|
Drinking in King's Cross
Exploring Bars in Sydney's Colorful Side
For some, lively
King's Cross is World Party Headquarters in Sydney.
Those looking for the colorful side of
Sydney's nightlife travel to King's Cross.
It's a little bit of London in your life, a little bit of Amsterdam
on the side; in short, the quirky part of Sydney. It has tacky pubs,
wacky clubs, strip joints, tattoo parlors, adult book stores and a perfectly
legal red light district, all under bright neon lights which burn bright
well into daylight. Not surprisingly, it's the most popular place for
"Buck's Nights," Aussie-speak for male bachelor parties.
If it's a bit too much on the senses, it's a short trek to the more
comfortable confines of Paddington.
Pubs
The center of activity is Darlinghurt Road from King's Cross to Oxford
Street. This is mostly an area of clubs, but there are a few pubs here,
as well.
Opened in 1968 to attract U.S. servicemen on holiday, the Bourbon
and Beefsteak Bar is delightfully tacky and features live jazz or
rock 'n roll all week. It's open until 5:30 in the morning on weekends.
Piccadilly Hotel on Victoria Street is an Art Deco pub, popular
and a bit trendy. There are two bars, the Soho Bar downstairs popular
with travelers and the Lounge Bar upstairs mainly frequented by locals.
Upstairs also has a balcony and pool table.
O'Malley's Hotel is an Irish sports pub with elegance. A mix
of backpackers and businessmen come here for drinks and to watch games
on its many TVs.
Mansion's is half-pub, half-club. Some enjoy coming here to
cram onto the small dance floor, while others enjoy thier pint at the
bar in its bright and modern decor. After midnights on weekends, it's
packed.
Clubs
Does every big city have a Palladium? The one in Sydney covers
two floors of an old theater and attracts everyone from full-on clubbers
to more casual lounge lizards.
Rhino Bar and Sugareef are side-by-side on Bayswater
Road. The former has a lively crowd not interested in "the scene"
ready to mix it up on the small dance floor while the latter is classy
without being pretentious.
DMC on Oxford Street is one of the area's most popular clubs,
at least for those who can make it past the picky doormen. Much easier
entry is available nearby at Club 77 (277 William Street in what
is technically East Sydney). There's usually a queue but it's relaxed.
This puts the mostly-straight patrons in an all-night party mood. Okay,
the pub-type drink prices help there, too.
The appropriately-named Underground Cafe is indeed underground
on Bayswater. Often featuring international DJs playing house mixed
with some garage music, they please the mostly young but well-dressed
crowd, some of whom just prefer a good game of pool to dancing.
The Car Wash is a friendly, casual disco. It plays 70s and 80s
music to largely a backpacker crowd, not really caring to see or being
seen. This makes it relaxed and comfortable. The modest cover charge
is $5 on weekends and beers are $3.
MORE SYDNEY
HOTSPOTS!
• Cockle
Bay
• The
Rocks
• King's
Cross
• Victoria
Street/Paddington
• Bondi
Beach
 Next
stop on the Sydney Party Bus, Victoria St./Paddington!
|