Your Style Based on Your Favourite St Andrews Pub
Words by Vera Fortun Marco, Writer
St Andrews has over 30 pubs and bars for a small population of 17,000 of which over 10,000 are students. That's a lot of students and A LOT of pubs per capita. So, it is no wonder that the University of St Andrews is known for its pub culture and phrases like, “You either leave here married or an alcoholic”. In a small town with nothing to do except study and meet up with friends, it is not surprising that students spend so much of their free time in the pub. Over time, each St Andrews pub has consequently developed a ‘vibe’, a certain image or style that says more about the people that visit it than about the pub itself. And this is especially true of the five most frequented pubs in St Andrews: BrewCo, Molly’s, The Dunvegan, The Central and Aikman’s. So, here is what your favourite pub in St Andrews says about you.
BrewCo
If your favourite pub is BrewCo, your style of choice is likely inspired by hippie trends combined with the English countryside aesthetic. From loose linen pants in soothing colours, like green and lavender, and Birkenstocks, to tweed jackets, often showcasing the logo of a St Andrews society and Barbour coats. You are a free spirit and try to radiate this energy through your clothing, prioritising comfort and warmth over sharp frames and structure.
Situated at the far end of South Street, within reach of the School of Divinity, BrewCo emanates an aura of civility and calm that matches your love for comfort. Its expertise is beer, a low percentage alcoholic beverage, and comfortable seating is always available, making it a pub for conversation and reflection — two pastimes that require loose clothing to let ideas and the soul flow. BrewCo is not a pub for a ‘crazy’ night out which allows you to explore the less formal aspect of your style and this is probably why it is your pub of choice. It offers a break from the pressures of being ‘put together’ and the extremely formal attire required for a lot of St Andrew (non-pub) social life.
Molly’s
In contrast, if your favourite pub is Molly’s, you are the kind of person who loves crowds. You love the hustle and bustle of town and don’t mind having to stand in a cramped space as long as it means that you get to interact with as many people as possible. In sync with this, your style is casual but chic. You don’t overdress to go to the pub because you ‘know better’, instead you aim for an effortless look that will give you the confidence to be your extroverted self without making you feel out of place. You usually go for a straight pair of jeans and a staple round-neck jumper (probably Ralph Lauren) or an edgy graphic top. You are not concerned about the weather and prefer to dress for the warmth of the pub, often leaving puffers and coats at home. That being said, you would never say no to a leather jacket or a cool oversized blazer, as long as it ‘makes’ and not ‘breaks’ the outfit.
The Dunvegan
Or as we regulars call it: The Dunny.
It is the golfer pub par excellence. A mesh of fifty- and sixty-year-old golfers and buzzing students in their twenties floods its booths on a weekly basis, leading to some of the best night-out stories. The venue is packed with golf memorabilia and has filled the lives of many students with a few too many anecdotes of crazy nights out ending at the Old Course doing who knows what…
The combination of golfers and posh students cannot be associated with anything other than the ‘Old Money’ or ‘Quiet Luxury’ trends. Ralph Lauren button-down shirts, round-neck knit sweaters, blowouts and loafers are all common sightings at this pub, making it the epitome of the preppy St Andrews student style.
The Central
Another iconic St Andrews spot is, of course, The Central. As stated in the name it is right in the centre of St Andrews, exactly at the intersection between Market, North and South Street, making it the perfect spot for an improvised night out. Its regulars, however, plan accordingly arriving at 9 pm or past 11:30 pm, avoiding peak time and never failing to secure a table. Cheap drinks, student discounts and plenty of cocktails, spirits and beers to choose from, The Central attracts a variety of different personalities. Yet, the one thing all its regular customers have in common is their ability to stand out in a crowd.
Hence, if your favourite pub is The Central your style is comfy rockstar chic. Your aesthetic is a mixture of grunge and chic, never failing to make you the centre of attention. You love a good chunky boot and leather jacket, especially if they have been purchased in an obscure second-hand shop somewhere in Europe. You love oversized shapes and dress for the weather, unafraid of layering, convinced that your accessorising abilities can never fail you.
Aikman’s
The live music and folk-like ambience characteristic of Aikman’s could not be associated with any other style than the ‘Frazzled Englishwoman’.
Although not all of its regulars may identify with this style, they cannot deny that the cosy ambience of Aikman’s cellar and the folk vibes of the main bar would make this pub Helena Bohem Carter’s favourite. Thus, Aikman’s shall forever be associated in my head with thin scarfs, knit jumpers, baggy trousers or joggers and long winter coats. It is the embodiment of the Frazzled English Woman aesthetic and no one can convince me otherwise.
Overall, the vibes of St Andrews pubs are mostly created by the students who spend their free time hovering by their bars and showcasing their sense of fashion! In the same way that High School Cafeteria tables were divided according to style and personality, your choice of pub can say a lot about your fashion identity. So, next time you go to your favourite pub, take a look around… does everyone look kind of similar?