Beach Ballroom

Located on Aberdeen Esplanade, the Beach Ballroom is a B-listed Art Deco building which regularly plays host to concerts, dances, conferences and weddings, as well as boxing matches. Built 1926-29 to a competition-winning design by Bathgate-based architects Thomas Roberts and Hume, it was part of the Town Council's scheme to improve the beach-front. The official opening on 23rd May 1929 took the form of a grand masked ball and carnival, with costumes including those from the French Court of King Louis XIV to Sioux Indians and shepherdesses.

The facade of pale glazed terracotta wraps around the octagonal red-tiled ballroom roof with its large lantern. Internally, the building comprises the Main Ballroom, which can seat up to 600 guests under its immense dome, the Star Ballroom, which was an extension built by the City Architect's Department 1961-4 and can seat up to 120 people with views of the beach, and the Northern Lights, which seats up to 100 and also benefits from sea views. There is also a Boardroom for small meetings. The Main Ballroom features a fine dance floor, which is famous for its bounce. Originally constructed of Canadian maple, which was replaced in the 1950s, the sprung dance floor still floats on 1400 steel springs and is unique in Scotland.

During the Second World War the building was taken over by the Admiralty. It was returned to the citizens of Aberdeen in time for Christmas in 1946. Stars who have appeared here include The Beatles, Pink Floyd, The Cream and Joe Loss. The Beach Ballroom is owned and operated by Aberdeen City Council.


Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry arrow

If you have found this information useful please consider making
a donation to help maintain and improve this resource. More info...

By using our site you agree to accept cookies, which help us serve you better