The Wetherspoons Pub at the bottom end of Union Street in Aberdeen, on the corner of Castle Street, is called Archibald Simpsons, known to it's regulars as "Archie's."

The pub is distinctive from it's city centre competition for a number of reasons. First, the prices are ridiculously cheap. There are a great range of discounted drinks, meals and deals throughout the week at Archie's.

Fancy a pint of Fosters for £1? How about a double nip for £1.50? There are about 6 different spirits available as double measures all day, every day, for only £1.50
All Wetherspoon pubs have a soft drink policy which allows drivers or anybody not drinking to have a choice of a variety of Soft Drinks at reasonable prices. Which means you can even get a Diet Irn Bru - Hurray! The "reasonable prices" bit is perhaps questionable here, with cans on sale at £1, but this is pretty standard. Draft coke and lemonade come in much cheaper, at around 80p a pint.

As well as drinks, Archie's has a fabulous pub menu, with equally fabulous prices! If you like Curry, try the Curry Club menu, or go for Burger and a pint for £3. My recommendation would be a Wetherspoon Burger meal - meat or Veggie, both are lovely, and come with chips and onion rings, from less than a fiver. Ordering food can be a pain if you're not used to the system - you have to find a table, make a note of your table number, then go and order at the bar. If your food is going to take a while, you'll always be told in advance.

The range of punters who frequent Archie's is hugely diverse. From businessmen at lunchtime, to groups of students who flock in fresh from uni lectures (a handy five minute walk from Marischal College and Aberdeen College) for a cheap tea, or later on, for cheap pre-club drinks. There are staff nights out from all sorts of workplaces, and older couples come in for a quiet drink early evening. There are single men of all
ages sitting at the bar looking hopeful, taking solace in being part of a larger circle.

It's a roomy pub, so it's rarely packed, although you often won't be able to find a seat on Weekend nights and Tuesday nights - Aberdeen Student nights.

One of the great things about Archie's is the "No Smoking" section. This is about the only pub in Aberdeen (or should that read "the world"?) that takes into account their non-smoking alcoholic customers? Although most of the tables for eating are in the non-smoking section, it is not exclusive, so you can just have a drink in that section. Likewise, if you like a ciggie after dinner, there are also tables in the smoking section. A real (every-)customer friendly policy.

Okay, now comes the big problem with Archibald Simpsons. The thing which really lets the pub down. I'd be surprised if this oversight hasn't led to some serious accidents in the past. What is this screw up on the part of Wethersponns? Where have they failed to accomodate their loyal customers? In the worst possible place! The toilets in Archie's are up three flights of stairs (okay, one) through a door at the back of the pub, up the stairs along an endless corridor. By which time the only thing you can think about is how you're going to uncross your legs to sit down after bunny hopping this far.

A smiling faced chalk drawing picture beams at you "Nearly there!" before you collapse in a heap, not daring to hope that you made it on time without a splash.

Apart from that, Archibal Simsposns is the pick of the pubs in Aberdeen. If you're counting your pennies, and don't suffer from Kidney problems, give it a go.