Bothy Bar in Orkney Islands

Busy kitchen on the night, by all accounts. No draught beers due to 'maintenance'? The food that myself and my partner had was fantastically underwhelming...sadly, we wanted a treat as it was our last night away. Steak and ale pie with 'seasonal vegetables', small amount of mash with handful of frozen peas/green beans. Maybe seasonal in Iceland, the shop!... Mac and cheese, surely you can't go wrong? Sadly, yes you can. Stodgy, overcooked pasta, unable to pick up a full piece and very little taste of cheese. Come on! #Serve proper veg, it's cheap. #Take less bookings if Chef is under too much pressure. #Give customers a better experience. # Quality and profit can be achieved, with a bit of thought. I'd say eat elsewhere until standards improve. A fish and chip shop would pay more attention to detail. Barman was very pleasan.

Nach einer langen Tour bin ich zum Bier in dieses Pub eingekehrt. Das Pub liegt in der 2. Reihe und wird eher von Einheimischen besucht. Das es zum Hotel gehört ist eigentlich nebensächlich. Die Auswahl an Bier ist groß und vor allen Dingen: es gibt auch einheimisches Bier! Der Service am Tresen war nett und flink. Kartenzahlung ist kein Problem. Hätte gerne noch was dort gegessen - am Nachbartisch sah es lecker aus. Klappte aber zeitlich leider nicht. Fazit: Der Weg lohnt sich - authentisch und gut!

The bar was quite attractive and comfortable. Staff was very friendly and accommodating. The food itself, however, was nothing spectacular (though not bad) for the prices charged.

we were asked to leave by 10pm on a Thursday night as they were closing even though we were residents, a group of 10 people came in just before 10pm and were turned away, we went elsewhere, Kirkwall was busy that night, so turning business away seems bizarre to me

Popped into the Bothy bar for a drink whilst we were staying at the adjoining Albert Hotel. Very relaxed atmosphere. Staff were excellent.

On a very blustery wet evening we experienced a truly scrumptious dinner in Bothy Bar ….along with a Scapa smoked heather honey whisky! The Orkney beef pie had the lightest flakiest pastry I’ve ever had, plus the beef was melt in the mouth! Desert was exceptional too…glazed pineapple and bananas with coconut ice cream. Yummy! staff were helpful, friendly and good humoured😁

Me and my partner where so excited to go and have quite a few bevvies and have outlr little well behaved dog with us. Couldn't leave her in the bnb we were staying in. We were turned away at the door before we could even speak to them. Felt really rejected. I suggest they should have a sign on the door saying no dogs. That might have helped us from getting our hopes up and leaving this review. Their loss.

Ordered 2 main meal's. One was a normal size, the other had the size of a starter. After a remark to the barkeeper, the only respons was "I mention it to the kitchen", a follow up never came. Will not be coming back to a bar/restaurant that even can't put out the same size proprotions to the same table. My advise stay away from this bar if you want food, go somewhere else. Ps. The beer is fine, but nobody screws that up.

Have visited here before for drinks but decided to have a meal tonight. Although the food and drinks are the same, elected to eat in the lounge area, with is hared with the adjacent hotel. Great hearty, traditional pub food - with a lot of choice.

We had a few drinks whilst in Kirkwall. Staff friendly, service excellent. And a cracking pint of guiness.

A good “locals” bar with decent pub food, fish was large, good batter, scampi nice , decent chips and peas, other meals tasty although portions a little on the small side ( lasagna and pork) . Friendly locals, noisy but great atmosphere

Was really pleased to catch this place open (currently only opening Friday and Saturday). Black pudding and scallop starter had my name on it and didn't disappoint. Had a special of chicken stroganoff, which was good. Ale was Scapa Special also tasty. The food comes from the same kitchen as the neighbouring hotel.

It's a very local place with a warm and friendly atmosphere. Burgers, beers and cider were delicious

I have never been so disappointed by service in my life. Morgan instantly was rude to us and spat in my face!

A lovely Scottish pub with a warm friendly atmosphere, and super friendly staff. We went back two nights in row it was that good and memorable. If you want an authentic scottish pub experience with fantastic food to boot, look no further than the Bothy Bar. A short walk from our accommodation at the Orkney Hotel, and one of our best decisions that night, and to be honest I can't recommend this place highly enough.

We dropped into this little bar for lunch and Morgan, was fantastic. He was welcoming, helpful and so friendly. So we had lunch and it was yummie we all enjoyed our time and meals in this little pub. So we came back at night and found a different pub.....Morgan was there but so must have been his boss. The lady behind the bar wasn't the most friendly person, and quite abrupt, don't think she likes tourist. Big thank you to Morgan for making our lunch time great.

Good food, welcoming locals (even cheery local drunk!) Went for an early evening meal, thought it might be the sort of place that goes quiet when you walk in but locals quite friendly and soon joined by various other visiting parties so good atmosphere.

Een sober ingerichte maar wel gezellige tent. Prima barfood en men tapt er een goede pint. En dat alles voor een beschaafde prijs.

Excellent seafood platter in a friendly relaxed atmosphere. Staff friendly and helpful. Gluten free bread/oatcakes not a problem. Very good value for money.

Excellent staff 1st of all in this bar . A decent and varied menu . I did think the starters were a little pricey especially compared to the mains. If you like duke box playing in pub atmosphere then you'll enjoy this place . Food was ok to good .

Hurtig servering , pub mad, sød og smilende kok, kvik tjener, behagelig musik. Fornuftig pris. Det var bare en rigtig pub super

I happened to be in Kirkwall on the day of the 2019 Women’s Soccer Final. I was looking for a pub with a tv and the match….the Bothy Bar fit that bill. A typical pub with all the accouterments, including drunks. All the local brews and friendly bar maids, made for a nice afternoon watching the match….and the US won! Recommended.

Stayed at The Albert, huge room very comfortable. Good service and pleasant helpful staff. The Nook Restaurant served a good meal and a few drinks in The Bothy Bar went over well. Nice stay.

This bar is located in the outskirt of the old town, in a narrow passsage together with The Albert Hotel. They advertised they have the best selection of cask beer and Orkney Whiskey. We were tempted to enter and simply enjoyed a local beer and a local whiskey. The service was quick and friendly and we enjoyed our refreshing time at Bothy Bar.

Well kept and tasty Scapa Special. Pleasant and efficient staff. Good situation in centre of Kirkwall . Nice atmosphere.

On a busy Saturday night in Kirkwall (where 5 other places had no availability at all to eat after 5.30pm) we found the Bothy Bar almost empty. No idea why as the food was great and staff were friendly. Highly recommended.

Snacks available between kitchen service were scampi fries, bacon fries or chocolate. No crisps or toasted sandwiches etc. Local lager not available- bar staff said 'at the minute' so I asked when it would be available and told not today. Just to let anyone know it is also not dog friendly - this point was not a problem but thought it best to share. The bartender wasn't very friendly, one would think this would be a a requirement when working in a bar. This is more to let others know what to expect, rather than to criticise the pub.

This is a great bar and it does very nice bar food. The Scapa Special from the Swannay brewery is kept extremely well, the prices are very reasonable. There is often live entertainment and it is my go to bar when in Kirkwall.

Laid back traditional pub near the harbor. We had a pizza, figuring that was our most versatile choice! Drank the local brews. Schmoozed with the locals and had a great time. Worth a lunch or evening meal.

This is a traditional bar in the heart of Kirkwall selling a large range of whiskey and home to the friend locals. Well worth a visit.

Had to ask at bar after an hour if our meal was coming. Food portions tiny worst tasting meal I have ever had. Veggie curry and a chicken curry. We did get a refund on one of our meals. NOT worth it don’t bother going here.

Popped in early afternoon to book table for evening and to listen to music as advertised. Bar staff took booking for hotel next door ~The Neuk and didn't know if there would be music on that evening. Returned in the evening after eating and was disgusted by the loud swearing of clientel and off duty staff in the bar. Music started about 9pm and was very good.

Whenever we come to Orkney we always head for the both bar. Excellent Orkney bee, and always hope my favourite Red Macgregor is on ! Shame they have put a wood burner in instead of the open fire. But a warm welcome assured !

Quiet location down a side street but signed from the man road throug Kirkwall. Good selection of drinks & reasonably priced.

We didn't eat here because it was loud, smoky, and we didn't feel welcome even entering the doorway. Locals hung outside until early morning hours smoking, drinking, and being very loud.

We ate here on our first evening on Orkney and liked it so much we had our evening meal there the following three days! Their beers are very good too. We particularly liked the Orkney seafood platter, the crab linguine, the steak and ale pie (chunky tender meat) and the good old staple fish and chips.

We visited this pub on Tues 24th July 2018 and found it an excellent pub with good service, good selection of beers and nice atmosphere. Very enjoyable visit could have stayed there all afternoon will definitely visit again. Recommended to cruises.

Had to wait more than half an hour for a salad to arrive!! The couple at the next table got fed up waiting and left. Not a good impression for tourists

This was our main bar when we visited Kirkwall. My husband likes real ale and we found the staff excellent and the beer well kept . This was a welcome place to relax after a day of activities. Near the centre of town. Easy walking distance to shops or harbour. Did not have food but saw others eating good potions of food.and apparently enjoying it.

...rischi di bere una birra, ottima, e mangiare qualcosa diverso da quanto scelto dal menù perchè sei solo un turista straniero, peraltro italiano, che non tornerà più...solo uno scambio di battute tra il ragazzo al banco e un avventore abituale ma un pessimo biglietto da visita per altri...

Quaint welcoming establishment, just off of the main high street, it’s actually part of the Albert Hotel next door.

Had a great evening meal, haggis starter, seafood platter, plus local beers and gins. Spoilt a little by the number of huge TV screens.

Lovely old bar in centre of Kirkwall if you are looking for a cozy pint. The owner is fantastic and very welcoming. The seafood platter are fresh straight out of the harbour and great value!

Went to this place looking to have a decent meal and a pint on a cold day. Everything from the locals in it to the décor to the rugby on tv made it feel like a local pub. Food/drinks were good but slow to come out. I enjoyed it and would go again despite such.

In here one evening with a colleague. Had pie and chips which was okay. Lots of choices for drinks and a very friendly staff, quite popular with the locals.

Consistently great food and the specials are really nice. The staff are friendly and efficient (apart from one young lad who is, by far, the laziest barman I've ever come across!) Well worth a stop off for drink and/or food.

Wide range of dishes on the menu - have visited a few times and always impressed by the large portion size and very tasty meals. Pizza and pasta menu also very good. Very reasonably priced.

Our group consisted of eight adults a child and a baby. The food was excellent and the service we received was second to none. The barman could not have been more helpful providing a coloring book and pens and toys for the 2 year old while we enjoyed our lunch. Will definitely go back.

Ate here recently and the food exceeded my expectations. My wife also enjoyed her 3 courses . When we are on the island again we will return .

Good wholesome pub food and a decent pint, my wife and I both enjoyed our meals here and it was unstuffy and prompt

Good, authentic pub; friendly service; good vibe; food much, much better than typical pub food. Enjoy!

è proprio un tipico pub in stile anglosassone(l' atmosfera è proprio quella!).

Turn off the Main pedestrianised street in Kirkwall down a narrow passage and you'll find this place - part of the Albert Hotel on the best named street in town - Mounthoolie Lane It has a nice relaxed atmosphere and serves great pub food The...

This is one of the fun bars in town with authentic pub furniture and plenty of seats at the bar counter. Good music playing and plenty of locals and visitors mixing well in the Bothy Bar. The food is also very good if you need a meal. Bar staff were very friendly and there was great craic in here at times.

We decided to try this bar for our first evening meal in Orkney as we didn't have a restaurant booked. As it was relatively early we found a vacant table and studied the menu which was from the Albert Hotel to which the bar belongs.

Es un local centrico de Kirkwall donde puedes ir a tomar unas cervezas y/o cubatas a la vez que puedes comer o cenar. El personal es muy atento, y el sitio muy acogedor, todo forrado en madera reutilizada de un antiguo barco. La cocina es de calidad, tradicional escocesa y todo casero, ademas el precio es bajo-medio. Sin duda el mejor sitio de Kirkwall.

We are here in August. Staff were lovely. I ordered couscous with roast veg and my friend ordered fish with coleslaw and no chips. Her dinner came very quickly but mine took ages. I had to ask and was told that they had to cook it from start. I would have thought that fried fish would take longer than couscous. When it came it was a large portion instead of a starter. There was too much veg and not enough couscous. It was very tasty though. We returned at lunchtime but they don't do food at lunchtime

Recommended at any time but especially if like me you are booked on the 23.45 ferry back to Aberdeen. A piping hot pie with perfectly cooked veg, two pints of Orkney IPA and a quiet corner with a good book - just the ticket. There is an X10 bus which leaves from the nearby bus station and drops you at the ferry terminal price 75p.

But the food was nice although pricey, we had the specials rib eye steak which was cooked beautifully - didn't even need a steak knife!

We picked this place as it is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and were not disappointed as the Scapa Special was excellent. The menu included good value pub classics and pizza as well as more expensive gourmet type meals. I had a pizza which came as a huge 12 inch offering, which left little room for dessert. The pub itself was comfortable, with pleasant staff. There were a couple of screens showing football, but without the sound so were not to distracting.

Great bar to have a drink without blaring music. Clientele on the slightly more 'mature' side but don't generally mind that.

We went to this bar a few times - only for drinks. It's a nice bar with very spotlessly clean toilets. Quite a few locals use it. The only problem is that one day there were folk standing in the doorway smoking so you had to walk through an ashtray to get in. Not really the bars fault they do have signs up asking folk not to do this - but what made it worse was it seemed to be some of the staff. Other than that was very good.

Found this pub down a lane off the main street. The bar man was very knowledgeable & gave some recommendations of where to visit while in Orkney & avoiding the large cruise liners. It was nice to try some local gin which so so nice I decided to buy a bottle!Move forward a couple of days & we were looking for a bar meal before our overnight ferry so we went back. There were a number of tables having food & the barmaid was pretty busy but just as friendly. We ordered food & I have to say it was definitely quantity over quality. I went for the stick pork ribs, with wedges. The plateful that arrived had the most enormous ribs I have every seen, unfortunately they were were not sweet & sticky but fatty & tasteless, the wedges were almost burnt. If you are looking for a large meal at a reasonable price then this is the place for you, every plate that came out of the kitchen appeared to be overflowing with food. It was such a disappointment on our last night as we had had some lovely meals during our trip.

We struggled to eat consistently well on Orkney and this was one of a handful of places that didn't disappoint. It has a 'port in a storm' vibe with walls that are four foot thick and small windows. The place sets out its stall in a 'keep it simple and do it well' manner. All our starters and mains were excellent, and the wine list was small but well-chosen. You would be equally comfortable using this a pub or an eatery.

Comfortable though it's order at the bar. Good various choices and fairly tasty. Small choice of scotch..they were out of a few essentials. Some locals...mostly visitors.

Locally smoked salmon, mackerel, herring, crab and prawn, fresh buttered brown bread. Well presented, excellent flavour and substantial enough to not want a main. Warm, spacious, friendly barmaid, good local drought beer. Red McGregor. Down a side path between bus station and main shopping area. Worth a visit.

Excellent food and great prices. Wasn't too crowded on a Friday night. Attached to the Albert Hotel.

We stumbled upon this place wandering through Kirkwall. Its a great rustic place with pub food. Pints were cold, and the service was great. Food was exactly what you would expect for a pub, and great value for the money!

Hidden away in the back streets of Kirkwall but we found the Bothy Bar a pleasant place to rest after a hard day's touring. Good food, and friendly service in a comfortable environment.

Although it looks like an average pub this place has very good food - the braised shins of Orkney beef with mash and vegetables with a wonderful reduction sauce was superb. There is also a good range of local beers on tap. The ambience at lunch is just OK - but the food and beer more than make up for it.

Had booked Albert Hotel next door. Bar was quiet but it was February. Good range of local beers on tap. Old fashioned decor. Pleasant atmosphere

Went with friends to The Albert (or Matchmakers as I will always call it!) for dinner. Very good value, service also very good and a nice atmosphere. Between us we had 2 battered haddocks, the pulled pork and a homemade burger. Very good sized portions! Only 2 of us could manage desert - a sundae and a chocolate pudding. It was all great and I would certainly go back.

Bel pub, che rispecchia l'idea che tutti noi abbiamo di come questi locali dovrebbero essere, con un bel bancone, tanti tavolacci di legno di varie forme e dimensioni e vari maxi schermi che trasmettono musica e sport. Il menù è abbastanza vario, e comprende sia pesce che carne e zuppe, oltre a qualche dolce, mentre l'offerta di birre alla spina e in bottiglia propone una vasta scelta di birre artigianali locali, che abbiamo molto apprezzato. I piatti sono abbondanti e ben presentati e ci sono piaciuti tutti; nelle due volte che siamo venuti abbiamo provato zuppa di lenticchie, hummus, agnello, chicken wings, misto di mare e coda di rospo... Come vedete c'è n'è per tutti i gusti! Per una cena spenderete meno di 20 sterline a testa, e se desiderate un whisky per chiudere la serata, avrete una buona scelta a soli 3,25 pound al bicchiere. Consigliatissimo!

Had a pub lunch there. Food was fine and plenty of it. Nothing fancy here, just a plain old pub, If you are looking for ambience and tablecloths, go somewhere else.

This is a great traditional pub with good beer and local scotch. The meal was good, served hot, and generous portions. Staff was helpful and friendly. By far the best meal we had in Kirkwall and no reservations were required.

Gutes, hausgemachtes Essen. Mein Favorit ist der Steak + Ale Pie, dazu ein Scapa Special Bier - einfach klasse.

Came across this bar on Mounthoolie Rd, cool reception but decided to have a pint. Soon found myself in conversation with very nice company. Although I didn't eat here the food smelt and looked amazing.

Good selection of gins, beers and ales, nice location, friendly staff. Would visit again if in Kirkwall.

Popped in here after reading Trip Advisor reviews. Good old fashioned pub down a back lane. It WAS quiet until a rowdy bunch arrived on the next table but you can't do anything about that. The barman was quite offish, especially with my wife. But the food was pretty good. Just a pity we missed their live music nights. I'd definitely go in here again if only there was a more cheerful barman.

Outsmarts of Vancouver is, I would guess, one of these bitter sad people who choose not to like anywhere. The fact that the person can't spell does not add to credibility."Dissapointing"? Go back to school.The alternatives to the Bothy are on the waterfront and with the exception of the Dingwall Hotel, dreary in the extreme. The Dingwall is OK but a bit up itself.The Bothy is the only place I've found in Dingwall which serves a good selection of local real ales plus lots of tasty local food. If you thought you didn't like haggis try their haggis fritters,and their seafood platter at 8 quid odd for crab claw, mackerel,prawns,salmon and more-well,just don't miss it.The only reason it doesn't get a 5 is it's so damn difficult to get a seat at busy times. Nice problem to have,for them

The places on the main street were jammed because a cruise ship had docked. We saw a small sign and wandered down the lane and found delicious food, peace and quiet (there is pop music in the background), and good service. The Orkney steak and ale pie was extra specially good. The Orkney beef burger was memorable too. A lovely respite from the crowds!

A great traditional, local pub near the center of Kirkwall and off the beaten path. They will serve you a great ale or scotch and delicious food. The local "color" of the pub regulars will regale you with stories.

This is a locals bar, with a good selection of real ales and simple food. The limited menu reassured me that it was all freshly cooked. Lemon sole with boiled potatoes. So simple, so enjoyable.

We walked quite a bit of Kirkwall looking for a pub or bar and were glad to find the Bothy Bar. There are parts of this bar that have stories to tell and much character. It's worth a stop here just for the old B&W pictures of the farmers and crofters of the Orkney Islands. What we didn't like was the loud piped in bad 80s music that made it impossible to stay for more than a pint. The young bartender wasn't a local, and didn't really have any knowledge or interest in the local beers/ales they had on tap.

Drunks at the bar, a very inexperienced barmaid left in charge, slow service and basic pub food. The manageress, when she appeared was not at all welcoming. The man who came to help the hapless barmaid was good but by then it was too late. A pity because the bar does have some character, but this was a disappointing first night in Kirkwall. Needless to say, we did not go back and cannot recommend it.

Had a lunch there - barmaid/waitress friendly. Food appeared quickly and there was heaps of it. Wouldn't gain Michelin stars but it was what it was - reasonably priced, decent quality pub food. Huge menu by the way.Nice range of ales, including local ones and jukebox to die for.Give it a bash.

Best starter during my 2 weeks vacation! Really yummy. The steak was a bit dry, but it's a great place with nice lady behind the counter.

My friends and I were on a night out on Sunday night. We decided to stop in by the bothy. Big mistake. The service we got was shocking. No hello, no smile, nothing!!! We paid for our drinks and the barman shoved the change in my friends hand. When she then had to ask for a slice of lemon for her gin he picked it out the tub from behind the bar with his hand and chucked it in her glass like it was such an inconvenience. We did not feel welcome in there at all so we quickly finished our drinks and left. Oh and the pub smelled of stale pee. Not a very good first impression. We definitely won't be going back.

The flyer attracted us in but the place was dissapointing. Frozen fish in tasteless batter. Veg burritos with a tiny serving of cheese and guac on the side. We definitely caught this place on a bad day. Beer sampler was okay.

We visited to attend the folk music night (which by the way was very good). Although we were not in any rush, we had starters and we were an hour waiting before we got our main course. The food was good but the chicken fajitas which came on a cast iron platter was not very hot - when ordered in most restaurants they would be sizzling. So, not a bad meal, just not good enough to make me want to go back.

Local beer selections plus the old macro standbys, and a good mix of locals and tourists. It was pretty quiet on the week nights but was a comfortable place to hang out, play some games, and have a few pints. Great jukebox (when they aren't showing football on the TV--gotta respect the locals). The food was way better than you'd think, particularly the seafood platter starter, which was amazing.

We'd been looking for a 'local, traditional' pub in Kirkwall, and this summed it up. Although we stumbled into the Albert Hotel first, and received a slightly snooty reception. Not so, however, in the Bothy Bar.

Popped in for a quick dinner, and for a change form local specialties I ordered a pepperoni pizza.Unfortunately when it arrived (quite quickly), it seemed to have about an inch of very oily melted cheese on it, with a few lonely slices of pepperoni dotted around. Far too greas for my tastes I'm afraid.On the more positive side, the local beer was excellent.

Went to the Bothy for a drink wiyh my brother, it was quiet and only a few locals at the bar. Usually in the summer there is a good mix of locals and visitors and a really good atmosphere. Despite being quiet, I still enjoyed a couple of pints if Scapa just one of a selection of beers from local breweries. Also good place in the winter with a nice fire going

Good pub food. A local pub and that is always a good sign. You wont be disappointed within reason. Its a bit hard to find but has a good reputation.

I visited The Bothy Bar in August 2015. Not the easiest place to find, it is hidden away down a side street. I liked this pub, it is very old style with lots of pictures (and very much like a cottage from old times) but me and my boyfriend liked it all the same. There is a fire in the corner although it was not lit when I was there. Also, there is a Television. It is pleasant enough but the woman serving at the bar clearly did not want to be there and didn't crack a smile. It was very quiet when I was there, but will go again as it was still nice and relaxed.

This bar is down a side passage, and first impressions on entering these premises was dark and dismal and not at all welcoming.It was not cheap and the menu was very poor and very expensive.It seemed to attract the low life and only went there once as some of the language from one of the locals was not what I want to sit and listen to. We went there for a quiet drink..Not sure how this achieved any CAMRA awards.

Nice beer and whisky selection with a knowledgeable bartender. Watched a Wimbeldon match in this quaint bar and enjoyed Ravel Ale and Bruichladdich. As others have stated, the wi-fi worked for a few minutes then disappeared. The bar is cash only - no credit cards.

I was walking round Kirkwall on a Tuesday evening looking for somewhere to eat. The Bothy Bar looked interesting from the outside and advertised food so I went in. Good places are usually busy - this was empty save for one person who then left. You'd think the barmaid would be happy to chat to a customer but this lady needed a character transplant - conversation or customer service was clearly not on her agenda. I ordered a special - curry. Take my advice and don't. The chef needs to visit an Indian restaurant to find out what one looks like - nothing like the meal I was served. In its defence, to my surprise it tasted better than it looked but perhaps that wasn't difficult (lots of chunks of chicken in a watery sauce with rice and an oily poppadom). On the positive side the pub has character - what appear to be whale bone posts everywhere and lots of interesting local pictures. The clash of music and TV on the evening I was there didn't do it any favours. The structure is there and the location in the centre of Kirkwall are in its favour. Get a new barmaid, get rid of the TV, change the chef and the place has the potential to be quite good.

The Bothy was used by locals as well. They served bar fare which hit the mark and provided an easy place to eat late.