Dean's of Elgin cocktail bar opens in the heart of town
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A COCKTAIL bar that opened in the heart of Elgin at the end of July has got off to a "brilliant" start.
Dean's of Elgin, run by 28-year-old James Dean, is located on Fife Arms Close, behind Specsavers.
Before James opened the bar, the building had been out of use since Beautique Nails and Beauty relocated to the high street in late 2021.
He has been delighted with his first two weeks in business, and is pleased to be part of the Elgin business community.
"Opening day was brilliant – it started a bit slowly but The Cocktail Joint had an issue so sent everyone here," he said.
"All the restaurants and bars have been brilliant. Ada have been sending people after their meals, so everyone is helping each other out.
"The customers have been nice as well – I've not had one negative person and the feedback has been brilliant. Everyone is loving the cocktails.
"There's a lot of potential in Elgin and, speaking to people that have been in, they are saying this is exactly what the town needs."
James, who is originally from Southport, near Liverpool, moved north in October 2021 and took over ownership of the bar.
Prior to moving north, he was the drink manager at a Peaky Blinders-themed bar in Southport, having worked his way up from a part-time role.
On moving north, he added: "My sister married someone in the RAF and moved up here.
"She had a daughter in lockdown and my mum didn't want to be away from her grand-daughter – or daughter.
"She sold the house and said 'I want you to move up with me and I'll lend you some of the money from the house to open your bar'. I pay her back whenever I can."
Dean's is open seven days a week – from 11am until 10pm – and can host a maximum of 20 people at a time.
If cocktails aren't your thing, then there are beers and ciders available on draft, and shots can be ordered.
James thanked CM Designs, the architects, who did "amazing" work on the building – which has been run by several different people in the past.
He added: "Every time someone comes in they will tell me it was a skateboard shop, a witchcraft shop, a children's clothes shop, something different.
"One guy told me he thought the building was cursed because someone will open something and then a few months down the line it will close. Hopefully I can break that curse."
