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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

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 score | 4.5/5 |
TripAdvisor reviews score | 4.5/5 |
Facebook reviews score | 4.5/5 |
Total reviews | 4.5/5 |
Score consistency | 4.5/5 |
Drink Selection | 5/5 |
Food Menu | 4/5 |
Cost | 4/5 |
Service | 3.5/5 |
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

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 score | 4.5/5 |
TripAdvisor reviews score | 5/5 |
Facebook reviews score | 5/5 |
Total reviews | 4.83/5 |
Score consistency | 4.8/5 |
Drink Selection | 3.5/5 |
Food Menu | 4/5 |
Cost | 5/5 |
Service | 4/5 |
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

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 score | 4.5/5 |
TripAdvisor reviews score | 4/5 |
Facebook reviews score | 4.1/5 |
Total reviews | 4.2/5 |
Score consistency | 4.2/5 |
Drink Selection | 5/5 |
Food Menu | 4/5 |
Cost | 3.5/5 |
Service | 3.5/5 |
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

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 score | 4.4/5 |
TripAdvisor reviews score | 4/5 |
Facebook reviews score | 4.1/5 |
Total reviews | 4.16/5 |
Score consistency | 4.2/5 |
Drink Selection | 5/5 |
Food Menu | 4/5 |
Cost | 4/5 |
Service | 5/5 |
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

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 score | 4.4/5 |
TripAdvisor reviews score | 4/5 |
Facebook reviews score | 4.4/5 |
Total reviews | 4.26/5 |
Score consistency | 4.3/5 |
Drink Selection | 5/5 |
Food Menu | 4/5 |
Cost | 4/5 |
Service | 5/5 |
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.