6 April 2006

The rebirth of the 'ole Soul

| Indi
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Just passing by the old haunt of mine from years gone by and thought, why not have a quick drink at the Contented Soul (Woden)…well, hasn’t it been given a bit of a lift and a slightly new name, ‘The Soul Bar’.

I’m not sure yet whether or not it was a good idea to be giving the place a good overhaul, as all of the memorabilia is gone (except for the statue, a solitary church pew and the bar) and the place now is on the way to having a fresh lick of paint, a long wall lounge and maybe receiving just a touch of ‘B Bar’ about it…but it’s in the burbs. No doubt, an interior designer of some sorts is involved in this schmick makeover.

Some of the die-hard regulars still linger by the bar and seemed to appreciate the new clientele – well healed, cashed up and desperately looking for somewhere else to have a drink besides down by the cinema (with all the kiddies) or with the hords at the faceless ubber clubs.

This place will fill up with a new crowd and hopefully bring some life back to the place…although, sadly I would say that the good ole days were always best when it did feel like a small pub and there was always a bit of action to be had. In saying that, here’s hoping it doesn’t turn into an overt ‘stare fest’ for the want-to-be-glamour set that always appear in bars just busting for someone to notice them, rather than engage in conversation. I wonder if they are considering a ‘speed dating’ night?

Rating: at this point as it isn’t quite finished – 6/10.

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Had a look down at The Soul Bar last Friday night. I have been a regular for the past 6 years and it the biggest crowd i have seen there. There was live band, which they have every friday night, which was an all female band, much to the delight of my boyfriend. Gone is the old memo stuff on the walls, but the ole lady was still there. No smoking now, which is great (as a non smoker) and better range, and quality of wine and according to tim, better tap beer. Would be good if they opened on weekends though. Maybe we should partition. Also a nice change by not having poker machine noises in the background. Definitely worth going back to. Live music is a dying breed in Canberra and this place had a great feel to it last friday. Have not yet tried their lunch menu but will report back when i have.

toriness – don’t worry I know you weren’t dissing our favoured grotty bars, the phoenix was one my other preferred joints (however, I don’t think I fitted the mould there as much as over at the Soul).

As a creatures of habit I guess we can get too comfortable with a place and expect it to stay ‘intact’.

indi – didn’t meant to sound like i was dissing either phoenix or tilleys. i am a huge fan of a grotty (said affectionately) little bar with a huge amount of character like the phoenix. the soul might be going upmarket a little – but i think thus far it has retained it’s soul.

i personally have been ‘clubbed’ to death and its good to see a watering hole close to home and work. Dropped in for a great vindaloo and heard some of the memorabilia will go back up once cleaned. Rest being sold after easter on the Soul’s first Saturday opening.

got any contact details for GiLF?

the word is it will be opening on Sat and then eventually maybe even Sun…toriness your descriptor about the place as it used to be would be about right in the middle of phoenix and tilleys, it’s a shame those days have passed, but this may turn out to be for the best.

i went there last friday night to see GiLF play (canberra’s all girl rock band!) and having not been there for about 4 years, i was most impressed by the changes! before going there, i described the venue to those who didn’t know it as ‘halfway between tilleys and phoenix’ but now i think it’s more like – well i don’t know but more upmarket than both those places!

When, oh when will they open on a Saturday?

Absent Diane4:09 pm 06 Apr 06

Used to love the old contented soul… loved drinking there after school… and walking out getting stung by the sun and feeling twice as drunk… Iwill check it out when I get the chance. check my lyrics

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