Images reveal new cocktail bar 'unlike anything else' in Glasgow

Nico Simeone is preparing to unveil his first drinks-led venture, Somewhere by Nico, after a six-figure investment and 19 months of development.

The bar will open on March 20 above his popular Six By Nico restaurant at 358 Byres Road and marks the latest of several new restaurants by the city chef.

Nico promises guests that it will offer them an elevated experience from just having a drink in a regular bar.

He said: "We really wanted to raise the bar for ourselves. People are looking for more than just a drink; they want an experience.

"We believed that to be true and that’s been vindicated; we’ve been blown away by how popular this has proved to be. 

“The venue is exactly what we dreamt of. It has an exclusive members’ club feeling, something I think Glasgow needed but is definitely more than ready for.

“It’s drinks-led, but we’ve put as much attention on the alcohol-free menu – while it feels exclusive, this experience is designed for everyone.” 

Nico added that demand for the new venue has reached far beyond what he could have expected, with over 3000 already signing up to get a first glimpse of Somewhere and to try the six-course cocktail-tasting experience. 

Meanwhile, design studio Studio Two have been enlisted to create the look and feel of the new venue.

The interior concept is shaped around the four stages of sleep — from falling under to light sleep to slow wave sleep (the deepest sleep stage where most recovery happens) to the REM stage, where dreams are most likely to occur. 

Studio Two co-founder Lauren Milner said: “This is unlike anything else, anywhere else  — any bar that is ‘immersive’ creates that feeling through digital experiences rather than through fabric and light, which is what we’ve done. 

“At the entrance, distorted glazing adds an element of intrigue, beginning the hazy, dreamscape experience.

"When you walk through the doors, it’s trippy; the artwork draws you in, before being welcomed to the seating area filled with large oversized upholstery, soft fabrics, and soft light fittings – this is where full relaxation begins. 

“Then comes the dream stage, when each guest is immersed in the cocktail experience, with the bar taking centre stage and adding an element of theatre to proceedings.  The low lights allow people to get lost in the experience. 

“Artwork is a key feature, the brief to them was ‘tell me your wildest dreams’. Everything from lighting to art is completely out the box, creating the perfect environment for the cocktails to come to life.” 

Nico Simeone (Image: Archive image. Newsquest.)

It comes after we reported that Six by Nico announced the closure of one restaurant and three new openings in December 2023 as part of a £3 million grand plan. 

The Finnieston restaurant shut and the flagship Six By Nico eatery opened in the Merchant City on January 15.

Then came Sole Club, Nico's take on a chippy, which opened last month.