Step into Slains...
Our Beginning...
Founded in September 1999, Slains Aberdeen (formerly Slains Castle) has been a staple in the community for over 25 years. Our pub has a rich history and has been a gathering place for locals and visitors alike. We are incredibly proud to continue this tradition and provide a welcoming atmosphere for all.
Every great city has a pub that captures its spirit - and in Aberdeen, that pub is Slains.
Housed in a converted 19th-century church on Belmont Street, Slains isn’t just another city-centre venue. It’s a beautiful gothic landmark with a story to tell, a place where old-world atmosphere meets modern nightlife, and where students, locals, and visitors all come together under one spectacular roof.
A Quick Summary
Once West St Nicholas Kirk, a church built in the 1830s, the building retains much of its original character - high ceilings, arching windows, and hints of stunning gothic architecture throughout. Over time, it’s evolved into one of Aberdeen’s most recognisable pubs, loved for its theatrical interior and buzzing atmosphere.
A major refurbishment in 2024 gave us a new lease of life, refreshing the downstairs interiors, upgrading facilities, and adding a stylish outdoor area - all while keeping the charm that makes us so iconic.
The result? An incredible venue that feels both heritage-rich and contemporary, perfectly equipped for today’s diverse city crowd.
Our Building
Our home on Belmont Street was originally the South Parish Church. Designed by the prolific Aberdeen architect John Smith and completed in 1830-1831, the building is a masterclass in Gothic Revival style. For over a century, these soaring ceilings and pointed arches hosted a different kind of gathering.
In the late 1990s, the building was meticulously transformed into a pub with the name Slains Castle. Great care was taken to preserve the ecclesiastical bones of the structure, such as the intricate stonework, stained glass windows, and more, all creating a venue that feels as though it was carved directly out of the Aberdeenshire cliffs.
Our Inspiration
Our namesake lies 25 miles north, situated rather precariously on the jagged rocks of Cruden Bay. Built in 1597 by the 9th Earl of Erroll, (New) Slains Castle was once one of the most magnificent homes in Scotland. Over the centuries, it hosted royalty and high society before falling into the haunting, roofless ruin that still stands today.
It was these very ruins that sparked a literary revolution. This is because in 1894, author Bram Stoker stayed at the nearby Kilmarnock Arms. It is widely believed that the castle’s unique octagonal hall and its impressive silhouette against the North Sea horizon served as the main inspiration for the lair of Count Dracula. The opening of Slains Castle Pub in 1999 channeled exactly that gothic mystery, blending local heritage with a touch of the macabre and eerie.
DID YOU KNOW?
The original Old Slains Castle was actually blown up with gunpowder in 1594 by King James VI after the Earl of Erroll took part in a rebellion.
Our Street
Belmont Street has long been the heartbeat of the "Granite City." It was originally built on a ridge overlooking the Denburn Valley, which is now the Union Terrace Gardens and Denburn Road, and the area quickly became a prestigious address for Aberdeen’s elite and its most grand religious institutions.
By the mid-20th century, the street shifted from a center of worship full of churches, to a center of culture. Slains sits at the crown of this historic thoroughfare, bridging the gap between the Victorian/Gothic elegance of the past and the vibrant, social energy of modern-day Aberdeen. This black-and-white photograph was taken in the mid-1900's (30s-40s).