Aberdeen is a place of cool grey granite, oil money, good food and great drinking venues.
It may look a little grey from the outside, but dig a little deeper and you'll find a surprisingly colourful centre.
We've chosen five great bars we think you'll love in this amazing city:
1. One for the whisky drinkers... The Grill
Aberdeen and whisky are synonymous with the Grill. It really is the place to go if you're in the granite city and fancy a great malt. It's safe to say that the Grill has been an Aberdeen institution for over 100 years (it's been open in some format since 1870).
Nearly 600 whiskies fill the gantry where Scotch jostles with great drams from all over the world and the staff are always on hand to help pick out the one, two or even three whiskies you must try.
And when the choice just seems like too much - trust us you'll be like a kid in a candy shop - then the Grill offers its own wonderful sets of flights to take the hassle out of choosing.
Served in unique tasting trays, you'll be given four whiskies linked by distillery, age or region that will offer you a great range of flavours for you to compare and contrast.
The best part is you don't have to like whisky to appreciate this bar, it offers cask ales and craft beers by the bucket load and carries a selection of over 50 rums and gins too.
The Grill , 213 Union Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6BA
The Grill has an amazing array of whiskies. Picture: The Grill
2. One for the cocktail lovers... The Tippling House
For those of you who like your drinks mixed and your spirits a little more exotic then look no further than the Tippling House. This subterranean speak-easy style bar is a cocktail lover's dream, cool and classy, you'll want to come back again and again to try out all the different cocktails they have on offer.
The food is almost as fabulous as the drinks, ranging from white crab mac and cheese to slow-cooked beef shin and blue cheese croquettes, you'll be spoilt for choice.
The Tipping House also offer tastings and food pairings for those of you who are just that little bit more geeky about these things.
Opening hours: 4pm until 2am (3am on weekends).
The Tippling House, 4 Belmont Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JE
The awesomely named Heather Crowe cocktail at the Tippling House
3. For those who like something a little different... Amicus Apple
Amicus Apple is so achingly hip that it describes itself as more of a "lively social rendezvous" than a bar. Sporting a cool interior with bright colours and modern furniture, Amicus offers a plethora of New York style cocktails and a smart range of beer to enjoy. The cocktails range from twists on the classics, like the apple white lady and the BA Negroni, through to the surreal, such as Master Weasley's Wonderjuice ( yes it does involve irn bru) and the wonderfully named Fish House Punch.
Amicus also offers a great range of Scottish dishes that are well worth a look in if you're peckish while you make your way through their extensive drinks menu.
Amicus Apple, 67 Langstane Place, Aberdeen, AB11 6EN
Opening hours: Sunday to Tuesday open until 11pm, Wednesday and Thursday until 12am, then Friday and Saturday until 1am
4. One for those who love craft beer.... Brewdog
The place where it all began, the founding member (and flagship) of the now multiplying brand of Brewdog bars that are spread as far as Glasgow, Manchester and even Tokyo. The church of Brewdog (well it is fast becoming a cult) is the place to get access to some of the best craft beers from
Brewdog is definitely a mecca for beer lovers. Picture: Brewdog
around the world as well as Brewdog's own fantastic home grown range. The food is excellent, the staff are knowledgeable and the atmosphere is effortlessly cool. You'll easily lose hours in this place. Throw in the regular meet the brewers nights involving some of the world's best beer producers and who knows, you might even learn something too.
Brewdog Bar, 17 Gallowgate, Aberdeen, AB25 1EB
Opening hours: Sun to Thursday until 12am, Friday and Saturday until 1am
5. One for those who love live music.... The Globe Inn
Most weekends you'll find the Globe bouncing with atmosphere as the best of Aberdeen's local bands take to the stage to showcase their talent. A well known hotspot for those who love good bands and great atmosphere, this is probably not one for those of you who enjoy a quiet night out.
Traditional decor - complete with a wonderfully old shool wooden bar - keeps the place cosy, despite its size, and the staff are always friendly and welcoming.
And during the summer weeks - or months if you're an optimist - the Globe offers a beer garden to soak up the sunshine while you enjoy your drink.
Best of all the prices are excellent and the food on offer delicious, and if you love it as much as we think you might, you don't even have to leave as they have plenty of rooms upstairs to crash out after a great night.
The Globe Inn. Picture: Belhaven
www.theglobeinn-aberdeen.co.uk
The Globe, 13 North Silver Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1RJ
