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Wordies Ale House: End of an era as workers rip apart Aberdeen pub years after final pints were pulled

It's the end of Wordies as we know it.

To go with story by Ben Hendry. Wordies end of an era Picture shows; Wordies UpperKirkgate . Aberdeen. Ben Hendry/DCT Media Date; 22/11/2023
To go with story by Ben Hendry. Wordies end of an era Picture shows; Wordies UpperKirkgate . Aberdeen. Ben Hendry/DCT Media Date; 22/11/2023

Workers are ripping apart Wordies Ale House as work on a £300,000 revamp takes shape.

The beloved Aberdeen boozer closed in December 2021, and the council approved transformation plans last March.

Since then it has lain dormant, with post piling up at the door, but now the revamp is under way.

Workers were seen at the Schoolhill spot on Wednesday, November 22, taking apart fixtures and fittings, and dumping them into the back of a truck.

Picture shows the front of Aberdeen's Wordies Ale House.
The truck outside Wordies on Schoolhill in Aberdeen. Image: Ben Hendry/DC Thomson
Workers take apart Wordies. Image: Ben Hendry/DC Thomson

Why is Wordies being taken apart?

The bar’s fate was decided when the new owner put in plans to create four flats upstairs, with accompanying shops at ground level.

He was told the scheme could only be allowed if he converted the old fashioned tavern into something a bit less noisy first.

Image shows piles of wooden plans and rubble inside Aberdeen's Wordies Ale House.
Here’s what the pub looked like today. It was originally built over what used to be a pend and stables used by Wordie and Co Carriers, which owned the horses that worked at the harbour. Image: Ben Hendry/DC Thomson

Local authority staff said having a busy bar downstairs would mean those living in the properties wouldn’t have “an adequate level of residential amenity”.

While permission has been granted for a shop, it’s understood it could yet reopen as a classy wine bar.

Wordies, with the Aberdeen Christmas Village in the background. Image: Ben Hendry/DC Thomson

Do you have fond memories of Wordies Ale House? Let us know in our comments section below


A look on TripAdvisor reveals that Wordies Ale House’s “unpretentious” style meant many visitors took the Aberdeen pub to their hearts.

One user described it as “a good honest bar with no pretensions and a good pint”.

Building papers indicate the works taking place at the Schoolhill site cost £300,000.

Ultimately, five retail units will be formed at the ground floor level with neighbouring buildings also in line for upgrades.

Regulars and former staff share their memories of Wordies:

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