by Zyna Khwaja.
As Underground comes to a close after serving Aberdeen for 12 years, newly established nightclub Motion takes its place on Bridge St.
Under a new brand, managers have sweetened the deal by offering drinks from £1 for a spirit and mixer – a stark contrast to Underground’s higher starting prices for beverages.
Entry prices to Motion range from £2 to around £10, the cheapest tickets being sold online in advance via Skiddle. Previously, Underground had offered free guest list entry.
The revamped student party venue has attracted a large crowd so far, its managers telling The Gaudie they welcomed over two thousand patrons in their opening week.
Second-year law student Habibullah commented that “Motion provides everything Underground could not.” Several other students shared the same sentiment, particularly praising the affordable prices, some even going as far as to label it the “best club in Aberdeen so far.”
However, student opinion is varied, many regulars of Underground voicing disappointment on the change describing Motion as a “sad, graffiti-less Underground” or “like a poundshop Underground.”
Student feedback included criticism of a ‘not-so-convenient ticketing system’ and ‘less-than-ideal music selection’, with some students sharing that they prefer venues such as Prohibition or Krakatoa.
One student told us Motion is “the exact same owners/staff as Underground, a thinly veiled rebrand with identical media style/bad tunes.”
The club’s two rooms, or ‘arches’, play different music – the first offers techno, house and UKG, while the second plays indie and ‘guilty pleasures’.
While Underground’s closure seemed to come as a shock to many, the decision came after the cancellation of popular themed nights such as Carwash Tuesdays and Crash Fridays, which had been weekly staples of the club for years. Underground went on to officially announce its closure on Instagram on the 27th of August, stating that: “it’s been a wild ride, but all good things must come to an end.”
Some reports suggest that Underground’s closure is part of a broader struggle for nightlife venues in Aberdeen. The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) announced that Scottish pubs, bars, and hospitality venues are currently experiencing their most challenging period in over a decade.
Rising operational costs, declining footfall in the city centre, and changing consumer habits among students are recurrently cited as pressures by bars and clubs throughout the city, forcing changes to their business model.
Local venues in Aberdeen such as Olive Alexanders bistro, Barbelow pub and Orchid Cocktails have closed permanently in recent years, and club nights like RARE have bid goodbye to weekly parties, instead opting to host parties occasionally.
On her visit to Motion in the opening week, fourth year medical student Erin shared, “I had a good time, I liked that the DJs were more involved and the drinks were very cheap, but overall the venue hasn’t exactly been transformed. It was quite busy actually, everyone was steaming. And I have to say I liked the music.”
The Gaudie spoke with Motion who reflected on their opening week:
“It’s definitely been a busy week trying to get ready for opening and turn the club around in time while finding our feet. We are still making improvements now. Loads planned for the coming months with headline guest DJs and some upcoming talent from across Scotland.”