In an email to customers, Simeone explained that the concept was intended to provide a ‘unique and immersive’ cocktail experience. However, the team’s increased focus on food served alongside the drinks impacted the ‘creativity and consistency of the drinks offer’. He expressed sincere apologies for this shift.
To better align with their mission, the future of the brand will now be dedicated exclusively to curating and delivering the finest cocktail-only experience. Simeone, who leads the Scotland-based Sixco Limited group, launched Somewhere by Nico in Glasgow in January and opened a second location in Edinburgh in June.
Similar to the chef’s Six by Nico concept—a six-course tasting menu that changes every six weeks and is themed around different places, memories, and ideas—Somewhere by Nico originally included a six-stage cocktail experience where drinks were paired with various dishes. Like Six by Nico, its menu changes every six weeks and is inspired by a ‘themed world’.
Simeone stated, “We created Somewhere by Nico out of a passion for crafting experiences that inspire connection, unity, and inclusion.” He added that they aimed to build on the same foundations and ethos as Six by Nico, incorporating unique qualities such as a rotating theme every six weeks and an accessible fixed price.
However, he noted, “With Somewhere, we wanted to take it a step further by drawing inspiration from new and novel worlds through multi-sensory mixology and cocktails.” Their goal is to be recognized as the most extraordinary cocktail bar and venue, offering an unparalleled immersive experience.
Since launching Somewhere by Nico, Simeone has felt that their proposition has become unclear as the focus had shifted more toward food, ultimately affecting their cocktail creativity and consistency. Sixco operates 16 restaurants across the UK under its flagship Six by Nico brand, along with several offshoots, including the patisserie and café concept Valaria and the charitable restaurant Beat 6, both based in Glasgow.
