You're greeted at Aberdeen's Chicago Rock Cafe by images of some of music's best- loved icons.
Stars such as Jimmy Hendrix, Johnny Cash and David Bowie adorn the walls along with framed guitars and Jefferson Starship LPs.
Meanwhile, on stage, a Beach Boys tribute band are belting out the groovy sounds of the '60s.
Okay, so none of the musos are actually from Chicago, but the name and initial impression leaves you looking forward to a night of rock `n' roll excess in the style of the American youth of yester- year ... and so far things look quite promising.
But first impressions can be misleading and unfortunately they don't always last. Wednesday it transpires, is the tribute act night.
And tonight it was the turn of California's finest to take to the stage. Initially we, along with the largely middle- aged crowd, were having Fun Fun Fun to a medley of Beach Boys surf pop hits.
Then the tide turned. Within half an hour, the Hawaiian shirts and Bermuda shorts had been ditched for a comedy rasta wig as the band transformed into everyone's favourite American rock act, erm, Shaggy.
Things only got worse when the band left the stage to be replaced by a soundtrack fresh from your parents' CD collection. Memories of years of dodgy family parties came flooding back as we swayed along to another chorus of Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree.
It wasn't great, but it wasn't that bad either - cheesy, but somewhat entertaining. So when Aberdeen's all- American bar and diner experience was suggested as the hot spot for a Saturday night out, off we went downtown.
Unfortunately, the second visit only confirmed initial suspicions - without live acts, Chicago Rock Cafe is simply another soul- less chain bar without any style, originality, atmosphere or appeal.
Unless that is, you're out on the pull. As well as being up there with the most bland bars in the city, Chicago Rock Cafe is also one of the biggest meat markets. And we're not just talking lusty youngsters here - the more mature drinkers were desperate for a piece of the action too.
Saturday night saw the crowd having a great time, men and their air guitars rocking out to the sounds of Bon Jovi, while pop princess Kylie prompted a mass of mini- skirted, middle-aged women to gyrate around the dancefloor.
But as unappealing as all this is, it doesn't seem to be putting people off - the place was packed with punters streaming in to converge around the two bars and central dancefloor.
We're unsure if the promotional tag for Chicago Rock Cafe is asking, or telling, us: "Who Rocks the Party." Just don't expect to be blown away by Aberdeen's little piece of the windy city.
Open: Sun-Thu, 11.30am-1am;
Fri and Sat, 11.30am-2am
Drinks: Spirit and mixer from £1.80, pint lager from £1.80
(drinks go up between 7-10pm and rise again after 10pm to nightclub prices)
Details
01224 595 232
Things only got worse when the band left the stage to be replaced by a soundtrack fresh from your parents' CD collection. Memories of years of dodgy family parties came flooding back as we swayed along to another chorus of Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree.
It wasn't great, but it wasn't that bad either - cheesy, but somewhat entertaining. So when Aberdeen's all- American bar and diner experience was suggested as the hot spot for a Saturday night out, off we went downtown.
Unfortunately, the second visit only confirmed initial suspicions - without live acts, Chicago Rock Cafe is simply another soul- less chain bar without any style, originality, atmosphere or appeal.
Unless that is, you're out on the pull. As well as being up there with the most bland bars in the city, Chicago Rock Cafe is also one of the biggest meat markets. And we're not just talking lusty youngsters here - the more mature drinkers were desperate for a piece of the action too.
Saturday night saw the crowd having a great time, men and their air guitars rocking out to the sounds of Bon Jovi, while pop princess Kylie prompted a mass of mini- skirted, middle-aged women to gyrate around the dancefloor.
But as unappealing as all this is, it doesn't seem to be putting people off - the place was packed with punters streaming in to converge around the two bars and central dancefloor.
We're unsure if the promotional tag for Chicago Rock Cafe is asking, or telling, us: "Who Rocks the Party." Just don't expect to be blown away by Aberdeen's little piece of the windy city.
Open: Sun-Thu, 11.30am-1am;
