Dundee venues round-up: August 2023

Star and Garter

This iconic Dundee pub has been brought back from the dead this year by father and son duo, John and Thomas Justice. The Union Street watering hole was a city centre fixture for decades before its five-year hiatus began in 2018. Now it’s back, revamped in a luxurious racing green exterior with its original fixtures, fittings and signs all reinstated. Having been taken over by craft brewery Dynamo, the new-and-improved Star and Garter now offers a mix of traditional pints and craft beers, as well as a clean and classy environment filled with city history. At just a stone’s throw away from the railway station, it’s the perfect place for visitors and regulars alike to drink, relax and reminisce. 42 Union Street, DD1 4BE

West Vintage Dundee

Expanding on its already-booming premises in Glasgow and in St Andrews, West Vintage has landed on Dundee’s Perth Road in a pop of unmissable orange. This vintage shop is the opposite of rummaging flea markets, with sleek, well-lit and most importantly well-organised rails full of anything a retro clothing fan could dream up. From fluffy suede and leather jackets that would made Daisy Jones jealous to designer denim, patterned headscarves and dreamy 60s minis, this is a place to find the outfit staples of years gone by – for a very reasonable price, which is handy for the many students who live in this trendy part of town. 55 Perth Road, DD1 4HY

Arlene Peters Art

A hidden gem, tucked away in the industrial Blackness area, this independent art studio is an exciting new addition to the city centre’s thriving arts scene. Founded and run by Dundee artist and interior designer Arlene Peters, the studio offers art and upcycled furniture for sale for those looking for something extra special to adorn their home. As well as a wide range of abstract painting pieces, they also run art classes, crafting workshops and paint-and-sip nights throughout the year, allowing enthusiasts to tap into their creative side in a lively group setting, with a range of talented local artists helping to guide and offer their expertise to clients. 26 Bellfield Street, DD1 5JA

Blend Baxter Park

Popular city centre coffee shop Blend has added a new venue in Stobswell, at the iconic Baxter Park Pavilion. This adorably tiny park-based pit stop is perfect for dog walkers (and their furry friends), with a condensed range of coffees and goodies on the go for humans and canines alike. Where the city centre venue is ultra-cosy, squishy and study central, the new Baxter Park Blend is a quieter, airier set up, with fewer seats but just as much abundant hospitality. If you’re looking for the opposite of a fast-paced, conveyor-belt coffee shop, where personal touches and stopping to chat are the norm, take a walk in the park and see for yourself – but be warned, you may be queuing out the door! Baxter Park Pavilion, 15-16 Baxter Park Terrace, DD4 7BF