Ivy Lodge, the Aberdeen bar on one of the city’s most historic streets, is hitting new heights as it opens up a second floor.
The Shiprow pub this week doubled capacity to 300 with a new upstairs area, making it one of the biggest bars in Aberdeen.
It also means customers at Ivy Lodge can do something they haven’t been able to do before – go inside!
Ivy Lodge, which is housed in formerly derelict buildings in the heart of Aberdeen’s old maritime district, has until now been al fresco.
That’s because it started life in November 2020 as an outdoor pop-up bar as part of a project to bring life back to Shiprow.
A parade of patio heaters and a temporary roof warm the bones of customers sitting outdoors in the colder months. All to great success – Ivy Lodge’s owners say the bar has been just as busy this winter as it was in the summer.
However, customers will now have the choice to venture upstairs. And because the new second-floor bar has a late licence, the party can continue when downstairs closes at 10pm.
“We’ve got all the heaters downstairs, so it’s nice to have this indoor part as well,” says Monica McQuilter, general manager at the Ivy Lodge. “And something that will open later as well.”
Check out our exclusive pictures of Aberdeen’s all new Ivy Lodge bar
Over the past few months, Ivy Lodge has completed a huge refurbishment of the second-floor space – unveiled for the first time in our exclusive pictures.
The work has turned what was formerly part of Aberdeen night spot Oh Henry’s into a vibrant and airy bar.
The main area boasts a ceiling-high bar that towers over customers and is packed with bottles.
Elsewhere, there are little corners for private chats and a balcony that commands an eagle’s view of the bar.
Ivy Lodge gets into the Christmas spirit
Ivy Lodge is now gearing up for Christmas and expects the upstairs bar to play a big part in Aberdeen’s winter festivities.
“We’ve got so many people booked in for their Christmas parties,” says Monica, adding that the bar will also be busy on Mad Friday, one of the big party nights before Christmas.
“Mad Friday is going to be mad,” she says.
The new bar is a next step in the regeneration of Shiprow Village, a project spearheaded by Shiprow Village operations manager Keith Martin.
Keith also works with the nearby Craftsman Company bar and coffee shop and Malones pub and wants Shiprow to sit at the heart of Aberdeen’s nightlife scene.
“It’s really good to have local, small independent businesses as well as the chance to all work together,” says Monica, who has been part of the Shiprow project for two years.
“There’s so much history here and it’s good to see all the feedback we’re getting from people that have never been down to this part of town for a while.”
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