Cocktail Bar Review: Paramount, Aberdeen

Before we set foot in any bar, we tend to go online, read the menu and generally see if it’s worth checking out. Usually this system manages to weed out any poor bars, and sets the proper boozy establishments apart from the lager swilling joints which we aim to avoid.

However, unfortunately, in the case of Paramount this was not the case. The menu read rather well, with some excellent balances between sweet and sour, and some interesting takes on old favourites. So, grabbing our coats (it is Aberdeen after all) we made our way down one Saturday night to check out what all the fuss was about.

What we walked in on, was unfortunately not what we signed up for.  Rowdy, loud sports teams with magnums of Grey Goose, and a queue six deep at the bar was quite a shock to the system. Battling our way to the front of the queue, we decided to order a White Lady. Our hopes were, however, dashed as the bartender abruptly informed us that there were no egg whites. So we decided on an Anarchy (Red Wine, Makers Mark, Pomegranate, Lemon Juice and Mint) only to be informed that they had no pomegranate left!

Finally we settled on a French Martini, feeling relieved to find that the bar had something left in stock. After a 10 minute wait, the bartender returned with our drink. It could only be described as anemic,  we couldn’t taste any spirits in the glass, only pineapple juice. Disappointing to say the least.

Next up, we settled on the Wasabi Margarita. Having had wasabi based drinks before (with sake and tomato juice) we thought it would be an interesting combination. Perhaps if the bartender had remembered to add some form of agave to the drink, it would have been palatable; all we could taste was Tequila (the bar citates Patron), Wasabi Paste, and Lime. We left it on the bar.

Clutching at straws, we ordered a Mojito, just a classic one, no strawberries, raspberries or any other fruit bases.  It was watered down, tasteless and compounded our intense feeling of malcontent.

We left the bar.

Our advice for you is that if you’re looking for an expensive, preppy night out and not for a good cocktail, then you should certainly make your way to Paramount. If, however, you’re looking for a good standard of cocktail, served in a pleasant atmosphere, by staff who don’t spend 10 minutes making a poor drink, while you wring out your sleeves after dragging them across the bar and soaking up half a bottle of vodka… then perhaps Paramount is not your best bet.

1 STAR out of 5