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The 5 best Aberdeen pubs for a Guinness this St Patrick’s Day

On St Patrick's Day you can guarantee the pubs will be heaving, but what you can't guarantee, sadly, is a good Guinness. Here's my pick of the best bets for a great pint of the black stuff in Aberdeen.

McGinty's Bar on Union Street is a great place for a Guinness this St Patrick's Day. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson.
McGinty's Bar on Union Street is a great place for a Guinness this St Patrick's Day. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson.

St Patrick’s Day in Aberdeen is one of the best nights in the year to hit the pubs for a pint of Guinness… as long as you’re not after a quiet one.

But where serves the best pint of the black stuff?

I’m firmly in the camp of Guinness being a binary thing, not a spectrum — in my experience, pubs either do great Guinness, or rubbish Guinness.

That being said, there are some places where it does somehow taste that much better, even if it is at the end of the day all the same beer from the Dublin brewery.

So to prepare for St Patrick’s Day 2024, I’ve put together my list (in no particular order) of the Aberdeen pubs with the best Guinness for you to enjoy.

1. McGinty’s

The bar at McGinty’s, located at the top of Union Street. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson.

Located up at the top of Union Street is McGinty’s, the home turf of the McGinty’s pub and restaurant empire in Aberdeen.

With its massive long bar area, you’ll have plenty space to wait for the awkwardly long pour-time for your Guinness.

I’ve had plenty of great pints of it here as it’s just along the road from me, and the highly professional staff are always a good laugh.

2. Malones

Malones on Shiprow.
Malones is situated on Shiprow in Aberdeen city centre. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson.

What, you were expecting an article about places to drink Guinness in Aberdeen without Malones popping up at some point?

Definitely my favourite Irish pub in the city, on quiet nights it’s chilled out, and on busy nights, it’s heaving in a pleasantly chaotic way, like all good Irish pubs should be.

And what’s more, it’s definitely some of the best Guinness in Aberdeen.

If you’re heading here on St Patrick’s Day, don’t expect to find a seat!

3. Triple Kirks

Triple Kirks, at the end of Belmont Street. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson.

Triple Kirks, otherwise known as TK’s, might not be the first place you’d think of for a few rounds of Guinness with your pals.

But I can assure you they can pour a mean pint of G.

If you’re after a bustling atmosphere for St Patrick’s Day, Triple Kirks will have it in spades, and as an added bonus, there’s so much seating you’re most likely to find a comfy spot if you’re out long enough.

4. The Dutch Mill

The bar of the Dutch Mill hotel on Aberdeen’s Queen’s Road. Image: Kath Flannery/DC Thomson

Way over on the other side of the city on Queen’s Road, you can always guarantee a superb pint of Guinness at The Dutch Mill.

If you book, which I’d advise, you can even get some great local food to go with it as well.

But if you’re just out for some bevvies, not only is there loads of space for standing or seating beverage enjoyment indoors, they’ve also got expansive outdoor areas, covered in the front if it’s (most likely) raining and cold, and an open area out back.

5. The Grill

The sign for The Grill on Union Street.
The Grill, on Union Street. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

If all these funky new venues are leaving you thirsty for a more traditional pub to enjoy your Guinness, you simply can’t go wrong with The Grill.

I’ve had more than my fair share of pints of Guinness in this bar across the road from the Music Hall over the years, and they never disappoint.

And if you get sick of all the shamrocks, you can always pivot away from the famous stout for a few drams from the bar’s extensive whisky collection.


  • Kieran is a former craft beer barman and publishes his beer column every Tuesday online. You can also read his column in the P&J’s Food and Drink magazine, which you can find inside your Press and Journal newspaper every Saturday.

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