Dundee (General)
City Centre
Market Seagate.
This is the nearest real ale outlet to the bus station, serving 1-2 real ales, usually Scottish. Large open plan bars on two levels. All day and evening food menu. Lots of TVs, all showing sport.
Pillars Crichton Street.
The oldest pub in the city, full of character(s). Original features inside. One handpull for real ale. CAMRA discount.
Star & Garter Union Street.
Another pub which internally is full of character. Two real ales, often local . Saloon bar to rear now a whisky bar, but ale drinkers are permitted entry! Nearest real ale pub to railway station.
Bank Bar Union Street.
As the name suggests it’s a former bank. Four real ales always on, often local ales. Food served during the day making way for music on some evenings. Not to be confused with the Old Bank Bar, which has no real ale, in Reform Street.
Phoenix Nethergate.
A Dundee institution so as a result often very busy. Five real ales usually on, including some from local breweries. Fine gantry. Food served day and evening, but sometimes hard to get a table.
Counting House Albert Square.
Smaller than you’d expect from the only Wetherspoons in the city, so always busy, but plenty of ales to choose from.
Elsewhere in the city.
Speedwell Bar (Mennies) Perth Road
Edwardian listed heritage pub with three real ales. Often one being local. Family owned and run. CAMRA discount. Was CAMRA Scottish pub of the year runner up in 2023. Frequent bus service from Nethergate opposite city churches.
George Orwell Perth Road.
Near University, so popular with students, walkable from city centre or get bus from Nethergate opposite city churches. Usually two real ales with local Law beers often featuring. CAMRA discount . Doesn’t open till 4pm, and closed on Sundays.
Frews Bar Coldside.
A heritage pub with occasional real ales. Near football grounds, so can be busy on match days . Visitors can view the art deco Sporting Lounge on request. Sporting memorabilia there has its own heritage value. Frequent buses from either Albert Square or High street.
Other pubs of interest
Dundee has a number of pubs of architectural and/or historical interest, which unfortunately do not serve cask or membrane-keg ales, or real cider or perry, but are nonetheless worth a visit.
Clep Bar Clepington Road.
Another heritage pub worth visiting. Walking distance from Frews so also frequent buses from city centre. No real ale . Sporting memorabilia also adorns the walls.