The Best Bars To Wet Your Whistle In Aberdeen

The Grill is one of Aberdeen’s oldest and most famous pubs, having originally opened in 1870 and remaining virtually unchanged since 1926. As such, the unique mahogany veneer panelling and oxidised-bronze frontage befitting The Grill’s period have ensured that CAMRA placed it in their directory of Historic Pub interiors. The pub is synonymous with quality dram; not content with a decent range of cask ales and draught and bottled lagers, The Grill takes pride in its 600 malt whiskies lining the gantry, including Scottish and global offerings. Whisky ‘flights’ are available to the hesitant drinker wherein four whiskies are lined up by distillery, age and region to offer a wide range of flavours to compare and contrast. The pub also serves as an ideal pit-stop location on the way to a gig at the adjacent Aberdeen Musical Hall. Price: Mid-range Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday: 10am – 12am Watch out for: The historic pub interior

Describing itself as a ‘subterranean late-night tavern serving boutique spirits, hand-crafted cocktails, fine Scottish ales and inspired casual dining’, The Tippling Housecaptures a 1930s speakeasy vibe to result in a cocktail lover’s dream. The whole venture came about via cocktail catering company 10 Dollar Shake with this, its first bar/restaurant that opened in 2012, aiming to deliver the company’s goal of a high-end imbibing experience. Tipples include the ‘Dufftown Boilermaker’ (Monkey Shoulder blended Scotch, Amaro Montenegro, Orgeat, fresh lemon and Drygate Gladeye IPA), the ‘Charlie Brown’s Pumpkin Patch’ (Rittenhouse rye whiskey, Cynar and seasonal pumpkin consommé) and ‘A Shadow Over Innsmouth’ (Ketel One Genever, Caol Ila peated single malt, Lapsang Souchong tea & kelp syrup, squid ink). Some of the delectable culinary offerings, available every-day from 5pm – 10pm, range from white crab mac and cheese to slow-cooked beef shin and blue cheese croquettes. Price: Mid-range Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 4pm – 2am; Friday and Saturday: 4pm – 3am Watch out for: The ‘Dufftown Boilermaker’