Bar Time is the latest watering hole in Sofia, a fine addition to the city's night life, although it will probably take considerable time for it to generate the necessary momentum and loyal following it deserves.

The bar was opened on September 24 2010 on a warm and serene Friday night. We decided to partake in the event by descending on it with the lads and I remember being shocked by the size of the crowd crammed inside on the opening night. Dozens were lingering outside and across the street as scores were packed in. Reaching the bar and ordering a drink seemed impossible. Shortly after we battled it out for our beer, it was announced that all the lager was exhausted and only hard alcohol remained.

The crowd consisted of your mix between Bilkova Pub and One More Bar and just for a moment I thought to myself "someone somewhere is a bit miffed". We then left the pub and zeroed on another of our locals with the promise to visit Bar Time again the following week, which we did, only to find a completely different environment – almost devoid of people, which was strange given it was a Saturday night. There was to be no swift and radical shift of power or equilibrium in the Sofia night life scene then – it appeared that Bar Time will take some time to establish the reputation that it will need to stay afloat.

Having said all that, the place is a corker. It is perched on 62 Tsar Assen Street, which is parallel to Vitosha Boulevard, only a five-minute walk from the National Palace of Culture (NDK) or the Pette Kyusheta, and JJ Murphy's.

Bar Time was set up by three friends, one of whom is an acquaintance of Kiro, one of my close mates, a loyal drinking buddy and fellow mountaineer. Apparently, the three lads conceived of setting up their own bar – and did just that. Rented out the place, decorated it themselves, did most of the grunt work on their own and came up with Bar Time.

Being new, the bar has that sterile appearance and smell to it – but it does have a personality nevertheless. It consists of two separate areas linked by a hallway with the toilets in between. Apart from the decent music (this is a chalga-free zone), there are also flat screen TVs showing sports almost interminably but without sound.

Staropramen beer 500ml is the cheapest you'll get for 2.20 leva, with the Tuborg and Becks going up to 2.80 leva. I was baffled to discover that there was no Bulgarian beer, so I had to settle for that pseudo-Czech sludge instead. A small whisky measuring 50ml will set you back from 3.50 up to six leva, depending on what you fancy. Wines, cognacs, vodka, soft drinks, coffee are also available. There is no kitchen to speak of, so if you got the munchies make sure to get some grub before venturing in, alternatively – crisps at 1.60 leva and nuts for four leva is all you get.

Be patient with it. The place will pick up, and you can help it do so by venturing once in a while. Already been there twice, but our little troop will be there again.