Blue Lamp, 121 Gallowgate, ABERDEEN, AB25 1BU [Map]
01224 647472 
11-00 MO-SA (lounge to 01 FR-SA); 12:30-14:30, 18:30-23 SU
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A good studenty pub, near Aberdeen College with a lively atmosphere especially when there's a band on. The pub is only a few minutes walk from the main shopping street in Aberdeen and you'll soon recognise the pub by the 'Blue Lamp' hanging outside. Real ales usually include the award winning Caledonian Deuchars IPA and Caledonian 80/- as well as Theakston Best Bitter, and they had a guest that I hadn't heard of in the public bar.

The public bar is to the left as you approach the pub. It's small but has comfortable seats and the atmosphere there is much more relaxed than the lounge bar.

The lounge is a stone floored room with some seating around the edge and a stage at the far end. They often have bands in at the end of the week, and at other times there's a free jukebox. I first visited the pub in 1995 on a quiet night and was impressed by the beer. I returned during April 1998 and was impressed not only by the beer (they had Scotland's Champion (on electric pump!?!) and runner-up (luckily on hand pump) beers on offer) but also by the excellent band 'Drop the Box' that were playing. It must be said we all had a great night and ended up dancing with a few dozen locals. They were certainly no ordinary pub band with a great fiddler from Shetland, far better than me!