Oktoberfest comes to Tempe

The Place: Concordia Club, Tempe
When: October 1 2007

Back to the 80s

You can hear the sounds of these blokes at The Marly

On Friday night, I had two choices. Watch the Midsommer Murders or go see a band.

I opted for the latter, accepting Julia’s invitation to see/her cousin play in the cover band, The Nevilles.

They were playing at the Malborough Hotel (Marly Bar) and there was no cover charge. Instead of the obligatory beer I normally consume when watching a band play, we chose cocktails. The Marly’s back bar have a good selection at great prices and are whipped up quickly without any posturing from the bar staff.

The band was great. Initially I was shy to take to the dance floor. When the Kylie medley began I was out of my seat. By the second set everyone in the pub was dancing. They played a whole gamut of 80s music. I must admit, I was surprised to see the young punters mouth the words to the songs – wouldn’t they have been in nappies when Frankie went to Hollywood? Anyway, they played music by Iggy Pop, ACDC, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Kim Wilde, Simple Minds as well as the forgettable stuff like Transvision Vamp’s I want your love. It was great! As one lady took a fancy to me, Julia became my ‘girlfriend’ for the night. Oh we did have some blokes come onto us. But they were married and that was that.

The Nevilles will be back at the Marly in six weeks. See you there.

Revisiting Glebe

Twenty years ago and I was in Glebe wearing a school uniform. Before anyone gets excited, it was maroon with a thousand pleats that virtually came to the ankles.

Ten years ago and I was in Glebe living in a shared household that often resembled the Judgement Bar at 2:00am in the morning. In those days you were allowed to smoke inside.

Last week I was in Glebe celebrating Mother’s Day with my mum of course. Nothing has really changed actually except of course the pubs.

The Ancient Briton was a dive, Toxteth Hotel was a disgrace and the Harold Park Hotel was a hole in the ground. I loved all three of them. Now the Ancient Briton (or as tactfully they’ve renamed the AB Hotel) has a fish tank, overpriced glasses of ‘house’ wine and lousy service to match.

And the last time I recalled a visit to Harold Park was to see Ed Kuepper and the Yard Goes on Forever. It was the 80s and I wore patent leather heels, silk pants and drank midori. And yes, even Ed at the time would have thought my attire a disgrace.

They’ve really renovated the joint. Water features, chandeliers, lounges upholstered in fabric that resembled Florence Broadhurst style prints and an a la carte restaurant. It was a Sunday afternoon and so the place was filled with trendy blokes enjoying an Asahi beer with their mum’s (many whom settled for a pims).

At least Gleebooks is still around, Badde Manors is still happening and there are some tacky restaurants to choose.

Just wished the pubs weren’t too posh. Would have still liked Glebe to have the live music scene it had with the Harold Park Hotel.

Or maybe I am just getting too old.

Going to the Dogs

Tip: Never back a bitch who has time to smell the roses.

Saturday night and my mates and I were at Wentworth Park in Glebe to watch the greyhounds.

I got myself glammed up. I decided to wear my hair piece that I wore for Derby Day racing in Melbourne, teamed up with my True Religion jeans that I bought at Bergdorf Goodman in New York and white stiletto peep toe heels.

Of course I did not look out of place.

We dined at the track’s a la carte styled bistro. Maria and I had an octopus salad while the boys feasted on steaks with pepper sauce, mashed potato and steam vegetables.



Darin tucks into a bit of steak

Steve ordered a bottle of Brokenwood shiraz to go with his steak.

Oh and then there were the dogs. New to betting Penny, Maria and I received enthusiastic advice from a couple of blokes from Armidale.

“I can’t believe youse girls are single. I mean if youse were in Armidale youse would all be on dates within five minutes.”

Charmed by his compliment we enthusiastically put 20 bucks each on his tip – No 5. A gorgeous little stunner who took in a little whiff of flowers in a bush prior to her run. What class!

She came second last.

We had a great night though. Lots of friendly punters about, kiddies with their parents, a nice easy way to spend a Saturday evening. And my mates from the North Shore were suitably impressed. I mean where else would you get the Brokenwood Shiraz for $20.











Stevo and Dave suitably impressed with the price of the Brokenwood Shiraz

And the dogs were impressive too. We even got our pic taken in the Greyhound Revolver. Heck I may even get myself into a syndicate and buy a bitch. Anyone interested?

An evening at The Swank

My how Newtown’s Bank Hotel has changed!!!! Talk about sophistication. The upstairs cocktail bar with its glorious outdoor deck and bird’s eye view of Newtown Station is a must for any inner west sophisticate.

Indeed, my mate Sallyanne has renamed it The Swank

But Westies take note! The Swank’s cocktail menu will not suite. Toblerone and Pina Colada free (to my disappointment). Instead we have a Ruby Manhattan, a Dirty Spanish Martini and a Strawberry Femme Fatale.

I must say, I wouldn’t really recommend the Ruby Manhattan. With Wild Turkey to the blend, it would have suited someone like Bon Scott – that’s if he was into cocktails.

The Vanilla Mojito had a ‘woozy’ affect on my mate Karen, who was kinda hoping for a Pina Colada but she did enjoy the Femme Fatale.

Downstairs there is a more rowdy crowd and more outdoor drinking. I have to say, I feel quite sorry for the poor buggers who live in the apartment blocks that serves as the pub deck’s backdrop.

Spending quite a bit of time at The old Bank, I was quite sceptic about how the ‘refurbishment’ would look.

Would it simply be a wank job?

Yep, it is fancy, but I reckon the service from the bar staff prevents the pub from being The Wank. Friendly, efficient, they are devoid of the anorexic stares that you get from most staff bar that exist in the city or Eastern Suburbs bars. AND the bar staff hand back your change without that annoying little silver tray – even in the cocktail bar.

The Newtown Streaker

Letter from a fellow prince

Last week I hung out in my home suburb of Newtown for two days. It was great to discover the area, history and people, and would love to share it with you all.

How to get there? Well, I am not entirely sure because on Friday night I was out in Surry Hills and awoke in my bed on Saturday. I think it must have been the legendary “Newtown Magic Beer Bus” that picked me up and dropped me off in bed. But I am sure there are other buses, taxis, trains and planes and stuff. Check out the website newtownmagicbeerbus.com.au for a timetable.

Saturday Mornings in Newtown: I started my afternoon by visiting the local markets, or “IGA” as it is known in the native “Newtownese”. The variety of produce and tourists can be overwhelming at first, but I did not let that distress me. Possessing a degree in “Shopping Protocol” from the Berlin School of Kurfurstendamn, I was able to apply my knowledge, and put my elbows and ignorance of other people into action. The troublesome thing at local markets is what to buy? So, I made sure I made al list on a tatty piece of paper (highly recommended) – toilet paper, bread, milk and cigarettes… and a tin of mackerals in tomato sauce, for Graham, a local gentleman whom enjoys a fine cask wine or two in the parking lot behind my apartment.

Saturday afternoons in Newtown: After dropping off my bounty from the local markets, I hit King Street, the Kurfestendamn of Newtown. Bustling my way through tourist, Goths, Greenpeace protesters, and people laying on the pavement handing out poetry and asking for spare change, I went tot the “Courthouse Hotel” to watch a traditional game of football invented by very intelligent people in Melbourne called Australian Rules Football. The “Corto”, as it is known in its native Newtownese, is renowned for its fine ales, all of which I can highly recommend! And is also a hangout for locals practising their English.

Saturday Nights in Newtown: You can hire a DVD at either Video World on Wilson Street or Blockbuster on Enmore Road. The prices are basically the same, however the Video World has a pizzeria next door, while the Blockbuster has one of hose horrible fried chicken places. For conversation, my friend Graham, whom lives in the parking lot next door, is always good for a chat. He hangs out at night in front of the IGA, and you can lend him your mobile phone if you like so that he can call his lady friend in Redfern!

For Sunday evenings in Newtown, see above