Location, you would imagine, is a pretty important thing for anyone considering opening a new bar.
In most Scottish cities, you wouldn't imagine a pub that's five or 10 minutes walk from the main drag being too much of a problem for the punters.
Not in Aberdeen. If you're not going more than a drunken stroll off the compact Union Street area, you'd be just as well hiring a minibus to Stonehaven.
Perhaps that explains why Bar Pivo isn't exactly buzzing on a Saturday night. To be fair, there are enough people to create a convivial enough atmosphere, but it's not exactly the wall- to-wall party such floorspace demands.
Opened in February, Bar Pivo would be doing pretty well to beat Edinburgh's original entry to the Pivo chain.
With its cozy basement atmosphere and 3am license, the capital's Pivo is just across the road from the Venue and right behind Waverley Station, so it mops up the pre-club crowd and late-night revelers returning from Glasgow.
Aberdeen's version of Pivo doesn't boast any such geographical advantages, but it's right next to the university halls of residence (which pretty much guarantee a daily flow of student- loan-blowing regulars).
This is something which will only be sorted out over time, and with a steady word- of-mouth. Not that this should be a problem when people actually get a look at the place.
Foregoing the rather tight confines of its big brother in the capital, Bar Pivo is set out over two spacious floors. Downstairs features a sunken seating area, which looks like it has some sort of catwalk up the middle, with plenty of standing room if needed. Upstairs, there is more seating as well as four tasteful red pool tables.
In keeping with the chain's Czech theme (Pivo is Czech for beer), there are a healthy selection of the country's lagers in stock behind the bar - from the more familiar Staropramen and Budvar, to lesser-known delights like Krusovice Imperial.
Maintaining the uber-trendy vibe, house DJs play at the weekends and student night Wednesdays - when there are drinks promos all night. It's only a matter of time before Bar Pivo establishes itself.
Open: Mon-Thur, 11am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 11am-1am; Sun, 12.30pm-midnight
Drinks: Bottled Czech lagers from £2.60, draught lagers from £2.20, vodka and mixer, £2.10.
Food: Mon-Sat, 11am-8pm; Sun, 12.30am-8pm
Rating: 3/5
Details
01224 638 369
Aberdeen's version of Pivo doesn't boast any such geographical advantages, but it's right next to the university halls of residence (which pretty much guarantee a daily flow of student- loan-blowing regulars).
This is something which will only be sorted out over time, and with a steady word- of-mouth. Not that this should be a problem when people actually get a look at the place.
Foregoing the rather tight confines of its big brother in the capital, Bar Pivo is set out over two spacious floors. Downstairs features a sunken seating area, which looks like it has some sort of catwalk up the middle, with plenty of standing room if needed. Upstairs, there is more seating as well as four tasteful red pool tables.
In keeping with the chain's Czech theme (Pivo is Czech for beer), there are a healthy selection of the country's lagers in stock behind the bar - from the more familiar Staropramen and Budvar, to lesser-known delights like Krusovice Imperial.
Maintaining the uber-trendy vibe, house DJs play at the weekends and student night Wednesdays - when there are drinks promos all night. It's only a matter of time before Bar Pivo establishes itself.
Open: Mon-Thur, 11am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 11am-1am; Sun, 12.30pm-midnight 
