VIDEO: First visitors dive into ball pit wonderland as 3 Mad Hatters opens in Aberdeen

By Craig Munro and Derry Alldritt

October 21 2022, 11:45 am

Keen revellers dashed to Justice Mill Lane last night for a very important date: the opening of 3 Mad Hatters, Aberdeen’s latest nightlife offering.

Buzz had been building for weeks ahead of the big night, so we sent our social media guru Derry Alldritt to check the place out.

Workmen were still applying the final touches to the fluorescent wonderland as he walked in alongside the very first visitors, several of whom hurried to the most headline-grabbing attraction.

Taylor Lamont, Charley Collins, Nicole Anderson and Kiesha McGillivray in the ball pit. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Taylor Lamont sinks into the ball pit. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

The venue is home to Scotland’s largest ball pit, featuring around 200,000 clear plastic balls.

Our pictures from the night show people standing in what looks like an enormous bubble bath coming up to their waists – before they fall backwards and get submerged up to their chins.

Nicole Anderson and Kiesha McGillivray enjoy the ball pit. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Aberdeen venue 3 Mad Hatters in Aberdeen features the largest ball pit in Scotland. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Unfortunately, Derry learned the hard way that you should empty your pockets before diving in…

He was lucky a helpful staff member was willing to rummage around to find the wallet that had slipped out while he was messing around.

The cocktail bar at 3 Mad Hatters. Picture by Kenny Elrick

The venue is decorated with glow-in-the-dark paint. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Bar and arcade also on offer

But the ball pit isn’t the only draw for visitors to 3 Mad Hatters.

The venue spans three floors, with attractions such as karaoke and a cocktail bar to be found.

Gaming fans might also enjoy the retro arcade, where they can play classics such as Space Invaders and Pac-Man.

Charley Collins has a go at retro Track and Field. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Kiesha McGillivray has a go on one of the driving games. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

It could soon be one of two such sites in Aberdeen, if £1 million plans for a huge ‘barcade’ in former nightclub Espionage get the go-ahead.

Tony Cochrane, the owner of 3 Mad Hatters, described Thursday night as a “soft launch” ahead of a “fast and furious” weekend when he is expecting queues around the block.

He said: “The interest has just been mad, probably the most interest there’s been in any club we’ve opened.

“It seems to have hit a nerve, just proving that people want to have fun again.”

The arcade floor at 3 Mad Hatters. Image: Kenny Elrick/DC Thomson

Mr Cochrane has a busy weekend ahead of him.

On Saturday, he will be opening another new nightclub in the city: Aura, on Chapel Street.

He hopes it will emulate the success of its sister club in Dundee by offering a more modern soundtrack than the nostalgia-focused Club Tropicana nearby.

There’s more here on the Evening Express Instagram page.