A “non-alcoholic” bar was forced to close just eight months after opening.
Love From, located in the Kampus neighbourhood of Manchester city centre, was described as a space “for those who don’t drink alcohol, are curious about getting sober or are just looking for something out of the ordinary to try”.
Founder and podcast host Karl Considine launched the sober pop-up bar in January, but the bar has now closed with “immediate effect” due to its “financial situation.”
Many online called the sudden closure a “huge shame,” but others were more skeptical of the concept, asking, “What did you expect?”
In an Instagram post, Karl wrote: ‘A few weeks ago we announced the end of our pop-up residency scheduled for August 31st, but we have unfortunately had to make the difficult decision to close immediately due to our financial situation.
Manchester’s first alcohol-free bar, Love From, has been forced to close “with immediate effect”
We will be closing immediately, but will be open for the last time tomorrow, Saturday 27th July, from 12pm to 9pm, for a chance to grab some final drinks.
“I’m devastated that it’s come to this, but also super proud of how amazing this year has been for us. This is really just the beginning of our next chapter, so stay tuned!”
The bar sold non-alcoholic beers for £5, while sober cocktails were priced at £7.50 each.
Among them was ‘Keep The Paloma Faith’, which included Pentire Award non-alcoholic liqueur, lime, agave nectar, grapefruit soda and salt.
Meanwhile ‘It’s Giving English Garden’ consisted of Pentire Adrift, apple, honey, lemon, soda and a sprig of thyme.
The menu also included a non-alcoholic version of the mojito called Let’s Get Mythical and a local specialty called the Manchester Tart.
During its eight months of operation, Love From also hosted cocktail masterclasses, art workshops and live music sessions.
In a video posted to Instagram earlier this month, Karl admitted the adventure had been “really difficult.”
The bar sold non-alcoholic beers for £5, while sober cocktails were priced at £7.50 each.
Love From, located in the Kampus neighbourhood of Manchester city centre, was described as a space “for those who don’t drink alcohol, are curious about getting sober or are just looking for something out of the ordinary to try”.
‘Keep The Paloma Faith’ included Pentire Award non-alcoholic liqueur, lime, agave nectar, grapefruit soda and salt.
Speaking about the possibility of creating a permanent space in the future, he said: “I can’t make it work financially. A bar without alcohol is a huge niche…”
But he added: “It’s been amazing. It’s been really good. For us, this is just the beginning, so stay tuned because there’s a lot more to come.”
Podcast host Karl had left his corporate job of 15 years to pursue Love From full-time after being sober for three and a half years.
He hoped to create a safe space for those who do not want to drink alcohol on a night out and will continue to host various pop-up events in the future.
Many were devastated by the news, writing: “What a shame! I was hoping to visit you before you closed! Good luck on Saturday and I hope to see you somewhere else!”
“What a shame! I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it yet. Good luck with whatever the future holds! I’m so glad you brought this to Manchester “
But others were more skeptical and said: ‘Incredible. It’s already closing. What a city…’;
“It was never a good idea, was it?”
“What did they expect? They should have opened a coffee shop”;
‘Non-alcoholic bar, is this like a cafe that doesn’t serve food?’;
‘I called it.’
Many online called the sudden closure a “huge shame,” but others were more skeptical of the concept, asking, “What did you expect?”
At the launch of Love From in January, Karl wrote on Instagram: ‘Get ready for a whole new world of delicious, creative, non-alcoholic drinks that will delight your taste buds without the morning-after regrets
‘But that’s not all! Love From is more than just a bar; it’s a vibrant, alternative event space and a place to forge connections with like-minded souls.
‘Join us on this journey as we embark on a mission to redefine your bar experience.
‘Let’s raise our glasses (of bubbly, non-alcoholic goodness, of course!) to new beginnings, unforgettable memories, and lots of love.’
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