Drinking: A New How-To & Where Guide
by admin • January 17, 2012 • Drinking • 2 Comments
A new, regular, alcohol-fuelled section for 2012. Adrian Gomes (that’s him in the photo) is your guide…
Introduction
Welcome to the new virtual bar at The Kiosque. We aim to keep you informed of the happenings within the local bar scene – who’s working where, what they’re drinking, what they think you should be drinking and which one of your exes they’re sleeping with. Jealous rage aside, there’s been a positively dramatic shift in the bar and drinking culture within Aberdeen recently, and some of the venues on our doorstep are aiming high; fine spirits, innovative and gastronomy-inspired cocktails, bartenders in vintage garb and craft beers are just a few of the highlights on offer. We’ll be starting off with a few of my favourite joints, as well as a little background on myself:
Works: 10 Dollar Shake, The Corpse & Cocktail @ 99 and Rumour Pop-Up Bar
Previous: Four-year stint as GM at Snafu, plus The Athenaeum, Pivo, ICI’s.
Off-Duty: Schmoozing in the likes of 99, Orchid and The Athenaeum.
Drinks: Rum, tequila, Old-Fashioned’s and the ‘Dopo Cena’; only the most important discovery of the 21st Century.
Travels: Boston & New England, Canada and India.
Looking Forward: The opening of my new bar. Soon. Very soon.
Looking Back: Estaminet. One of Aberdeen’s finest bars. Ever.
Bars:
Merchant Quarter
The Athenaeum | 5 – 9 Union Street | AB11 5BU | 01224 595585
Snafu’s little sister, The Athenaeum serves up well-priced comfort food courtesy of Chris Tonner’s Beetroot Empire, a fantastic range of rums and an eclectic music policy, with DJ’s.
www.theathenaeumaberdeen.com
BrewDog | 17 Gallowgate | AB25 1EB | 01224 631223
The BrewDog barks and the beer-world listens. A fine selection of their own award-winning craft beers, guest ales from Europe and the US, board games, meat & cheese platters and a healthy serving of tongue-in-cheek PR on the side.
www.brewdog.com/bars/aberdeen
Ninety-Nine Bar & Kitchen | 1 Back Wynd | AB10 1JN | 01224 631640
Arguably one of the best cocktail bars in the city, with eclectic DJ’s every weekend. Check out their industry night, The Corpse & Cocktail, every Sunday with yours truly as one of the hosts.
www.facebook.com/99-Bar-Kitchen
Bon Accord Quarter
Dusk | Langstane Place | AB11 6DJ | 01224 594430
Award-winning late-night venue situated in Aberdeen’s ‘cocktail quarter’. Dusk’s bartenders work hard, play harder and serve up some very fine mixed drinks.
www.duskbegins.co.uk
Orchid | Langstane Place | AB11 6DJ | 07771332756
One of the newest additions to the scene and recently having celebrated their 2nd birthday, Orchid specialize in hard-to-find spirits, a diverse cocktail list, fantastic bartenders and…pretty waitresses. What? It’s true. Open until 3am (2am weekdays), this is a regular off-duty bartender haunt.
www.orchidaberdeen.com
Amicus Apple | 67 Langstane Place | AB11 6EN | 01224 595904
Edinburgh’s Amicus Apple extended their reach to the Granite City recently. Great food and an admirable beer selection (Innis & Gunn on draught?). Their hiring policy for female bartenders competes with Hollister Clothing Co.
www.amicusapple.com/Aberdeen.html
More bars, drinks, and all sorts of good stuff coming soon…
Great addition to this site…
Thanks Matt. Looking forward to hopefully challenging perceptions of the drink industry, and highlighting some very talented individuals working in various bars.