OUR STORY
It all started when...
Inverness native and bar manager Matt Macpherson went down to stay at an Airbnb London hosted by Alex Hancock. Over the next few nights, Matt and Alex quickly became fast friends, chatting about their shared love of whisky and well served drinks long into the night. On the third evening, and several whiskies in, Matt described his frustration that there was nowhere he could send patrons when they asked for a specialist bar where they could drink great whisky. In that instance, they decided to make the first (and best) whisky bar in Inverness!
Working late into the early hours, they hatched the plan that would guide them over the next 18 months. Joining the team would be Alex's wife Pri, who brought the financial acumen and Matt's sister Karen, a designer.
Central to the bar's offering would be the menu, which would bring together a wide range of blended and single malt Scotch whiskies from all of Scotland's whisky regions - Highlands, Lowlands, Speysides, Islays, Campbeltown and Island whiskies, as well as American bourbons and ryes, Japanese whisky and Irish whiskeys.
From his years of experience of bar tending, Matt would round out the menu with a selection of the finest spirits, whisky (and non whisky) cocktails, wines, beers and ciders. Once the vision was in place, the next step was to find a venue. 34 Church Street was selected as it truly is in the heart of Inverness city centre, located in a busy thoroughfare and easily accessible by the train station. It was the perfect size to give the bar a sense of cosiness and intimacy.
They knew that the atmosphere and vibe of the bar would be fundamental, and Karen stepped up to the design challenge. Using materials and textures inspired by whisky distilleries, she crafted a space that is both modern yet resonates with whisky tradition.
The Malt Room Inverness opened to the public on the 18th July, and has fast become a firm favourite amongst Inverness whisky lovers, tourists wanting to sample a few local drams and anyone who appreciates a well served drink.
