As Scotland prepares to make its long-awaited return to the World Cup this summer, pubs and restaurants in Aberdeen have been granted extended opening hours to allow fans to fully embrace the occasion. The national team will face Haiti, Morocco, and Brazil in the group stage, with kick-off times as late as 2 am and 11 pm UK time.
In a move approved by Aberdeen City Council’s licensing board, establishments in the city will be permitted to remain open until 3 am, with an additional half-hour extension for Scotland’s matches that extend beyond that time. This decision has been widely welcomed by the local hospitality industry, who see it as a golden opportunity to cater to the excitement and enthusiasm of Scottish supporters.
JJ Gibson, the manager of Durty Murphy’s pub in Aberdeen, described the late licensing as “a fantastic idea”. He said: “It is giving people the chance to celebrate. You should have seen the pub when Scotland qualified. It’s just a different vibe seeing Scotland doing well.” Gibson plans to deck out the pub in Scottish flags and ensure the big screens are ready to capture the national team’s every move.
The extended hours will apply not only to pubs but also to restaurants, allowing fans to fully immerse themselves in the World Cup experience, regardless of the time of the matches. Licensing board convenor Neil Copland expressed the city’s enthusiasm, stating: “It’s a major opportunity and we’re very happy to support that. Hopefully all the fans will be happy.”
Scotland’s return to the World Cup stage is a momentous occasion, with the national team having last competed in the tournament 28 years ago. The team’s dramatic 4-2 victory over Denmark at Hampden Park in Glasgow secured their place in the tournament, which will be held across Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
The Scots will face Haiti in their opening fixture on 14 June, followed by matches against Morocco on 19 June and five-time champions Brazil on 24 June. With the late kick-off times, the extended opening hours in Aberdeen will ensure that fans can fully embrace the experience and support their team in the early hours of the morning.
The Scottish Beer and Pub Association has described this as a “once-in-a-generation” event, and the decision by Aberdeen City Council to grant the extended hours is a testament to the city’s commitment to providing an unforgettable World Cup experience for its residents and visitors.
