.
To Our Customers, Our Team, and Shiprow Village
We wouldn’t be here without our brilliant team, the fantastic Shiprow Village development, and – most importantly – you,our loyal customers and new friends. Your support means everything to us, and it’s been our pleasure serving you all through these crazy, unforgettable years.
Whether you’re a regular, have visited us once or twice, or are planning to drop by soon, we invite you to join us for a drink this week and celebrate our fourth birthday together. Let’s raise a glass to the good times past and the great times yet to come.
Cheers to four years of The Ivy Lodge! 🥂
