Family behind McNasty’s opens £1.3m boutique hotel in Aberdeen.

Stephen Taylor, a publican, converted an abandoned training center on Summer Street into luxurious rooms.

Aberdeen publican Stephen Taylor has finished a £1.3 million initiative to convert the property above his city-center bar McNasty’s into a boutique hotel, now known as 30 Five.

The Summer Street hotel, located just a few steps from Union Street, has 12 elegant ensuite bedrooms and a fully equipped two-bedroom apartment.

The project began with a challenge: McNasty’s popular karaoke evenings raise the roof on most weekends, and Stephen wanted to prevent any potential noise complaints.

“I was scared someone would buy the building next door and turn it into flats, so I thought it was better to be in command of it myself,” he told me.

The Crescent House, formerly an offshore training facility, was entirely gutted and reconstructed.

More than £100,000 was spent ripping up the flooring and installing cutting-edge soundproofing, guaranteeing visitors can enjoy peace and quiet above the bustling bar.

Family at heart of McNasty’s 30 Five hotel project in Aberdeen

Stephen commissioned his son-in-law, architect Kenny Clubb, to create every aspect.”We made it somewhere we’d like to stay ourselves,” Stephen explains.

“It’s very much a personal touch.” McNasty’s is still a three-generation operation. Stephen operates it with his daughter Shelley and three grandchildren.

“I’m here seven days a week, Shelley’s here six, and the kids work shifts behind the bar,” he jokes.

Shelley adds, “We are not a chain.” We always take delight in looking after individuals, and we will continue to do so upstairs. The Taylors have been a staple of Aberdeen hospitality for decades.

Stephen’s parents ran both the Charlotte Bar and Shelley Leigh’s Restaurant.”There are only about five original Aberdeen publicans left,” he says.

“I’ve been doing this for over 50 years. People love to come in and see the owner.”

Luxury with a local touch

Each luxurious suite includes a super-king bed, a walk-in rain shower, heated mirrors, a 55-inch TV with Sky, a Nespresso machine, a fridge with complimentary water, huge digital safes, and secure electronic door entry.

The artwork throughout celebrates the famed Scottish golf course.

The two-bedroom apartment, which includes a huge parlour with a 60-inch TV and a dining kitchen, is ideal for families or extended visits.

A bold investment in a tough market

Stephen agrees that hospitality in Aberdeen is tough. “Between business rates and Sky subscriptions, it’s tough,” Stephen tells me.”

We spend thousands of dollars every week on those two things before we even accept a drink order. But we are a sports bar, so that’s what we must do.”

McNasty’s attracts a broad crowd, including office professionals having lunch, sports lovers watching the big events, and young people letting loose at their popular karaoke nights.

Stephen expects that the hotel will attract oil and gas industry employees throughout the week, as well as leisure travellers, city break tourists and golfers.

“Aberdeen has amazing courses nearby like Trump, Royal Aberdeen and Cruden Bay – we get a lot of golfers coming for a drink at the weekend,” explains Stephen.

“We are also near to the Music Hall and His Majesty’s Theatre.”We have arrived at a location where we would want to stay.

We’ve put our money where our mouth is, and we want to make it a success.”

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