- Phone
- +441224729056
- Address
- Airside, Aberdeen International Airport, Dyce, Aberdeen AB21 7DU, Scotland, United Kingdom
Airside pints are rare at ABZ, but this place delivers
In Terminal T1 after security, The Distilling House is one of the few spots where people actually sit down for a real drink before boarding. You’ll see 330ml lager pints and local spirits on tables instead of takeaway cups by the gate. It sits on the main airside concourse, a short walk from most domestic and European departure gates, so you can keep one eye on the screens without stressing about a long hike.
The bar leans into Scotland’s reputation: expect single malts from Speyside and the Highlands by the 25ml or 35ml measure, plus local gins mixed with standard airport tonic. A gin and tonic runs in the £7–£10 range, while draught beer usually lands around £6 a pint. Food is typical pub-style: burgers, chips, and sandwiches pitched at airport prices rather than city-centre deals. Figure roughly £12–£18 for a main plate, and more if you add another drink.
Hours track the flight schedule, with early openings before the first wave around 05:00 and closing once the last departures clear later in the evening. That means you can grab a 07:30 bacon roll with coffee or a late-afternoon dram before a 17:00 shuttle to London. Service timing varies with the schedule: at 06:00 during the commuter rush it’s all business, while mid-morning between banked departures you’ll usually get quick table service and time to linger over a second round.
The Distilling House sits firmly inside the secure area of T1, so this only works after you’ve cleared security and passport checks. Seating is mostly small tables and two-tops, with a few bar stools facing the taps and spirit shelves. There’s enough room for rolling hand luggage, but larger checked bags stay downstairs at check-in. Card payments dominate here, and contactless works smoothly for under-£100 tabs.
Tip: boardings at ABZ often start 30 minutes before departure; order your last drink at least 45 minutes before your stated gate time to avoid a rushed dash from The Distilling House to T1’s farthest stands.