YOU can tell a good party when you have to enter through the back door.
It's Saturday night and dozens are flocking to the 'official' opening night of one of Sheffield's most anticipated bars, The Bowery.
Created in the Devonshire Quarter by former Arctic Monkeys bass player Andy Nicholson, DQ's Michael 'Deano' Dean, James O'Hara and backed by Arctics drummer Matt Helders, The Bowery aims to be the bar with the local boozer atmosphere.
But there's nothing of a local boozer atmosphere here tonight.
The glass-fronted bar is heaving with people (all guest list), girls clad in designer gear flock the dance floor, exotic cocktails are stirred and the champagne's flowing – or gushing, rather.
Due to a licensing hiccup, the Bowery cannot legally sell alcohol on its launch, so it's free drinks all night. Champagne and wine bottles are clung to and carted across the dance floor like fashion accessories. There's en masse gradual inebriation – except for your correspondent, who foolishly opted to drive.
But it's Monday, The Bowery's proper launch day, when the bar really shines. It's friendly, informal and inviting, with a paying bar – a true local boozer.
Andy says: "Everyone's welcome here. We don't want to be one of these places that doesn't let people in because they have a Henri Lloyd shirt on. We want people to come in and enjoy it.
"Me, James and Michael always had an idea to open a bar. We acquired this plot of land and today it's fully ready."
He's right – the bar is immaculately presented, with dark wood minimalist tables, an exposed brick wall to the back of the bar and Andy's own, eerie photographs of the North adorning the walls of the premises in Devonshire Street, opposite the West One plaza of bars, restaurants and shops.
And tonight, the bar's mission to create a hub and platform for Sheffield's music scene, is already being achieved, among the guests are some of Sheffield's musical movers and shakers, including Cabaret Voltaire's Richard E Kirk and MC/graffiti artist Kid Acne, while Reverend and the Makers and Little Man Tate producer Alan Smyth DJs. His selection befits the convivial, lively atmosphere, playing songs such as The Doors' Love Her Madly.
Despite rumours of a possible appearance, Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner was not at either of the openings. According to Andy, he will be contributing a background compilation of his favourite tracks for the venue, along with Reverend and the Makers singer Jon McClure.
There's also national talent lined up to perform at The Bowery.
"Drew from Babyshambles said he'd come up and play. The wheels have started turning and we can start booking things now," says Andy, who says there will be a different music act, DJ or theme every Friday.
Looking around his bar, with a big smile on his face, Andy says: "I think it will work."
This week the venue is opening 4pm- 1am, but next week, when the food menu starts, it will be open 10am-1am.
There will be a deli-style daytime menu of sandwiches and snacks sourced from Yorkshire outlets, and a range of cocktails, styled the History of Booze, devised by bar manager Jamie Mclaren.
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