Aberdeen Entertainment
Bars and Nightclubs
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Like most busy ports, Aberdeen has a large transient population with lots of cash to spend. Consequently, its numerous loud, flashy bars and traditional pubs are usually packed with people out for a good time.
The Prince of Wales, 7 St Nicholas La, just off Union St, Tel. 640597. The best pub in the city, with a great selection of real ales and a real flagstone floor. Also does very cheap bar food and gets very crowded. Traditional fiddle music on Sun evenings.
There are lots of trendy bars in Justice Mill Lane, off the West End of Union St, which fall in and out of fashion, but Bex is a perennial fave.
Café Society, 9 Queen's Rd, opposite the youth hostel. A bit of an oil workers' pick-up joint, but has a good beer garden and serves food till 2200.
Cocky Hunters, 504 Union St. Very popular with students and young professionals, and features regular live music.
The Globe, 13 North Silver St. Down-to-earth café-bar which serves decent food at lunchtime.
Ma Cameron's Inn, Little Belmont St. The city's oldest pub, though the old bit now constitutes only a small section, serves food at lunch and early evening.
In the same street is The Old Town School, which is more of a modern theme bar but has a good selection of ales and does food.
O'Neill's, 9 Back Wynd. An Irish theme pub which serves decent grub, a good selection of Irish beers, stout and whiskeys, and has live folk music at weekends. Wild club upstairs (see below).
Under the Hammer, North Silver Street, along from The Globe, a basement wine bar which attracts a more mature crowd. Open evenings only.
Aberdeen also has numerous nightclubs to choose from, most of which close at 0200. Pick of the bunch is Ministry of Sin, 16 Dee St, Tel. 211661, off Union St. The faithful congregate in this converted church for a heavenly mix of cool sounds and atmosphere. Popular with students and oldies. Often has big-name guest DJs and open 7 days.
The Works, 9 Belmont St. Subterranean and sub-twenties, sweaty and lively kind of a place. Open Thu-Sat till 0200.
Oh'Henry's, 20 Adelphi Close, just off Union St. Very studenty and therefore very retro (70s and 80s).
The Pelican at the Metro Hotel, Market St. Basement club featuring live indie bands and guest DJs. Open Thu-Sat.
O'Neill's, 9 Back Wynd. Upstairs in Irish theme pub. Nominal cover charge gets you a wild, raucous night of Irish music till 0200. Lots of stamina needed, hence the younger crowd.
Entertainment
Tickets for most plays and concerts can be booked at the box office, next to the Music Hall on Union St, Tel. 641122. Open Mon-Sat 1000-1800
Cinema: Among the city's mainstream cinemas is Virgin, Tel. 572228, a huge 9-screen complex on Beach Esplanade; and the Odeon, Tel. 916422, on Justice Mill Lane.
Theatre: His Majesty's, Rosemount Viaduct, Tel. 637788. Aberdeen's main theatre, with a programme featuring opera, ballet, musicals and panto. Music Hall, Union St, Tel. 632508.
The main venue for classical music concerts, as well as big-name comedy acts. Capitol Theatre, 431 Union St, Tel. 583141. Venue for smaller touring rock and pop bands. Aberdeen Arts Centre, 33 King St, Tel. 635208. Stages a variety of theatrical productions and exhibitions, and also shows arthouse movies.
The Lemon Tree, 5 West North St, Tel. 642230. The hub of the city's arts scene, with a wide and varied programme of events, including live jazz and folk, comedy and contemporary drama. Also has a good café/bar-restaurant.