Let's be honest, there are only a few men in the world who could get away with wearing a sarong.
David Beckham, possibly. Orlando Bloom, maybe. Brad Pitt at a push his recent skirt-wearing antics in Troy give him a head start.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm a modern girl who likes a man to be in touch with his feminine side. But men in sarongs? No ta.
reckon most women would agree with me, but this fact appeared to have completely by-passed the bloke who ventured out to Stones in Falkirk in a sarong.
As he sashayed up to the bar, clearly enjoying the attention his swaying skirt was attracting, I started to have a few doubts about the place. But, first things first. As a venue, Stones is quite wonderful.
A stunning conversion from an old stone stable, situated next to the canal, it has clearly had a pile of cash spent upon it by an extremely design-conscious owner.
A vast, double-height space, complete with mezzanine level and outside terrace, this is one classy joint.
The huge expanse of wooden floors leads along a stone wall, complete with gorgeous archway doors that lead to the outside seating area, where you can watch the canal life beyond go by.
Walk back inside and a giant bar is straight ahead, to the right, and the stairs lead to the cosy upstairs level, which is also hired out for functions. There are large areas of tables, chairs, and comfy leather sofas, while the main eating area is an intimately lit space.
Squarely aimed at Falkirk's young, trendy, professional crowd, in theory, the owners have got one of the coolest bars anywhere outside of Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Unfortunately, however, they don't seem to know quite what to do with it. One of the main problems is the sound system. Sit close to the entrance and you'll never hear what your pal is saying, no matter how loud you shout.
Sit near the back of the room and the music is a dull thud, indistinguishable from track to track (which is perhaps just as well, as I swear the DJ was playing Oleta Adams. Yes, Oleta Adams. On a Saturday night). After spending so much on a beautiful refurbishment, surely a quality speaker system is a must.
The atmospherics are all wrong, which is not helped by the fact that even at 10.30 on a Saturday night, the place seems eerily empty.
Sitting outside on a sunny afternoon, having lunch and a few glasses of wine probably creates a different ambience, but what should be the busiest night of the week seemed a bit of a damp squib.
Fill this place with people, sort out the sound system, banish Oleta Adams records and Stones would be a winner because, on this evidence, it has fantastic potential that just isn't being being fulfilled.
Still, at least sarong man really seemed to be having a blast.
Open: Sun-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri/Sat 11am-1am,
Drinks: Pint of lager, £2 - £2.30, spirit and mixer, £2, alcopops £2.60, bottled beers, £2.30, top three cocktails, £3 from 9pm onwards.
Rating: Three out of five
Details
01324 613311 
A stunning conversion from an old stone stable, situated next to the canal, it has clearly had a pile of cash spent upon it by an extremely design-conscious owner.
A vast, double-height space, complete with mezzanine level and outside terrace, this is one classy joint.
The huge expanse of wooden floors leads along a stone wall, complete with gorgeous archway doors that lead to the outside seating area, where you can watch the canal life beyond go by.
Walk back inside and a giant bar is straight ahead, to the right, and the stairs lead to the cosy upstairs level, which is also hired out for functions. There are large areas of tables, chairs, and comfy leather sofas, while the main eating area is an intimately lit space.
Squarely aimed at Falkirk's young, trendy, professional crowd, in theory, the owners have got one of the coolest bars anywhere outside of Edinburgh or Glasgow.
Unfortunately, however, they don't seem to know quite what to do with it. One of the main problems is the sound system. Sit close to the entrance and you'll never hear what your pal is saying, no matter how loud you shout.
Sit near the back of the room and the music is a dull thud, indistinguishable from track to track (which is perhaps just as well, as I swear the DJ was playing Oleta Adams. Yes, Oleta Adams. On a Saturday night). After spending so much on a beautiful refurbishment, surely a quality speaker system is a must.
The atmospherics are all wrong, which is not helped by the fact that even at 10.30 on a Saturday night, the place seems eerily empty.
Sitting outside on a sunny afternoon, having lunch and a few glasses of wine probably creates a different ambience, but what should be the busiest night of the week seemed a bit of a damp squib.
Fill this place with people, sort out the sound system, banish Oleta Adams records and Stones would be a winner because, on this evidence, it has fantastic potential that just isn't being being fulfilled.
Still, at least sarong man really seemed to be having a blast.
Open: Sun-Thu 11am-midnight, Fri/Sat 11am-1am, 
