Despite the flashy name, the Temple Lane is really just christened after the street it's on. That's mildly unimaginative, but it's purely a coincidence that it happens to have such a cool-sounding address.
The Temple is anything but a temple. In fact, if you were to compare it to any sort of religious edifice, the closest would have to be a confessional booth it's small, but it's comfy enough that you don't mind sitting there for a good blether with your pals.
Previously, the Temple Lane was known as Bar Pivo, one of the Czech-themed Pivo chain which seems to have a branch in every major Scottish city.
Not so in Dundee these days. The now privately-owned premises has been open since the summer and it seems to be doing well for itself.
Of course, it's in a decent position for those who know of it, no more than five minutes' walk from the west end of Dundee's shopping precinct, the Dundee University campus, or the artistic hub of the city's Contemporary Arts Centre and Rep Theatre.
As such, the place seems to attract a young, fashionable and cultured crowd, as befits its sophisticated ambience.
Stuck right on the street corner, the Temple looks a lot larger from the outside, although once you get in it feels more comfortably snug than oppressively cramped. At night-time the lighting is subdued, but the large windows wrapping around the bar's L-shaped exterior prohibit such moody atmospherics in the day.
In keeping with the dark, dusky effect, the seating consists of monochrome stools and high-backed bench seating. On a week-night that's more than enough room to seatanyone out for a quiet pint with their mates, but it's standing room only on busier weekends.
If you're charmed by the cosy size of the Temple Lane, you haven't seen the half of it yet. Or rather, you've seen the vast majority of it, because The Den sitting just through the archway to the right of the bar is the tiniest snug in existence.
Available, so we're told (and to our absolute astonishment, it must be said) for the use of private parties, the room if we may call it such promises much before you actually turn the corner.
But it tapers off pretty damn sharply into a wedge shape, with three tables leaving room to accommodate no more than about 10 or 15 people.
In other words, don't go putting it on a list of possible wedding venues.
That said, it radiates the same kind of closely-knit warmth as the rest of the bar ... not to mention a bit of privacy for couples who've had a few too many and started copping off before they make it to a club.
Such a friendly atmosphere might come from the fact that the management and staff put a lot of effort into the place.
Service is polite and the staff have decent enough taste in music that the pre-club vibe doesn't suffer through the lack of a DJ.
There's no full food menu, but home-made stew is rather quaintly sold until 5.30 pm.
Sadly, Betty from Coronation Street had just popped out while we were in but an antipasti selection is available at all times.
The world's oldest beer Bavarian Weihenstephen, dating back to 1040 AD is also part of the healthily cultured drinks menu.
Don't let the size put you off this Temple is definitely worth worshipping in.
Open:Seven days, noon-midnight
Drinks: Pint of Stella Artois, £2.50; Smirnoff Ice, £2.50; vodka and coke, £1.90.
Rating: Three out of five
Details
01382 223095
In keeping with the dark, dusky effect, the seating consists of monochrome stools and high-backed bench seating. On a week-night that's more than enough room to seatanyone out for a quiet pint with their mates, but it's standing room only on busier weekends.
If you're charmed by the cosy size of the Temple Lane, you haven't seen the half of it yet. Or rather, you've seen the vast majority of it, because The Den sitting just through the archway to the right of the bar is the tiniest snug in existence.
Available, so we're told (and to our absolute astonishment, it must be said) for the use of private parties, the room if we may call it such promises much before you actually turn the corner.
But it tapers off pretty damn sharply into a wedge shape, with three tables leaving room to accommodate no more than about 10 or 15 people.
In other words, don't go putting it on a list of possible wedding venues.
That said, it radiates the same kind of closely-knit warmth as the rest of the bar ... not to mention a bit of privacy for couples who've had a few too many and started copping off before they make it to a club.
Such a friendly atmosphere might come from the fact that the management and staff put a lot of effort into the place.
Service is polite and the staff have decent enough taste in music that the pre-club vibe doesn't suffer through the lack of a DJ.
There's no full food menu, but home-made stew is rather quaintly sold until 5.30 pm.
Sadly, Betty from Coronation Street had just popped out while we were in but an antipasti selection is available at all times.
The world's oldest beer Bavarian Weihenstephen, dating back to 1040 AD is also part of the healthily cultured drinks menu.
Don't let the size put you off this Temple is definitely worth worshipping in.
Open:Seven days, noon-midnight
