Queens Hotel, Lerwick

Sited in a nice location on the waterfront, the bar entrance is tucked in at the start of a long, narrow and windy road to the rear. It’s a small mish-mash hotel bar with a faint late 70’s / early 80’s feel; bar and back done in dark varnish with backlit plastic flower motifs, blood red banquettes, blue and gold carpets. Hyperactive Weegie staff who were making entertainment by throwing things out of the window at passers-by, much to the amusement of the local alcy who I spotted in the bar every time I walked past the place. It did feel a bit uncomfortable in here and I get the feeling that I would have been the main topic of conversation upon exiting (at least I didn’t get anything chucked at me). Lerwick bottles in the fridge and their IPA on keg, as seems to be standard for most of Lerwick’s bars. Once was enough.

Beautifully situated on the waterfront next to Lerwick’s small beach, but unfortunately the best views are available only from the restaurant and some of the residential areas. The lounge bar, which also serves food, just looks onto the main street. Seating is a bit scarce, with only four small tables along the walls and half a dozen bar stools. The draught beer selection, too, is limited, with only Tennent’s lager (at £3.25 a pint), Belhaven Best, Belhaven Black Scottish Stout and Guinness on tap. Downstairs, where the toilets can be found, there is also a rather bare looking games room containing a pool table, a darts board and a few more stools around tables.