It seems it's not enough to be simply a pub these days. If you want to attract the in-crowd, you have to do something different.
In Lowdown's case, they installed a small dancefloor, badly positioned beside the ladies, opened on a Friday and a Saturday until 3am, attracted an older crowd, i.e. light on the students, heavy on those with more disposable income, and collaborated with a famous chef, who opened _ a restaurant upstairs (that's John Quigley to you and me).
And boy does it work. The place is heaving at the weekends. You can't get to the bar for the mass of bodies, all intent on drinking as much as they can and having as much fun as possible.
If you like busy, noisy bars, then Lowdown at the weekend is the place for you.
And there's an added attraction for those of you who like football - players sometimes frequent here.
Yes, you might be drinking with Scotland's not so-Posh 'n' Becks, Lorenzo Amoruso and his model girlfriend Julie Hannah, Celtic's party- loving midfielder Neil Lennon, or Craig Burley - who was spotted on the night of the cup final.
If this appeals, then Lowdown is a must. If cheesy dance music appeals then it's also a must. A mixture of classic, and not-so classic '70s and '80s sounds boom out of the speakers at the weekend, but at times it's the sheer volume of chit-chat that is most audible.
This place is huge, there is hardly room to move, and it is a bit overpowering as a pub. Do not pop along here for a quiet drink at the weekend. But do pop along for a quiet drink during the week.
I spent one pleasant Wednesday evening in Lowdown, beside an open fire - always a winner in a Scottish bar before May ... er, make that all year. The huge tables are interesting, the bar area is attractive, and they serve food until 11pm, so if you're peckish it's ideal.
However, it's not everyone's cup of tea, as friends of mine were quick to point out. One was not amused at having to negotiate a jam-packed dancefloor the minute she stepped out the loo.
And as well as footballers, it does seem to attract its share of ugly people. "Look at these folk," she cried. "It's like being in the House of Horrors."
If truth be told, Lowdown is probably the best place for some of the clientele of this bar. Lorenzo they ain't.
Open: Mon to Thur, 11.30am to 1am; Friday and Saturday, 3am; Sunday, 12.30pm to 1am.
Drink promos: From 4pm-7pm every day, bottle of house champagne, £17.50; bucket of five bottled beers, £9.50; pitcher of spirit and Red Bull, £9.50.
Details
0141 331 4060
Yes, you might be drinking with Scotland's not so-Posh 'n' Becks, Lorenzo Amoruso and his model girlfriend Julie Hannah, Celtic's party- loving midfielder Neil Lennon, or Craig Burley - who was spotted on the night of the cup final.
If this appeals, then Lowdown is a must. If cheesy dance music appeals then it's also a must. A mixture of classic, and not-so classic '70s and '80s sounds boom out of the speakers at the weekend, but at times it's the sheer volume of chit-chat that is most audible.
This place is huge, there is hardly room to move, and it is a bit overpowering as a pub. Do not pop along here for a quiet drink at the weekend. But do pop along for a quiet drink during the week.
I spent one pleasant Wednesday evening in Lowdown, beside an open fire - always a winner in a Scottish bar before May ... er, make that all year. The huge tables are interesting, the bar area is attractive, and they serve food until 11pm, so if you're peckish it's ideal.
However, it's not everyone's cup of tea, as friends of mine were quick to point out. One was not amused at having to negotiate a jam-packed dancefloor the minute she stepped out the loo.
And as well as footballers, it does seem to attract its share of ugly people. "Look at these folk," she cried. "It's like being in the House of Horrors."
If truth be told, Lowdown is probably the best place for some of the clientele of this bar. Lorenzo they ain't.
Open: Mon to Thur, 11.30am to 1am; Friday and Saturday, 3am; Sunday, 12.30pm to 1am.
