I went to a gig at The Ark last night, paid four pounds entry, stayed for an hour and left. Here, presented for your reading pleasure in a friendly positive/negative point form style is why:

+ The view through the front windows next to the bar down Princes Street into the late evening sun haze.

- Limited range of beers on tap

- Overpriced no-name crisps - and they didn’t have Salt & Vinegar! What kind of bar doesn’t stock S&V Crisps?!

- Amateurish band belting out stuff that would have been really, really good in 1994 in a garage in Seattle.

- Acoustics apparently designed to burst the maximum available number of ear drums.

+ Clearly marked exit signs.

Been there on one occassion - at an Iron Maiden tribute night with live bands performing and I had a really really good time…but first about the place. First what came to my mind - very few places to sit down (luckily we came early), second of all not to good organisation of timing (the party was about to start at 7:30 but it started 40min later so we had to stand outside in the cold). Apart from these things the whole thing was ok. A really good place to listen to live bands (good aqustics and alcohol not to expensive). All in all time well spent. Certainly recommended for people who want to listen to new coming bands, fans who want to go for a tribute night of their beloved band or for bands who want to show themselves to the public….

Formally the 'Waterloo Buffet' function room, in a former hotel at the East End of Princes Street, The Ark opened in July 2007. It would be fair to say it perhaps opened a little prematurely, as there are still many aspects of the decoration which look a little unfinished, but musically the Ark is doing something right.

There are generally gigs on every weekend, plus some midweek gigs - the venue is usually closed Mondays/Tuesdays though. Many local bands have now made us of the Ark and local promoters are beginning to utilise it for touring bands too, generally of an alternative/indie/rock persuasion.

Occupying the first floor of a narrow corner building, the venue itself is quite long and thin, the stage occupying the whole width of the wider end. It's a pretty deep stage, and is just about tall enough to allow people most of the way back to see the performers. At the narrow end is the bar, and windows which look right down Princes Street - quite a dramatic feature.

The Ark can only go from strength to strength as it gains a reputation, and hopefully this will provide the management to invest a little money in the decor. It'll be great when it's finished...