Slains Castle

Whisky Galore Oh…read moreboy, if you know your Scottish Cities and their Pubs then you will know what I mean when I say the Grill is to Aberdeen what that Horseshoe is to Glasgow and The Guildford (Or Café Royal, or Bow Bar) is to Edinburgh. And for those of you who don't know your Scottish Cities and their Pubs, allow me to clarify - It's ICONIC!! So, things you need to know, firstly they are rumoured to have the largest Whisky selection in Scotland (RUMOURED). I mean it is ridiculous, I'm sure if a fire started here it would blow up half of Union Street and said explosion could be seen from the Moon. So if you like your Whisky then this is a must visit pub. Secondly, this pub is older than you will ever be, My dad drank here when he was 5, and now he is 80, and people drank there before he was born. It's so old that they had to install ladies toilets a while back as there weren't any - and ladies are allowed to drink alongside men these days! Lastly, it might look like a dump outside, but don't mistake dump for character. This has more character than Monty Python. The floor clearly used to be strewn with sawdust back in the days, and some of the staff have seen more than their fair share of breakfasts - but that all adds to the experience. The experience here is guaranteed to be memorable for all the right reasons!

The Grill is worth a visit even if you hate Whisky. But if you hate whisky then go find an alco-pop…read morevendor. You probably will not appreciate the beauty and history of this place. It is bloody long. The bar is also bloody long. By the way, it is pub and not a Grill. They decided to turn it from a restaurant to a pub around 1900 and never got around to changing the name. Let us get down to the essentials. This is about whisky and pilgrims and Scotland and finding places with a lot of bottles of the aforementioned. Well the Grill has it. 500 bottles. Let that number sink in. One dram a day. After spending a year performing that activity and you have not finished. They have some of the oldest drams on sale anywhere in the world - a 1938 Macallan, Several 1930 Malts and the legendary Black Bowmore. Voted in "Bar of the Year" in 2008 by Whisky Magazine and staffed with folks with Whisky expertise. If you do not like Whisky, then grab an ale and soak in the amazing architecture of this place. CAMRA has named this place as the most northerly Scottish "Pub Interior of Outstanding Historic Interest". So much to offer, you cannot lose by visiting this place. Pilgrims Ho!

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The Prince of Wales

4.0(20 reviews)

0.1 mi

Went there at 1:00 to meet friends. Our age group had been going to the PoW pub for 40-50 years…read more We had main meals and later on we had some snacks as well as our beers. At around 9:00 we were told that we were being cut off (no more service). So I asked the management: Had we been rude? No. Had we upset other customers? No. Were any of our party of four staggering around and overly intoxicated? No. So why were we cut off? "We have a duty of care - company rules". Ok. Understood. But what duty of care is required for people who are not overly intoxicated? "It's just the rules. Thanks for your custom. See you soon". No you won't, Prince of Wales. After 40-50 years, we won't be back. This is a sad day.

Definitely a pub! When we went it was completely packed. A nice couple shared their table with us…read more We didn't get to try the food, but I definitely got more of a "happy hour" feeling from the place. Apparently, a very popular local spot!

Photo. 15.9.2016.

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Old Blackfriars

3.9(24 reviews)

We were excited to try this place on recommendation from our taxi driver from the airport; I also…read morewas intrigued by the history noted on their webpage. We were a group of 6 visiting from California, fresh off the boat, as it were. Grand old pub look, low ceiling, old beams, etc. A few modern items were a bit out of place and didn't blend but keeping up with the times I suppose. The food was good, more adequate than outstanding. It didn't measure to a few other pubs we went to. The food took a really long time, I think was very busy for them, kept hearing on their walkies that they ran out of certain main items (like chicken!! ). The bartenders answered some questions but honestly seemed bothered we were there, and frankly maybe bothered that they were working. Both were often sitting behind the bar scrolling on their phones, and seemed put out when someone approached for a drink. Not the business's fault but despite our effort to be respectful of the space we received several glares and dirty looks from other patrons. We weren't loud and certainly weren't saying anything disrespectful, it gave me the same feel as the staff - that we were intruding on their space. Possibly, this is a locals only pub in the middle of town?? Not likely a place we would return to eat - maybe give it another go as a later-evening pub experience.

Location speaks for itself. While visiting Aberdeen my wife and I came for lunch on a Sunday…read moremorning. We shared the crispy squid as a starter. Then a steak sandwich with side of onion rings, steak & ale with a side salad (which was a full size). A Belhaven Black to complete the meal. The food was delicious. The service was excellent!! Far beyond what we found through out the week at other pubs. Bringing us food, clearing dishes and checking on us through out.

Fish and chips

Photo. 14.9.2016.

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Announcement of entertainment and fun decor

Noose & Monkey

4.2(6 reviews)

Not only did they provide me a great Sunday Roast, they gave me the best meal I had during my…read moreentire trip to the UK. The price is very reasonable, the service is friendly and quick, and the food is really, good. On Sundays, they fluctuate between serving beef or pork for the roast (which starts at noon, not when they open); I luckily came for the week they served beef. The roast itself was tender, the sides within the entree - veggies, roasted potatoes, skirlie and Yorkshire pudding - complemented the meat and each other seamlessly, and the meal overall was hearty and flavorfully rich, but not salty. I also ordered pigs-in-a-blanket and brussel sprouts for additional sides, and while overkill (meaning I didn't need them to make me full), werr very good appetizers; I had to make sure not to finish them, or else I would have been too full for the meal. For drinks, I got a Mezcal Negroni that was strong but delicious. The clean, lovely restaurant was sparse when I came in at noon, but was picking up by the time I left around 1:15p. I would love to go back when I'm in the area.

Good pub with a good atmosphere at the weekends. Friendly staff and nice pints…read more Its also close to the very centre of town but you can usually get a seat. Also very close to the theatre so handy for a drink.

Weekday brunch

Express Lunch (I'm assuming for weekends)

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Weekend Brunch menu

Illicit Still

4.4(8 reviews)

0.2 mi

A perfectly cozy, dark, moody pub in the corner of Aberdeen's city centre…read more Been in for a pint and few times, and I just love the nooks that you can find to enjoy your beer (or cocktail) and conversation in. Illicit Still is definitely not trying to be anything it isn't, and it isn't calling to a flashy or young audience, but if you're in Aberdeen and looking for an authentic British pub experience, you'll enjoy it here. The location, across from the townhouse was very convenient to where I used to live on Schoolhill, and it's easy to get to from anywhere in the city centre. With the recent construction and changes to and around Broad St, the pub is even more visible and might get higher traffic. Now that I've said that, I'm curious if it is! Definitely worth a revisit!

This was one of the top pubs I wanted to visit on our stay, which didn't disappoint. It's a…read moredownstairs pub with very industrial lighting and decor. Their gin drinks were a new and well received experience. The rest of my party enjoyed their beer selection. This is a good night spot and I would definitely go back.

Photo. 16.9.2016.

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Filthy Mcnastys

3.3(3 reviews)

They painted the ceiling from smokey yellow to cream. :) This pub is ok. As noted previously…read moreanother one of the dated sport venues with your regulars and pleasant enough bar maids. More prominent for it's english football, the level of male customers is too high and a bit intimidating for a lady going in, I can't be bothered with leery blokes. I wonder where the lady equivalent is?

Excellent price point and nice atmosphere. Friendly staff, free wifi.read more

Revolution - Aberdeen

4.1(17 reviews)

0.0 mi

Great atmosphere, cool bar, and great cocktails. Bring your selfie game as its an instaworthy bar.read more

Absolutely love the atmosphere. Such a lovely spot in aberdeen. Drinks are so fun and plenty of…read morechoice. The food unfortunately is not worth the price, however it is still one of my favourite spots and staff are always lovely.

Sweet potato croquettes

Revolution platter!

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Von innen

The Stag Pub

4.0(2 reviews)

0.2 mi

Food was pub food: fish n' chips was good; baked potato w beans and cheese so so. Local beer and…read morewhisky were good choices. Loved our waiter and the ambiance is fun. Definitely a fun place to meet w your mates and have a few beers.

Was walking around The Granite City when it was raining (shocker) and my stomach started rumbling…read more I was looking for a pub to pop in to as it was my first trip here and wanted to get my bearings. Saw The Stag and figured I had to go in as my favorite pub in my hometown is The Stag's Head. The Stag is apparently one of the newer pubs around. When I walked in I was grossly outnumbered by males, but I think that is to be expected :-) Super friendly staff. The guy behind the bar gave me a couple samplings of beer so I could figure out which one to order. I had fish and chips for lunch - was delivered half a whale in fish. OK, that was an exaggeration but the piece of fish was huge and I ended up taking half of my plate home with me. They have real ales, lagers, wine, and whiskies. Several TVs playing sports which was nice to pass the time given the fact I was traveling alone. I would definitely come back.

Photo. 14.9.2016.

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The Howff

3.7(3 reviews)

Great pub! Seems to be a bit of an undiscovered gem. Good beers etc and the food is also very good…read morealthough you dont get chips which is strange with a burger, not taking away from it though, the food is tasty! Also this place has a great range of whiskey and your guaranteed a good pint.

Not sure if this is still the case, but this was always the only place in Aberdeen to get a pint of…read moreDirectors. They did not do many other ales, but who needs them when Directors is on. Interesting very obviously home cooked food is available my particular favourite was a cookie cheese cake.

Siberia Bar, Aberdeen

4.2(18 reviews)

0.0 mi

Siberia is a very reasonably priced bar with a good selection of beers, spirits and, best of all,…read moreloads of flavoured shots. This makes it an ideal place to start a night out. Shots are only £2 and the rest of the drinks are also great value. The staff are great, very helpful and friendly if you're planning a special night out or event and also very quick to serve you at the bar. The bar has lots of places to sit with friends and chat but unfortunately after a certain time the music becomes too loud to hear them. This is the only downside and overall Siberia is a great place to go.

This has some of the best shots you are likely to find in Aberdeen. It's definately a place to…read morevisit if you want to try lots of new drinks. It can be busy but if you go in early enough there are plenty of seats and places to stand out of the way. The service at the bar tends to be really quick whether it's busy or not which is always a good thing. The drinsk aren't especially cheap but a lot cheaper than some places you can mention. There are stairs in here which i don't think is ideal in any place, especially as the toilets are down the stairs. These are usually clean though. There is also a nice terrace out the back where you can sit in the summer or have a fag in the winter. The staff are always very nice too and aren't scared to tell you which drinks are worth a try. Definately a place to try.