THE scientific community is, of course, indispensible and incredible.

The work they carry out defines much of what we do: from those who study how to best cure our battered livers after a typical West of Scotland boozing session, to the political scientists and economists who strive to understand society and industry, to the academics who put long, hard hours into the metatextual analysis of Mexican soap operas.

All of these people do important work but jeez, you wouldn't want to hang about with them. I know this because I've experienced it in previous lives.

Before I became Glasgow's fifth most-respected clubs writer, I worked in a company with ecologists, physicists, data analysts and academics.

Trying to get stimulating conversation out of these people over obligatory after-work drinks was like the work itself: a depressing, thankless ritual which ended in failure and frustration.

Still, I learned a lot about ospreys so I shouldn't really complain.

All of this is in stark contrast to the vision of academia offered up by Ashton Lane's newest bar, The Research Club.

Taking the place once occupied by Nude, it's a fresh, bright, vibrant loft space: all exposed brick and a distressed wood bar in the middle of the room.

It serves up a selection of Drygate craft beers, cocktails and charcuterie sharing platters - a welcome change from standard pub grub - and as is to be expected, the vibes are laid back and relaxed.

It might lack the unhinged, sweaty madness of its underground namesake, the Hetherington Research Club, but it's a different proposition altogether and a great addition to the ever- popular Ashton Lane.