Cafe Drummonds

1 Belmont Street, Aberdeen, AB10 1JR

01224 619931

http://www.myspace.com/cafedrummonds (sadly not kept up to date, a big let down in my humble)

Pix by ABZ Quine.

Comments from FnS contributors…

Drummonds I’ve grown to like as a venue having been there almost every month for a gig in the last couple of years or so. Once indoors you are on the raised level which has tables with chairs and a few sofas. This area offers a good view of the artists performing but also its slightly less loud so conversations can be had when `the bands are on`. Walking further into the venue takes you down the stairs with the lengthy bar on your right and some soft seats on your left (these always get filled up early so keep that in mind) the dance floor is in the centre of the lower floor and the stage is right at the back of this level but the artists are as close to the action as you’d want them to be.

Its has a prime city centre location and the gaffer has to be praised for putting on many young and previously unheard of artists as well as regular touring bands. The admission prices, to their credit are usually the best in town bar none. Quite often you can see 3-4 bands in a night for a £3 or £4 entrance fee.

Some events finish quite late, around 1am (its open ‘till 3 Friday and Saturday), but I’ve seen a few finish around midnight and the dj then veering onto dance music as opposed to playing similar sounds to what the bands have been playing. Two lots of punters paying to get in maybe, but the first lot leaving uncomfortably perhaps!

The sound seems good enough for me but one wee issue I have is that many of the events aren’t very well advertised. So many times I’ve said to someone `I thought you’d be to see such and such` and they’ve replied `I didn’t know it was on`. Maybe its time to get a grip on myspace or even a proper site for Drummonds so the paying punters can see quickly what the options for the weekend are. Its a shame to criticize a venue that does a lot of good things for local bands, but its meant to be a constructive point that’s all.

Four out of five seagulls fae me!     Still Burning     23/02/10

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Drummonds is a place that is very close to my heart.  One of the venues that I cut my teeth performing in as a younger man and have played ever since.   Situated on the corner of Union Street and Belmont Street, it’s a favourite with that eclectic crowd wanting to drink after the pubs shut but don’t fancy clubbing.

You can expect a full range of music styles appearing in Drummonds, from indie to hip hop and funk.  One of my favourite groups that I have seen in Drummonds are the Easy Star Allstars, possibly a fairly rare opportunity to see them in a venue of that size.  Quite often you will find one of the touring tribute acts playing there; generally I am not a fan of these but it can be fun with the right group of friends.  The venue can probably pack in about 200 – 250 people on a busy night which makes for a great atmosphere, local acts like AKA Ska will testify to this!

The drink is reasonably priced, the sound system is more than adequate and the inhabitants are generally friendly.  My overall opinion is that this is a great venue with a long history of putting on gigs in Aberdeen.  If you play in a band and want to book a gig there get in touch with Hen Beverly by phone (Drummonds 01224 619 930 or Tunnels 01224 211121 ), through the Tunnels myspace http://www.myspace.com/tunnelsaberdeen) or by email: info@thetunnels.co.uk.  If the Tunnels link confuses you, it is because they are under the same ownership.     FatHand     29/01/10