Entertainment in Australia
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A
Outback Pioneer BBQ Bar
Modelled on a big iron shed, this rowdy bar is lined with long benches, with plenty of chances to meet other travellers and locals. It has pool tables, live music nightly (usually a touch of twang) and minimal dress standards.
reviewed
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Newport Arms Hotel
The mammoth beer garden buzzes with bronzed Aussies discussing surf boat competitions and comparing ocean swim times. Ignore them and enjoy the beautiful views over Pittwater instead. The Garden Bistro serves up good pub grub.
reviewed
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Revolver Upstairs
Rowdy Revolver can feel like an enormous version of your own lounge room, but with 54 hours of nonstop music come the weekend, you're probably glad it's not.
reviewed
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C
Town Hall Hotel
The Town Hall is an unfussy local. Live music is staged free in the front room from Thursday to Saturday, otherwise they’ll be spinning some classic vinyl. There’s a beer garden and pub meals are also available.
reviewed
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D
Koala Bar
Meet a partner with a use-by date at the free-spirited, lemon-and-salted backpacker bar par excellence. Sweaty bands bang out all-too-familiar tunes, but you’ve gotta love the dedication of the beer-swilling temporary expats.
reviewed
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Mooloolaba SLSC
So you want to drink, eat and party like a local? Get to your nearest surf club! Right on the beach, Mooloolaba’s has floor-to-ceiling windows affording stunning views during the day and suntanned dance floor antics by night.
reviewed
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E
Hotel New York
This pub hosts a steady stream of local and interstate acoustic and full-blown rock acts, plus DJs in Reality nightclub out the back (Thursday to Saturday from 11pm).
reviewed
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F
Spurs Saloon
Serves you drinks in a Wild West setting with barrels for tables and the requisite stuffed animal-head menagerie on the walls. There's karaoke here Thursday night, and the eight-ball tables are popular with the young blokes.
reviewed
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G
Marlborough Hotel
The Marly has a front sports bar with live bands on weekends, a shady beer garden, a cellar nightclub and a large cocktail floor with a cool wraparound terrace.
reviewed
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Alhambra Lounge
This place caters to clubbers who have outgrown their glow sticks. Themed around a Spanish castle, the dark red interiors are filled with sofas and private booths. Tunes are typically break-beat, house and new-school funk.
reviewed
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Ensemble Theatre
The long-running Ensemble Theatre presents mainstream theatre by overseas and Australian playwrights (think David Williamson and David Hare), generally with well-known Australian actors.
reviewed
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Knightsbridge Penthouse
It's about as chic as Canberra gets – which is surprisingly chic. This opulent den of a bar is cleverly illuminated by optic fibres and serves dishy cocktails to dishy folk. It's New Orleans Gothic meets Bret Easton Ellis.
reviewed
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Metro Theatre
Easily Sydney’s best venue to catch local and alternative international acts (the Maccabees, Public Enemy, Ladyhawke) in well-ventilated, easy-seeing comfort. Other offerings include comedy, cabaret and dance parties.
reviewed
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Wig & Pen
This little brewery and pub has its two-room interior packed out on Friday nights by thirsty office workers who also enjoy the hearty pub meals ($10 to $12). It produces several styles of beer, including real English ale.
reviewed
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The Grand Hotel
Formerly Cooney's, this place is now under new ownership and has a more upmarket vibe than in its last incarnation. It serves great cocktails and hosts regular 'College Nights' (Wednesdays) and 'Retro Nights' (Thursdays).
reviewed
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N
Kent St
If you like a beer for brunch and your bars dishevelled, Kent St keeps it coming morning, noon and night. Join the gearless bike set on the footpath or explore the nooks and crannies within. Coffee and all-day snacks too.
reviewed
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O
Tamworth Hotel
This place says country club and so does the slightly conservative crowd that drink here. There is a brasserie but no loud bands, just the faint sizzle of steaks and subtle hint of pretension wafting throughout the hotel.
reviewed
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Area Hotel
Area Hotel is the in-place this week. Revamped but still gloriously ugly in that grey-and-pink carpet, brown wall, backless bar stool sort of way, it features local bands and has regular jukebox parties.
reviewed
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Q
Arthouse
The Arthouse, at the Royal Artillery Hotel, is on the local indie-band circuit. Rock, country, hardcore punk, metal and ska, plays Wednesday to Saturday - mohawks and big wallet chains welcome. Sunday sees acoustic sets.
reviewed
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R
Belvoir St Theatre
In a quiet corner of Surry Hills, this intimate venue hosts the often-experimental and consistently excellent Company B. Shows sometimes feature big stars, such as Geoffrey Rush.
reviewed
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Cat & Fiddle
Around 30 live bands (mainly rock, blues and folk) perform here every week, from Wednesday through Sunday. Low-key reggae competes with big-screen sports in between sets. About as relaxed as Balmain allows itself to be.
reviewed
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Enmore Theatre
Originally a vaudeville playhouse, the elegantly wasted, 2500-capacity Enmore now hosts such acts as Queens of the Stone Age, Wilco and PJ Harvey, plus theatre and comedy. There's a cafe, wooden floors, lounge areas and balconies.
reviewed
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Rainbow Hotel
This Fitzroy icon has been hosting local talent for over a decade and is a fine option for good blues, folk and jazz of the raucous energetic type. It’s a small space and fills easily so start your Sunday session early.
reviewed
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Gunn Island Hotel
Friendly regular pub with 16 beers on tap and popular counter meals, including parmas the size of your head. It’s park-side and really pleasant for a Sunday afternoon, but it gets very crowded on weekend nights.
reviewed
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Noosa SLSC
Feel like a single-minded surfing mogul millionaire after a few jars in the $6 million, almost-famous Noosa Surf Life Saving Club. The views are unbelievable, as is the fact that pokies are played so close to paradise!
reviewed