Nightspots for grown-ups?

Have to agree Pommy bastard. Many moons ago I remember going to Corny’s Pub in Tipperary…I will never forget the ‘music corner’. They try here…but you can never beat the real deal.

Lets face it people, the only real Irish pubs are in Ireland (and the pubs in Wales and Cornwall are better in any case.)

Anyone thinking they are getting an “Irish pub experience” in Aus, NZ the USA or anywhere outside of Ireland is either delusional or happy with fifth rate watered down cack.

It must be said there are a few whales at Galaxy but as for cougars, they’re pretty rare unless women aged in their mid to late 30’s could be classed as cougars. Anyway, the reason why management doubled the price to get in is to keep the young ones away.

j from the block said :

peterh said :

busgirl said :

As for a good irish pub, it helps to have some irish people working the bar.
.

Ah, we lost our boy with Irish accent last week, there goes our Irishness!

just wait for the influx in late spring / early summer. australia is a magnet for the irish, it is just like home, only warmer.

peterh said :

busgirl said :

As for a good irish pub, it helps to have some irish people working the bar.
.

Ah, we lost our boy with Irish accent last week, there goes our Irishness!

busgirl said :

Puhleeease…let’s face it…those males who embark on so-called ‘whaling expeditions’ only do so because they know they are in for a ‘sure thing’ and it is the only way they’re ever likely to get a leg over that night. ‘Expeditions’ are intentional not accidental…

Or they are taking one for the team with the whale, so their mate can get in with the “hot friend”, without being interrupted by said whale.

busgirl said :

Puhleeease…let’s face it…those males who embark on so-called ‘whaling expeditions’ only do so because they know they are in for a ‘sure thing’ and it is the only way they’re ever likely to get a leg over that night. ‘Expeditions’ are intentional not accidental…

some of us go out to these venues in the dim hope of making a new friend. I have been to galaxy, i have seen the crowd in there, and if you added naked dancers, it would be knights all over again.

As for a good irish pub, it helps to have some irish people working the bar.

I live near the chisholm tavern, and used to live near the kambah tavern. these places can get rough, but there is always music at these venues, sure, it is mostly covers, but it is still an enjoyable night out.

Fisho said :

Canberra desperately needs a proper Irish pub.

Whats the definition of a “proper Irish pub”? Obviously not the plastic Irish pubs around town, the term gets thrown around a bit at the Phoenix / Wig and Pen, is it the beer, the atmosphere, the smell?

Puhleeease…let’s face it…those males who embark on so-called ‘whaling expeditions’ only do so because they know they are in for a ‘sure thing’ and it is the only way they’re ever likely to get a leg over that night. ‘Expeditions’ are intentional not accidental…

Unfortunately for those of us who are into our 30’s and beyond who want to listen to a decent DJ, there really is little choice in Canberra. O’Malleys has the cover bands but it seems to be Charles and Mitch (jeez he’s got big in the last decade!!) with their respective bands and that’s about it. Galaxy’s DJs have a repetitive playlist but that’s not surprising as their boss is a toad who used to try and wreck singles night at the Labor Club 20 years ago.

In the good old days of Canberra nightlife, there was always Rascals or Julianas for the oldies and the Bin, City club and Pandoras for the 18-25s. There’s still a lot of people out there who want a decent place for the older crowd.

Get a decent venue, a good DJ, get a proper dress code (collared shirt and no trainers) and it would be a winning recipe.

Eeek – can’t believe I just wrote “their” instead of “there” – must be senility…

also, cougar I know but what the hell is a mack-daddy?

Wow – thanks you all for the advice. Sounds like we’ve got to create our own 30s and 40s venue – let’s just pick a pub and all turn up their once a month or something! Then we can make it what we want it to be.

Thanks again – Jack.

Jolly Jugs ….. my first ever bar job … and man I worked my @#%$ off.

Canberra desperately needs a proper Irish pub.

the bin, pandoras, and mooseheads.

ha!

I miss the good old days when i didnt care about crowds, noise, being smashed and taxi lines. ahhh the lament of youth long gone….

i havent been out in ages, but i dont mind king o’malleys outside on a nice summer evening. green square was my hangout of choice, dont know what its like these days.

ahappychappy said :

Or you could go mingle with the cougars and mack-daddys over at Galaxy at the Casino.
Always good for a chuckle.

Just be sure that a cougar hunting trip doesn’t turn into a whaling expedition.

Last time unfortunately a whaling expedition was embarked on unwillingly by a friend…

Pommy bastard said :

Any clubs play decent 80’s and 90’s house (anthemic/happy/hard, not fussy as long as its good,) for a discerning 40yrs + crowd?

Haha! ICBM (I can’t believe I even uttered that name) does have quite a bit of 70s/80s/90s house music on when it’s open. A young crowd though, and the music you’re after will be put between current pop music and house.

Oh, and make sure you’re wearing laced shoes.

Any clubs play decent 80’s and 90’s house (anthemic/happy/hard, not fussy as long as its good,) for a discerning 40yrs + crowd?

I don’t understand the fascination (and never did) with drinking overpriced drinks in a noisy bar with crap acoustics where you have to shout to make yourself heard, along with another group doing the same thing, then queue for hours for a cab and play the hop-skip and a jump game to avoid the puddles of puke….

Much prefer an acoustic venue…

Durham in Kingston, hands down.

Being over 30 I don’t go out, but Parlour – to my limited understanding – fits the bill.

http://www.parlour.net.au/gallery.html

Or you could go mingle with the cougars and mack-daddys over at Galaxy at the Casino.
Always good for a chuckle.

Thumper is definately on the mark. It depends on what kind of music you want i.e originals, covers, Rock, or folk or anything louder softer or in between).

Secondly, The Wig n Pen is sadly no longer a live music venue and hasn’t been for at least 7 seven years (unless they’ve started up again?). Nor is Tilleys (correct me if i’m wrong, but having an interstate act play once a month doesn’t earn it the title of being a real live venue in my opinion). It’s a beautiful relaxed place but they do charge far too much for a warm VB.

King O’malleys (canb city)claims to have the best bands in town. Maybe the best covers bands but it’s not a dedicated originals venue.

If you really do like your music, then I’d suggest paying attention to what’s on at:

The Phoenix (City CBD)- Free entry, live original music on at least wed and sat nights (Folk, Rock, pop, Gypsy etc etc and even hard Rock / Metal on rarer occasions.

The Potbelly (weedon Cl, Belconnen)- generally a maximum of $5 cover charge (free on open mic night)with all original genre’s as listed above playing on thurs nights (open mic jam sessions), Fri Nights, Sat Nights and the occasional Sun eve show. It’s bigger than the Phoenix so it’s a more balanced blend of soft acoustic and loud Rock. http://www.myspace.com/thepotbelly

The Basement (cohen St, Belconnen)- generally a $10 entry but maybe expect to pay a little more for touring acts. Original Music , mainly hard rock and metal from both local and touring acts. A big room with a big PA. http://www.myspace.com/basementact

The Front (wattle St Lyneham)- Haven’t been there yet but have heard it’s small but a cool place. More of an acoustic venue I’m told (correct me if I’m wrong).

The ANU (Aust National University, Acton)- Bigger touring acts of all genres and occasionally local shows. Cover charge varies greatly and it’s obviously more of a student crowd. http://www.myspace.com/anubar or http://www.anuunion.com.au/index.php?option=com_eventlist&view=eventlist&Itemid=41

Bar 32 (Northbourne Ave, Canb City) – occasional local original bands on sat or thurs nights. small room, reasonable cover charge, but more of a student crowd.

Transit Bar – (Akuna St, Canb City) free entry with lots of DJ’s and the occasional live original music from touring and local bands. http://www.myspace.com/transitbar

Furthermore, the following is a list of good gig guides and info:

BMA mag (our local street press)or visit http://www.bmamag.com
culturazi – http://www.culturazi.com/?page_id=132 (you can subscribe and recieve weekly gig guide emails.
Fasterlouder- http://www.fasterlouder.com.au
Liveguide.com.au – you can subscribe here to recieve daily gig guide notices (on the weekdays of your choice)

Hope this helps. If i’m wrong on anything here, please correct me anyone. Then again, i know you will anyway. We are on Riot Act after all.

LL

Skidd Marx said :

It’s encouraging to know that some 30+’ers still have the urge to go out and get pi$$ed. All my crowd seems to ever want to do is host dinner parties where they can critique red wine whilst listening to Norah Jones.

Green square would be a good starting pint.

I’m distinctly 30+ and I spend more time at metal and punk gigs that anything else … occasionally some jazz when the good stuff comes through.

I’ve always found the Basement to be a friendly joint.

It’s encouraging to know that some 30+’ers still have the urge to go out and get pi$$ed. All my crowd seems to ever want to do is host dinner parties where they can critique red wine whilst listening to Norah Jones.

Green square would be a good starting pint.

Sydney’s not too far away.

Tongue and Groove in Civic is not letting under 18 yr olds in anymore so you could try there. Older Civic crowd, prices are up a bit deliberately to keep out the younger just wanna get pissed crowd.

Wood duck Inn in Hall is another little pub.

Keep an eye on the Front in Lyneham for live music as well.

Tilley’s Devine Cafe

HUSH +1 (GLBTI) rather it stayed that way too, “There is Club land for the hetero’s”

HUSH in Phillip

I feel pretty happy with Thumper’s wrap up. As someone who doesn’t often venture far from my regular, that list is perfect.

Thanks Thumper – very helpful!

Before my little ones came along, I used to enjoy a night at Debacle (Braddon) a lot.

Hippo