Aspen Bar and Grill

Nice place to go for a drink, been twice this week. Once for lunch and once for end of week drinks. Lunch was nice and service was plesant.

Service was slow in the evening. The staff didn't seem to clock who had been waiting the longest at the bar. That's the only thing that makes me write on these things. Frustratingly inconsistent service.

Used to come here a lot when I was a student. Was back recently and it hasn't changed much - nice to be able to recognise some of the staff and that they recognised us. Live music on when we were in which was nice, should have had that years ago.

However it was a bit too busy and impossible to reach the bar at some points in the evening. And then by the time we reached the bar was told I'd have to wait while they washed some pint glasses - I get the impression they were undermanned!

Still worth a visit.

TOTALLY different experience to Mel's below! We also bought a Groupon voucher and found it really good value...

I had chicken goujons for my starter which were good but there could have been more of them... Then steak pie which was probably the best I've ever tried,good sized portion, good quality meat with no chewy bits and a really nice gravy. My partner had haggis fritters and fish and chips with a HUGE piece of fish and had nothing but good things to say about it.

They were pretty busy when we went in but it was a saturday night, staff were still friendly though and we didn't have to wait too long. For my cocktail they even made me a Bramble despite it not being on the menu... Yum yum. I'll definitely be back!

I purchased a Groupon offer to eat at this bar. It cost £19 for supposedly £49 worth of food and drink. Wish I hadn’t of bothered!
The bar doesn’t look too bad, apart from empty (apparently everyone knows not to eat here apart from us out of towners), until you get to the dining area. The seats are covered in black velvet and falling to bits.
My deal was for two and included a starter and main each and a cocktail each. My partner wanted a pint of larger and we asked if we could swap one of the cocktails for a pint instead, to which they said no. So I ended up with two cocktails, neither of which I could drink. I first ordered a Mojito, which I usually love, but this tasted foul, I have no idea what they put in it but two sips is all I could manage. For my second I chose a summer fruits cocktail, this one I could only manage one sip. What a waste.
The food was no better. I got soup to start which was like dish water with chunks of veg in it. It even had a layer of grease shining on the surface...disgusting! For the main both me and my partner ordered a Panini with potato wedges as this seemed the safest option. They even managed to mess this up! Everything was rock hard like it had been re-heated 10 times, or sat under a heat lamp for hours.
Stay clear and save your money is my only advice!

Really liking this place now, it has come miles from where it was a couple of years ago, food is great and particularly like the atmosphere on a busy friday or saturday night!

They change their cocktail menu and food menu every 6 months or so and I have to say the new cocktail menu isn't as good as the old one though and there is sometimes a lack of consistancy between the same cocktails - there are a couple of staff that make fantastic cocktails whereas the others can sometimes be a bit more mediocre, but at least by changing the menus it adds variety.

Speaking of staff, they are for the most part very pleasant and willing to engage in conversation although the odd one can be a bit snappy. Oh and I'm loving the family guy! All and all worth a visit.

Really nice bar. Great atmosphere, free wifi and excellent value for food and drinks, especially with the current 20% student discount. I'll be back.

http://www.list.co.uk/place/103202-aspen-bar-and-grill/#

Aspen is brilliant! I find that, as I head into the city centre, the prices rise and the sinicism of the service staff increases with it. Aspen isn't one of those places. Having discovered this place recently, it's always a pleasure. Excellent, fresh, homemade food. The burgers come straight from the chargrill...and you can certainly taste it. The staff are charming, relaxed and friendly and seem to genuinely enjoy themselves. Not many places you see that. Thank you Aspen!