Ma Cameron's, Aberdeen

There are a couple of seating areas and a snug connected by a corridor in the front of Ma Camerons, I had to ask for directions to the bar which is located at the rear. There was a decent size crowd gathered for the weekly quiz when I visited on a recent Monday evening. Plasma screens for showing Sky Sports are located throughout, these were muted as some background music played. The U-shaped bar supports standard and premium keg products and I counted four hand pumps. The Inveralmond Ossian was off leaving Greene King IPA, Old Speckled Hen and Belhaven 1719 as the ale options. Food is available, I didn’t read the menu but noted that two meals are available for £11.99. I found the service to be polite and would return.

Looks quite quaint from the outside but inside, once you get past the small entrance, is a large and fairly corporate place (“would sir like crisps and nuts?” quoth the barman upon my order) which you’d assume would be everything once you’ve found the pumps at the rear of the bar (all operational; GK IPA, house beer of unknown provenance and two from Inveralmond. My Ossian was a bit cold but in decent nick), along with the screens for sports – the rugby was on full blast and had attracted a decent crowd). However there is a little hidden gem which is to the right as you enter; the snug rooms which are small and intimate and a calmer place to imbibe (although there are small sports screens). One of the two rooms (the one with the bar) has been tarted-up so don't expect pure olde worlde stylings as the wood panelling has been painted and harsh ceiling lights installed. The small bar here was serving up three ales, 2x Inveralmond and GK Scrum Down. Beware that these rooms are only open at peak times (3-10 Friday, 12 - midnight Saturday and 12 - 5 Sunday; closed Monday to Thursday, according to WhatPub). If you’re visiting when the snug is open it’s definitely worth going, if not then it’s less essential.