Are you partial to a tipple, tea or smoothie and based in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire? Then it’s time to raise a glass.
Yes, we have witnessed a number of hospitality venues close over the course of the pandemic across the region.
But the testing and difficult period has resulted in other doors opening, too, some being bars serving up a variety of tempting cocktails, beers, wines, gins, mocktails and more, as well as nutritious soft drinks.
To celebrate these rising businesses, the food and drink team has pulled together a line-up of bars that have opened during the pandemic.
If they aren’t already on your list of must-visit food and drink venues in the north-east, then be sure to add them.
Barbelow – Aberdeen
Starting out on a high, and arguably one of the most exciting wine and cocktail bars in Aberdeen at the moment, Barbelow opened its doors to the masses less than two weeks ago.
Launched by Emily Hailstones and her partner Hayley Fisher, the duo behind Aberdeen’s Olive Alexanders, the bar is kitted out with antiques and unique items. It aims to bring contemporary, high-quality, quirky drinks to the local food and drink scene.
The drinks menu features cocktails named Peach for the Sky, Watermelon Jalapeno Mojito and Orange Creamsicle, among others – what’s not to love?
The Workshop – Aberdeen
A cocktail bar based in one of Aberdeen’s most upcoming areas, Shiprow Village? Don’t mind if we do.
The Workshop, which opened its doors in December, has already made quite the impact on drinks fans in the area.
Serving a range of mouth-watering cocktails and beers, you can stop by the exciting venue from 5pm to 1am Wednesday to Friday, 2pm to 1am on Saturdays and 5pm to midnight on Sundays.
Ivy Lodge – Aberdeen
Independent firms The Craftsman Company, Aberdeen Douglas Hotel, Molly’s Bistro and Irish pub Malones Bar all teamed up to create The Ivy Lodge, which opened in November 2020.
They came together as a result of the Covid restrictions affecting hospitality businesses to help give local staff the opportunity to take on more shifts and support them further in the lead-up to Christmas.
And the bar, which also serves a range of pizzas, certainly did the trick. It is now open to the public again after a short winter break.
Sugarbird Wines – Aberdeen
Local wine fans celebrated in September last year after news broke out that a stylish new wine bar and shop was opening in Aberdeen, known as Sugarbird Wines.
Based on Union Grove, the business is owned and run by Ruth Grahame and her husband Alex who moved back to the city from South Africa during the pandemic.
The duo, who have owned two restaurants to date, one in South Africa and their first in the north-east, wanted to bring something new to the city, adding to its already diverse drinks offering.
Under the Hammer – Aberdeen
One of Aberdeen’s beloved pubs Under the Hammer, which closed in March 2020, reopened under new ownership in November following an extensive £200,000 refurbishment.
The popular 50-seater basement bar located on North Silver Street, just off Golden Square, welcomed back new and old customers alike with a stylish new look.
The transformed space now includes a hand-crafted bar and modern interiors with a nod to the venue’s heritage throughout.
Bertie’s Whisky Bar – Braemar
Bertie’s Whisky Bar is the latest addition at the Fife Arms in Braemar. And the space is something quite remarkable, to say the least.
A nod to Queen Victoria’s eldest son, King Edward VII, also known as “Bertie”, the bar is located in the former library space and houses 365 different whiskies for customers to try.
It is steeped in history, like most things at the stunning five-star hotel.
Faffless – Aberdeen
Situated on Netherkirkgate, off Union Street, Craig Thom opened the doors to his own whisky and wine bar Faffless in September last year.
The 25-year-old, who grew up in Fraserburgh, began renting the space last summer to make the vision of his dream bar a reality.
Now, not only is he serving a line-up of wines, whiskies, gins, sakes, rums and beers, but the venue also operates as a coffee shop offering high-quality coffees and teas, home bakes, sandwiches and cheese and charcuterie boards.
Fun Tea – Aberdeen
As 2021 was drawing to a close, the Granite City was treated to the opening of a new bubble tea bar on Back Wynd, known as Fun Tea.
Owner Shuqin (Amy) You, who already had a decade’s worth of experience in managing a takeaway, HoLok Chinese and Thai in Peterculter, was keen to welcome a new drinks business specialising in bubble tea to the city centre.
The store sells a wide variety of flavoured teas and smoothies, as well as homemade desserts.
The Beach Bar – Aberdeen
Originally opening its doors in September 2020, The Beach Bar on Aberdeen’s Beach Esplanade closed last summer to develop its food and drink offering and implement state-of-the-art gaming equipment for customers.
Kitted out with a line-up of visually striking features including comic book style wall art, foliage walls and neon signage, the venue also boasts a VIP area with views overlooking the seafront, a sleek and modern cocktail bar, and a draught beer bar that has its own 85-inch TV showing Sky Sports.
Be sure to try out a candyfloss martini during your visit. You won’t be disappointed…
BrewDog DogTap – Ellon
Scottish craft beer giants BrewDog opened the region’s first beer museum in October 2020. But that isn’t all the two-floor venue houses.
Located at the brewery’s headquarters in Ellon, the mega-sized DogTap bar also features 30 different taps, shuffleboards, an events space, a beer and merchandise shop, and an outdoor beer garden.
If you’re yet to stop by, you’ll need to tuck into the deep-fried Oreos…
Hea Tea – Aberdeen
Hea owners Karen Choy, 24, and Ringo Lee, 22, were born and raised in Hong Kong and know the ins and outs of bubble tea, which is increasing in popularity in the north-east among other places.
They launched their business from home in January 2020, delivering to areas around Aberdeen University, and finally opened their first premises on Castle Street in Aberdeen last September.
Not only can customers pick their preferred tea whilst stopping by, but Karen and Ringo are open to answering any questions about the tea-based drink in order to educate locals.
