Entertainment in Central Scotland
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Reading Rooms
Dundee’s hippest venue is an arty, bohemian hang-out in a run-down former library that hosts some of Scotland’s best indie club nights. Live gigs have ranged from island singer-songwriter Colin MacIntyre (aka Mull Historical Society) to Ayrshire rock band Biffy Clyro.
reviewed
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Aikman’s – the Cellar Bar
Aikman’s – The Cellar Bar Want to get away from clipped accents and enjoy a real beer or two? Any bar that has spent 19 years in the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Good Beer Guide is all right by us. Here you’ll find the best selection of real ales in town and a dimly lit cellar bar to enjoy them in. It’s worn around the edges (and in the middle too), but geez the beer is good. An antithesis to the more prissy bars in town.
reviewed
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Blue Lamp
A long-standing feature of the Aberdeen pub scene, the Blue Lamp is a favourite student hang-out – a dark and slightly dingy drinking den with beer, good craic (lively conversation) and a jukebox selection that has barely changed since Elvis died. There are regular sessions of live jazz, folk and acoustic music. The pub is 150m north of the city centre, along Broad St.
reviewed
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Oban Inn
The lively Oban Inn, overlooking the harbour by North Pier, is the best pub in town. It’s a traditional bar with wood panelling, brass rails and stained glass, and has real ales, a wide range of single malt whiskies and good bar food (£7) – the moules frites (mussels and chips) are a local favourite. Food is served from noon to 8.30pm.
reviewed
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Portcullis
Built in stone as solid as the castle that it stands below, this former school is just the spot for a pint and a pub lunch after your visit. With bar meals that would have had even William Wallace loosening his belt a couple of notches, a little beer garden, and a cosy buzz indoors, it’s well worth a visit; there are also rooms here (single/double £67/87).
reviewed
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Settle Inn
A warm welcome is guaranteed at Stirling’s oldest pub (1733), a spot redolent with atmosphere, what with its log fire, vaulted back room, and low-slung ceilings. Guest ales, atmospheric nooks for settling in for the night, and a blend of local characters make it a classic of its kind.
reviewed
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Twa Tams
Perth’s best pub has a strange outdoor space with windows peering out onto the street, an ornate entrance gate and large, cosy interior. There are regular events, including live music every Friday and Saturday night; it has a sound reputation for attracting talented young bands.
reviewed
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Oban Chocolate Company
This shop that specialises in hand-crafted chocolates (you can watch them being made) also has a cafe serving excellent coffee and hot chocolate (try the chilli chocolate for a kick in the tastebuds), with big leather sofas in a window with a view of the bay.
reviewed
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Reading Rooms
Dundee's hippest venue is an arty, bohemian hang-out in a run-down former library that hosts some of Scotland's best indie club nights. Live gigs have ranged from island singer-songwriter Colin MacIntyre (aka Mull Historical Society) to Ayrshire rock band Biffy Clyro.
reviewed
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Mull Theatre
One of Scotland’s best-known touring companies, putting on shows all over Scotland. It is based at Druimfin, about a mile south of Tobermory, which is the venue for most of its Mull-based performances; check the website for details of the latest shows.
reviewed
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Tunnels
This cavernous, subterranean club – the entrance is in a road tunnel beneath Union St – is a great live music venue, with a packed programme of up-and-coming Scottish bands. It also hosts regular DJ nights – check the website for the latest program.
reviewed
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Brennans
This pub is small in size but big on personality – there’s live music on weekends and a happy buzz every night. It’s a bit of a warren inside, with a low ceiling, but it’s very friendly and there are good ales on tap.
reviewed
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Victoria
Upstairs at the Victoria is popular with all types of students and serves good bar meals. There's a grungy cafe-bar here with plenty of natural light or a classier lounge bar where you can sink into a sofa. Check out the jazz on Sunday nights.
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Aulay’s Bar
An authentic Scottish pub, Aulay’s is cosy and low-ceilinged, its walls covered with old photographs of Oban ferries and other ships. It pulls in a mixed crowd of locals and visitors with its warm atmosphere and wide range of malt whiskies.
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Lorne Bar
A traditional pub with a lovely old island bar, the Lorne serves Deuchars IPA and local Oban Brewery real ales, as well as above-average pub grub. Food is served from noon to 9pm, and there’s a trad music session every Wednesday from 10pm.
reviewed
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O'Neill's
Upstairs at O'Neill's you're guaranteed a wild night of pounding, hardcore Irish rock, indie and alternative tunes Friday to Sunday; downstairs is a (slightly) quieter bar packed with rugby types downing large quantities of Murphy's stout.
reviewed
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West Port
Just by the gateway of the same name, this sleek, modernised pub has several levels, and a great beer garden out the back. Cheap cocktails rock the uni crowd, mixed drinks are above average, and there’s some OK bar food.
reviewed
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Prince of Wales
Tucked down an alley off Union St, Aberdeen's best-known pub boasts the longest bar in the city, and a great range of real ales and good-value pub grub. Quiet in the afternoons, but standing-room only in the evenings.
reviewed
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Ma Cameron’s
This is Aberdeen’s oldest pub (established in 1789). It has a pleasantly old-fashioned atmosphere, with lots of wood, brick and stone, and a range of excellent real ales and malt whiskies.
reviewed
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Snafu
Aberdeen's coolest club – though admittedly there isn't much competition – cosy Snafu offers a wide range of rotating club nights and guest DJs, as well as a Tuesday night comedy club and live music gigs.
reviewed
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Old Blackfriars
One of the most attractive traditional pubs in the city, with a lovely stone and timber interior, stained-glass windows and a relaxed atmosphere – a great place for an afternoon pint.
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Caird Hall
The Caird Hall hosts regular concerts of classical music, as well as organ recitals, rock bands, dances, comedians, fetes and fairs. Check its website for details of coming events.
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Lemon Tree Theatre
An interesting program of dance, music and drama, and often has live rock, jazz and folk bands playing. There are also children's shows, ranging from comedy to drama to puppetry.
reviewed
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McTavish’s Kitchens
The nightly ‘Scottish show’ here caters to the kilts-and-tartan tourist market, with Scottish country dancing, live bands, piping, fiddle music and Gaelic songs.
reviewed
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Central Bar
Rather staid compared to some of the wilder student-driven drinking options, this likeable pub keeps it real with traditional features, an island bar, lots of Scottish beers, decent service and filling (if uninspiring) pub grub.
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