Old pub? New pub? Trendy pub? Dive? So many options. So little time. So without a do, my favourite pubs in the Aberdeen (and not just for their drink selection).
10. Blackfriars - www.old-blackfriars.co.uk
Location: Castlegate
Belhaven pub. Occasional decent cask beers / reasonable food. A haunt back in my student days. Not much more to add.
9. The Archibald Simpson - www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk
Location: Castlegate
Wonderful architecture. Littered with the of the scum of the earth. Farm foods bags galore (not that I'm associating Farm Foods with the scum of the earth of course). Good range of beers, especially when their beer festival is on. Harviestoun, Houston and Williams brothers regularly feature. Terrible food. 3 mile camel trek to the toilets. Only visit occasionally.
8. Atheneum - www.theathenaeumaberdeen.co.uk
Location: Union Street
Great little place situated just off the castlegate in Aberdeen. The kitchen has recently been taken over by those behind the successful La Stella and Courtyard restaurants in Aberdeen, so you are guaranteed a good feed. Modern, quirky interior with a great range of cocktails / spirits and beers. Definitely not an establishment frequented by old men.
The Snafu venue downstairs also has a range of gigs / nights on during the week (if that's your thing).
7. Prince of Wales
Location: St Nicholas Lane (Just beside M&S)
Ah, the faint smell of urine, must be the Prince of Wales. I jest, the gents used to have a very 'pungent' whiff in here. Thankfully things have improved of late. This is another great old pub. Loads of nooks and crannies to sit with a quiet drink or if you are feeling adventurous, try and drink every beer along the bar (no thanks). Massive portions of food at reasonable prices. Good selection of ale on rotation. They even have some of their own brews (I really must find out who they contract these out to).
6. The Pittodrie Bar
Location - King Street
A purely sporting entry here. No exciting beers. I go here before the football. I go here after the football (a must after watching Aberdeen). I suppose this is my local (being in the next street from my flat). Decked out in AFC colours with football memorabilia all over the walls and framed cartoons of past and present stalwarts. The place was recently up for sale due to the impending relocation of AFC, and thankfully has been bought over. Take it in as part of the King Street pub crawl.
5. Amicus Apple - www.amicusapple.com
I don't really do trendy pubs / bars. I don't like getting dressed up to go to the pub. I've been in this pub in past incarnations and didn't think much of it.
I was in recently for a christmas party. What struck me this time round was the stylish decor / great food on offer and the range of beers available. From Harviestoun and Innis & Gunn to Brooklyn Lager and Dixie its safe to say I was pleasantly surprised.
I could see myself eating here with friends / family ... purely from a selfish point of view for the beer.
4. The Grill - www.thegrillaberdeen.co.uk
Like whisky? Then this is the place for you. Whisky from ALL over the world, some more expensive (read... holy shit that's expensive) than others.
I enjoy this pub simply for the amazing cornice work on the ceiling. Not to mention the potential broken neck trying to navigate down a cramped stairwell to visit the bathroom facilities.
A selection of rotating cask beers and bottles from Innis & Gunn / BrewDog et al are also on offer. Great for a quick pint before a gig at the Music Hall across the street. Oh, and they have pies for sale in a little grill (no pun intended). Old. School.
3. The Moorings - www.themooringsbar.co.uk
Rock and Roll. The End.
A permanent fixture in the history of Aberdeen with undoubtedly the best selection of tipples in town.
You want beers from all over the world. Check.
You want spirits from every corner of the globe. Check.
You want full frontal male nudity. Chiizeck.
I don't really need to go into much more detail, this place speaks for itself. Awesome artwork on the walls, pirates everywhere, assorted nik-naks on the walls, a great jukebox, bands on the weekends. Hell, you can even treat yourself a gourmet toastie if you are so inclined. Not one for the hen / stag parties who undertake the harbour pub crawl. A must!
2. BrewDog - www.brewdog.com
Situated across from the majestic Marschial College, this local mob need no introduction. You all know the score.
Minimalist interior. Great staff. Amazing beers (from both themselves and around the world).
The bar itself is pretty small and cosy and is ALWAYS busy (testament to the good work they are doing).
Personally, I enjoy a few games of jenga with a cheeseboard and selection of beers to sample. As you do.
Aberdeen could do with more bars of this ilk. There are WAY too many Belhaven and chain pubs scattered around and not enough specialist / different / quirky places. Hopefully I've highlighted a few in this post that do something a little different.
1. Ma Camerons
And after me saying there are too many Belhaven pubs, my favourite is one of them. The shame.
This has been my pub since I was a student. Nothing to do with the beer (although I'll happily admit I don't mind a few pints of Belhaven IPA of a Saturday afternoon). The food is pleasant enough and there is a big main bar (with wasabi peas in half pint glasses, hurrah). I try to avoid the main bar however.
This is one of the oldest pubs in Aberdeen and I drink through in the 'snug'. All the old men are initially hesitant to welcome you in (bloody youngsters). Over the years I've gotten to know them however and it's a fantastic place to drink, not to mention socialise.
Football coupons / cartoons of the regulars plastered all over the walls (see Pittodrie Bar) / fantasy football leagues / golf outings / free pies at halftime of sporting events on the small television (no projectors and flatscreens here). All present and correct. This place is so much more than a pub to me.
Which reminds me, I haven't been yet this year. Roll on Friday evening.
Every year I have a bet with an Aberdeen-supporting colleague about the respective final league standings of the Dons and Rangers.
ReplyDeleteInitially the forfeit was that the loser had to wear the opposition strip for a game of fives.
But that got boring after a wee while, so last season I bet him that if Aberdeen didn't finish within 40 (I think) points of Rangers, he had to wear a Rangers strip for a pub crawl of Aberdeen, starting in the Pittodrie Bar.
He's yet to fulfill his forfeit...
Hahaha, silly bet by him! The Dons have been pretty woeful for decades now. I can barely bring myself to write about them anymore.
DeleteHis best bet is pop in early doors to the Pitt wearing his new colours (unless he has to do it around 2pm on a Saturday)?