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Top 5 Bars in Aberdeen

Top 5 Bars in Aberdeen

How We Picked the Best Bars in Aberdeen

Drink Selection

What is a bar without drinks? The drink selection is the most important part of a bar.

Food Menu

Food items should taste good and be reasonably priced as well.

Cost

We checked out what you have to spend in each bar for you to know which ones would fit your budget.

Service

Good customer service can make or break a bar,so it’s good to know which bars offer friendly and prompt service.

1. CASC

CASC' Homepage

Website: https://www.cascnation.com/bars-shops/aberdeen-bar

Address: 7 Stirling St, Aberdeen AB11 6ND, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 1224 212373

Operating Hours: Mon-Tues: 4PM–12AM

                    Tue-Wed: 4PM–12AM

                    Fri-Sat:12PM–1AM

                    Sunday: 12PM–12AM

Google reviews score4.5/5
TripAdvisor reviews score4.5/5
Facebook reviews score4.5/5
Total reviews4.5/5
Score consistency4.5/5
Drink Selection5/5
Food Menu4/5
Cost4/5
Service3.5/5

Pros

  • Substantial selection of beer
  • Phenomenal whiskey selection
  • Great cigar selection
  • Awesome sharing platter

Cons

  • Rude and unfriendly staff
  • Not wheelchair accessible

Located at the heart of Aberdeen’s Merchant Quarter, CASC, which is short for Cigars, Ale, Scotch, and Coffee, is Aderdeen’s hidden treasure.

The bar has a substantial beer selection, with 200 bottled beers from around the world and 28 rotating craft beers on tap.

Its whiskey selection is also phenomenal, with 500+ scotch/world whiskies. Some famous lists of whiskeys are the blended scotch whiskeys, single grain scotch whiskeys, and the speyside single malt scotch whiskeys.

They also have cigars from around the world, and you can choose from the bar’s unique collection from their customised walk-in humidor.

The bar’s atmosphere is very cool and speakeasy-esque, where one can sit back and relax with mates for hours. Items are mostly reasonably-priced, although you have to shell out for the whiskey tasting menus.

Guests recommend the Ploughman’s sharing platter for two. This crowd pleaser includes a pork pie wedge, ham, scotch egg, and a selection of cheeses plus silverskin pickled onions, caramelized red onion chutney, oatcakes, fresh bread, and pork scratching.

Some guests, however, experienced poor behavior from the staff. One stated that the bar person was unhelpful when he told him that the drink was too sweet; the bartender’s response was that he was not responsible for the man’s taste buds.

Also, this bar is located down a steep and narrow staircase, so it is definitely not wheelchair-accessible.

Despite the unfriendly staff and lack of wheelchair accessibility, this bar is still one of the best in Aberdeen. If you are hankering for a top notch whiskey and beer selection in a laid back setting, this is the Aberdeen bar for you.

2. The Blue Lamp

The Blue Lamp' Homepage

Website: https://www.thebluelampaberdeen.com/

Address: 121 Gallowgate, Aberdeen AB25 1BU, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 1224 647472

Operating Hours: Mon-Wed: 5PM–12AM

         Thursday: 5PM–1AM

          Friday: 5PM–2AM

          Saturday: 2PM–2AM

Google reviews score4.5/5
TripAdvisor reviews score5/5
Facebook reviews score5/5
Total reviews4.83/5
Score consistency4.8/5
Drink Selection3.5/5
Food Menu4/5
Cost5/5
Service4/5

Pros

  • Popular jazz joint 
  • Hosts stand-up comedy gigs
  • Has a jukebox

Cons

  • Limited drink selection
  • Can be too loud

Considered as one of the UK’s best jazz venues, The Blue Lamp is known for its exceptional sound system which was originally installed with help from the Scottish Arts Council.

Famous jazz musicians have played here such as Arild Andersen, Georgie Fame, and Kenny Garrett. Talented UK comedians have also graced its halls such as Paul McDaniel, Ross Leslie, and Mark Nelson.

Admission fee for these acts is only £5.00, so it is definitely cheap compared to other venues. Also, admission is free for students and those under 16, and no booking is required.

It also has a jukebox, so you can play anything you want.

Guests are also raving about its delicious spring rolls and bun cha offerings. The prices for food and drink, like the admission fee, are quite affordable as well.

However, it has a limited drinks selection. For instance, they serve primarily beers and ales.

It has been said that the venue can be too loud at times, so this is not where you should go if you want to just chill and talk to your friends.

If you are willing to overlook these minor drawbacks, or if you are a jazz aficionado and stand-up comedy fan, then this is the perfect Aberdeen hole-in-the-wall for you.

3. Orchid Aberdeen

Orchid Aberdeen' Homepage

Website: https://orchidcocktails.com/

Address: 51 Langstane Pl, Aberdeen AB11 6EN, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 1224 516126

Operating Hours: Monday: 10PM–2AM

        Wed-Thurs: 8PM–2AM

        Fri-Sat: 6PM–3AM

        Sunday: 8PM–2AM

Google reviews score4.5/5
TripAdvisor reviews score4/5
Facebook reviews score4.1/5
Total reviews4.2/5
Score consistency4.2/5
Drink Selection5/5
Food Menu4/5
Cost3.5/5
Service3.5/5

Pros

  • Delicious food
  • Beautiful cocktails

Cons

  • Overpriced drinks
  • Staff members are rude and unhelpful

Voted in 2021 as the best cocktail bar in Scotland, Orchid Aberdeen successfully delivers unique signature drinks created by blending classic cocktails with innovative culinary techniques.

The place itself is beautiful and elegant with dark-coloured walls, gleaming wood tables, and inviting leather booths.

The Pink Orchid is the Orchid Aberdeen’s signature drink, and this one-of-a-kind concoction contains Braemble Gin Liqueur, vanilla vodka, lime, egg white, and cranberry.

Guests also rave about the bar’s delicious strawberry daiquiris, which are delicious and presented beautifully.

In terms of food, visitors love the bar’s amazing Ross Cochrane tasting menu, which comes with five courses and five cocktails. If you’re in the mood for something simpler, try one of their best selling a la carte dishes, the delicious Amerikanische pizza. 

However, some guests pointed out that the bar’s drinks are somewhat overpriced. For instance, the cocktail called Date Night will set you back £32.00.

There are reports about the staff being quite unprofessional as well. One customer described the staff members as “very impolite and rude, with no desire to meet guests’ needs/likes.” 

With its beautiful, handcrafted cocktails, we still think Orchid Aberdeen is worth a try.

4. Ninety-Nine

Ninety-Nine' Homepage

Website: https://www.99aberdeen.com/

Address: 1 Back Wynd, Aberdeen AB10 1JN, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 1224 631640

Operating Hours: Mon-Thurs: 5PM–12AM

        Friday: 12PM–1AM

        Saturday: 12PM–1AM

        Sunday: 12PM–12AM

Google reviews score4.4/5
TripAdvisor reviews score4/5
Facebook reviews score4.1/5
Total reviews4.16/5
Score consistency4.2/5
Drink Selection5/5
Food Menu4/5
Cost4/5
Service5/5

Pros

  • Great cocktail selection
  • Amazing service
  • Vegan options
  • DJ during the weekends
  • Live music during the week

Cons

  • Expensive food with small portions
  • Music is a bit loud for a small bar

Ninety-Nine is a cozy watering hole, with a slightly retro, hipster-ish appeal. 

Known for its awesome cocktail selection, its signature drink is The Queens: peach & pineapple shaken with porter’s gin to create a tropical cocktail fit for royalty. Guests are also love their “Lovely Pair Of Coconuts” cocktail.

Ninety-Nine’s customer service is excellent. Staff are apparently friendly, helpful, and attentive.

A customer appreciated how they don’t hesitate to explain the menu in detail if you have questions, or top off your water without you asking them to do so.

The bar’s food menu also boasts delicious vegan options such as the delicious OG Meatless Burger. Some guests also liked the bar’s Back Wynd burger and

macaroni and cheese.

Live music is played during the week, allowing guests to soak up the laid-back vibe of the place. During the weekends, local DJs host the space.

However, some guests were apparently dissatisfied with the food portions and price. Those we surveyed mentioned that the price point seemed steep for the serving size of their dishes.

Also, for such a small bar, the music can be overwhelming at times, with some guests having to shout to converse with their friends.

All in all, if you want to listen to live music while sipping delicious cocktails and being served in style, then don’t let the loud music and small food portions stop you from trying Ninety-Nine.

5. The Tippling House

The Tippling House' Homepage

Website: https://www.thetipplinghouse.com/

Address: 4 Belmont St, Aberdeen AB10 1JE, United Kingdom

Contact Details: +44 1224 643498

Operating Hours: Tue-Thurs: 4PM–12:30AM

                               Friday: 4PM–3AM

                               Saturday: 1PM–3AM

Google reviews score4.4/5
TripAdvisor reviews score4/5
Facebook reviews score4.4/5
Total reviews4.26/5
Score consistency4.3/5
Drink Selection5/5
Food Menu4/5
Cost4/5
Service5/5

Pros

  • Reasonably priced cocktails
  • Exquisite food
  • Friendly staff

Cons

  • Food portions are quite small
  • Toilet facilities need better maintenance

The Tippling House is definitely one of the best bars in Aberdeen. Hailed as the quintessential underground speakeasy, this bar has a quirky drinks selection and original recipes for its food menu.

The cocktails in The Tippling House are reasonably priced, with drinks priced from £6 to £10. Some favourite cocktails are Belladonna, Brunch Date, and Queen’s Gambit.

The food in this bar is said to be flavourful and unique. Guests particularly love the bar’s white crab mac and cheese, Cheese and Wine Flight for two, and its 5-course tasting menu. 

The staff members also deserve to be highlighted. Guests apparently love their friendly and accommodating demeanour, even going out of their way to make amends for any errors made.

It’s just a shame that the food portions are reportedly rather small. For instance, a guest ordered five plates between two people which was the waiter’s recommendation, but they still left feeling hungry. 

Also, there were complaints about the toilets, particularly the women’s, due to its musty smell and some of its stalls being out of order.

Despite these, The Tippling House can still help you have a wonderful time with your friends. If you are in a mood for unique drinks and delicious pub food, then this bar is waiting to welcome you.

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