Inside new self-service wine bar with focus on local produce

A new self-service wine bar with a focus on local produce and great service is opening this week.

Tipsy Mares is set to open its doors for the first time in Church Road, Hove, on Friday, April 3.

Owner and former lawyer Debbie Aquilina began to pursue her dream of opening her own wine bar before Covid, having been made redundant and struggling with her physical health.

She said: “My husband Louis said ‘you should do something you’re passionate about’.

“I have always been really passionate about wine. We would joke about it.”

The turning point came when the couple had a bad experience at a new bar in Brighton and Mrs Aquilina thought “I can do this better”.

Tipsy Mares (Image: The Argus)

The 47-year-old began to search for properties between Worthing and Brighton but when the pandemic hit, she refocused her attention on improving her expertise.

“I travelled round the country for five years looking at vineyards,” Mrs Aquilina said, “I gained so much knowledge in the wine industry.”

After working at a wine bar for 18 months, Mrs Aquilina took the plunge and pursued her own venture.

Tipsy Mares is named after Mrs Aquilina’s love for horses from childhood, having competed in dressage and showing across the country.

The bar’s most unusual element is the self-service wine dispensers, allowing visitors to taste a range of wines.

The wine dispenser machines (Image: The Argus)

Guests load a card with up to £50, which they can use to pour themselves a 25ml, 125ml or 175ml glass of their chosen wine from the machines.

Mrs Aquilina said: “They’re such good fun and a great way of being able to try out things.

“The wine is preserved for up to 30 days. The void in the bottle fills with nitrogen.

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“Every pour is like a fresh pour. There is very little wastage.”

She said prices can be kept “very low”, making quality wine tasting more affordable.

The wine dispenser machines (Image: The Argus)

“In Hove there is a real mix of people,” she said.

“To be able to have a glass for less and you can try 25ml, that’s why I wanted to do it because I have a passion for wine but I felt restricted.

“You’ve got to cater for everybody. I am trying to cater to people who know about wine but to still be really affordable.”

Mrs Aquilina is also keen to provide the best quality of service to guests.

She added: “Service is paramount.

“We took our staff to a vineyard, we have explained the whole process to them.

Tipsy Mares in Church Road, Hove (Image: The Argus)

“They have seen from the vine to the bottle. They’re really enthusiastic about it.”

The bar showcases local ales, spirits and wines, with the menu featuring Sussex produce.

Mrs Aquilina said: “For me it’s about supporting local businesses, being able to support them and providing really lovely cheese and charcuterie boards.

“To be able to support local is great.”

The menu includes cheese and charcuterie platters, bar snacks and desserts.

Bottles of wine are also available to purchase off the shelf and take home.

Mrs Aquilina is planning tasting evenings showcasing various cuisines from nearby businesses.

“There are lots of different things on the cards,” she said.

Tipsy Mares is due to open at 34 Church Road, the former home of The Plotting Parlour, on Friday at 7pm.

Opening night is walk-in only and the bar will be open until 11pm.

Bookings can be made from April 4 onwards.

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