Summer is here and many of us are looking forward to catching up with pals for a drink outdoors over the coming months.
While the temperatures over the last week won’t have had many of us reaching for the sun cream, we live in hope of things improving.
And when the sun does appear, it’s inevitable the city’s popular beer gardens will fill up… But could things be taken to the next level?
Over the last few years, revellers in other UK cities (including Glasgow, Edinburgh and even St Andrews) have had the chance to spend time with friends in high places.
Aberdeen is one of the last major places in Scotland without one.
Amid mounting efforts to boost the city centre, and with the old John Lewis being put to a bold new use as a go-karting track, we wonder if some of the Granite City’s prominent buildings could be the perfect place for a towering tipple.
Should Aberdeen join the trend? Here we list some of the spots that could be repurposed into a great sky high bar…
And later on, you can vote in our poll on where would be best for an Aberdeen rooftop bar!
1. Former BT office building
Let’s start with one of the tallest buildings on the Aberdeen skyline.
The 11-storey former BT building has been empty since November 2020 and recently hit the market for £2 million.
With more people working from home since lockdown, office spaces across the Granite City have been lying empty.
There’s little chance of them being brought back to life as workplaces so a bold new approach could be needed.
And property experts CBRE have hailed its “potential for a variety of uses”.
Its central location right next to the railway station, and the towering height, could make it perfect for a rooftop bar overlooking the hustle and bustle of Union Square.
This would emulate the success of other abandoned office buildings in London, such as a 1960s Post Office tower and a block next to London Bridge, which have been converted for some skyline socialising.
2. The Trinity Centre
The Trinity Centre has seen a resurgence over the past year, with new food outlets such as Resting Brunch Face and Shot ‘n’ Roll opening up since new owners Ardent pledged to turn it around.
And what better to accompany these new offerings than a rooftop bar with views of the Granite Mile?
The shopping centre was bought by local businessman Robert Keane about a year ago, who has already transformed Shiprow lane into a hotspot for food and drink.
Could he possibly do the same, and make The Trinity Centre the place-to-go for food and drink in the city?
When he took the reins, we asked him about the possibility of a rooftop destination.
Robert wouldn’t rule out the idea, simply telling us: “We are looking at all possibilities”.
3. The old John Lewis building
The future of the former department store John Lewis in Aberdeen has been shrouded in mystery ever since the retail giants left the city.
But after The Press and Journal revealed last night that a go-kart track was in the works, what other out-of-the-box ideas could be lined up for Norco House?
Before the go-kart track plans were revealed, a produce market was discussed as a possible option for filling the vacant space.
However, these talks hit a stalemate between building owners EP Properties and the George Street Market Collective.
With a go-kart track already in the works, might the new owners be looking at other ways to transform it into a destination?
4. Atholl House
Guild Street’s Atholl House was once home to oil and gas firms, and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service – but has now sat as an empty eyesore for years.
The building was planned to be demolished back in 2018 to make way for new flats, but those proposals never took off amid the downturn hammering the city.
With the office space having been up for lease for almost seven years, is it time that Atholl House was transformed into something the whole city could enjoy?
The location offers great views over the city centre and the railway station.
5. Esslemont and Macintosh building
This C-listed former shopping mecca sits at the bottom of Union Street, and is currently home to Miller and Carter, The Esslemont and Mac’s Pizzeria on the ground levels.
Home of the former department store Esslemont and Macintosh for 134 years, the upper floors of the building have laid empty since it closed in 2007.
It was sold for under £300,000 in May, and a new developer would have a great opportunity to add to the building’s food offerings with a first-of-its-kind for Aberdeen rooftop bar.
6. Bon Accord Centre rooftop bar has been mooted by Aberdeen City Council…
Similar to The Trinity Centre, the Bon Accord Centre has also bounced back in the past 12 months, with units filling up month by month.
Danish retailer Søstrene Grene, Edinburgh Woollen Mill and lifestyle store edit are all bringing back the buzz.
The idea of a rooftop bar there isn’t entirely new…
7. RBS on Union Street
The impressive Royal Bank of Scotland branch on Union Street has been a stalwart of the Granite Mile for about 100 years.
But the B-listed bank has been earmarked for closure this October, and ideas for a drinks museum have already been touted.
The area is already surrounded by whisky history, with Scotland’s oldest independent whisky bottler Wm Cadenhead’s starting just around the corner, along with Chivas Brothers’ first store at the bottom of King Street.
If the museum idea were to come to fruition, would a rooftop bar be the perfect way to top off a tour?
8. Could former police HQ on Queen Street host Aberdeen rooftop bar?
Aberdeen’s former police HQ on Queen Street has been empty since the force relocated to nearby Marischal College a few years ago.
Previous plans to demolish it for a public park now seem unlikely to progress.
Officials have been looking into making use of it for businesses or homes – but could some blue-sky thinking see the top of the building transformed?
9. His Majesty’s Theatre
Last but not least, His Majesty’s Theatre could provide the perfect stage for a spot of high-altitude hospitality.
Situated on Rosemount Viaduct, the 118-year-old building already has fantastic options for eating out, and brilliant views over Union Terrace Gardens.
What sounds better than a night out to get something to eat, see a show and enjoy the wonderful night time views over the gardens and the city’s architecture?
Rooftop bar almost arrived two years ago
Back in 2022, Aberdeen was on track to have its first rooftop bar.
A proposal was approved by the council to allow The Justice Mill Wetherspoons on Union Street to go ahead with work on the sky high spot.
However, two years on the plans have yet to take shape.
Where do you think would make a great spot for a rooftop bar? Vote for your favourite location in our poll, and tell us your thoughts in our comments section!
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