UNLESS you're of a certain age, you might not remember that Ashton Lane never used to be brimming with bars, restaurants and a licensed cinema.

It was once a quiet and run-down cobbled lane with only a few workshops and a cafe.

Its regeneration began in the 1970s, when The Ubiquitous Chip took its place at the corner leading to Byres Road – this risky move paid off, other food and drink businesses followed and the lane was soon thriving.

Now it's unrecognisable, especially on weekend nights when it becomes one of the city's main going-out destinations.

Vodka Wodka is at the heart of it all. It's a supremely cosy vodka bar, popular with students from the neighbouring university and West End trendies alike.

Now into its twelfth year, it's seen the lane's surge in popularity first-hand and remains at the forefront, thanks in part to the large beer garden out back.

In the winter months the narrow back room is an ideal spot for quiet drinks pre-club: Oran Mor is within walking distance, as is the open-late Hillhead Bookclub.

There's also Boho, a ten minute saunter in the opposite direction: although why you'd put yourself through that is beyond me.

The Lane's annual Hogmanay Street Party, on Monday night, saw hundreds of revellers bringing in The Bells with the ubiquitous fireworks, piper and Celtic rock fusion band: namely Sketch.

This bagpipes-meets-beats combo are an acquired taste, but this being the one night of the year we can all wallow in our own Scottishness, they were the perfect foil to the coal-giving, whisky-soaked antics going on everywhere. Just don't make me listen to them again until next Hogmanay, please.

l This week we asked the clubbers for their New Year's resolutions