When I first walked into The Art Bar on Perth Road, Dundee, it was completely by chance. It was a Tuesday night and, having just made it through a particularly grisly deadline, I’d headed out to Dundee with some friends in search of something to do outside of the St Andrews pub scene.
Unfortunately, when our initial tentative plans for revelry fell through, we found ourselves having no idea where to go. After a few fruitless Google searches, we were about to give up, go to Spoons for a pint or two, and then head back to St Andrews knowing deep down that we could have just stayed there all along when we had a second wind and decided that we couldn’t give up. It was a balmy spring evening (Scottish translation: above 5 degrees Celsius) and we felt that we hadn’t possibly scratched the surface of Dundee student nightlife – how right we were!
We ventured up Perth Road and, to the left of Dundee College of Art & Design, our heads were turned by the sound of laughter, singing and a sea of leather-jacket clad, guitar-toting students buzzing in and out of the venue. Like moths drawn to a flame, or St Andrews students drawn to anywhere that remotely resembles Aikman’s, we made our way down the stone staircase and into what would soon become our favourite Dundee haunt, Art Bar.
Source: Pexels.
At this point in the article I think I should make it clear that Art Bar is, unfortunately, not some secret underground joint that I have discovered. Talking to a friend from Dundee later on in the year, she confirmed that it is a favourite spot of students in Dundee and this becomes clear from the moment you walk in. However, considering in St Andrews it is virtually impossible to stumble upon anywhere given its size, “finding” a venue in Dundee was exciting and, in all honesty, felt like a discovery. Not to mention, it is, in my opinion, a very good pub. As the name suggests, it is an eclectic venue, full of art made by students and locals that gives the space an intimate feel. The bar itself has all the usual classics but it is also a music-forward, social space, so it’s not a pub that feels focused on drinking. It has a small outdoor area that, admittedly, I’ve only sat in once because I’m always there for the music but definitely helps the venue accommodate more people.
This brings me to my favourite thing about Art Bar; their Tuesday open mic nights. Before you get apprehensive, forget everything you might think about volunteer-based live music. Forget your two aunts attempting to belt out Celine Dion at the family Christmas party or the one person that always insists on singing Bohemian Rhapsody in full. This isn’t that. This is local talent singing songs that people actually want to listen to. Usually, it’s a mix of classic rock and modern folksy tunes – think Paolo Nutini and Mazzy Star. Occasionally, particularly towards the end of the open mic, people will also get up and dance and it’s a welcoming and relaxed evening. Anyone can bring their instruments and get up and sing, everyone makes an effort to listen and clap (but you can also talk as long as you’re respectful) and, crucially, everyone seems to be having a good time. If you’re someone who, like me, loves the live music scene at St Andrews and is always on the hunt for more, I cannot recommend it enough. Not to mention, it usually finishes just after 11 so you have plenty of time to make the last bus back to St Andrews and be safely tucked up in bed by midnight.
Source: Instagram/ @artbarofficial.
All in all, since stumbling upon Art Bar one fateful night, I’ve made many happy memories there with my friends, bopping along to gently strum covers of Wicked Game and Don’t Let Me Down. Therefore, if you’re looking for a mellow and reliable evening in Dundee, look no further.
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