The Sydney Traveler » Just a Bit Weird – Fun & Quirky Places

Sydney Gets a Small Bar

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:57:58 +0000

Sydney’s first small bar in a city laneway will open tonight. Known simply as Small Bar, the Sussex Lane drinking hole is part of a new movement to redevelop the city’s small spaces.

“Enlivening laneways is part of our Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision to create a more vibrant city centre,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP.

“We hope other small businesses will follow suit and help reactivate laneways and forgotten spaces in the city centre.”

Small Bar is in line for the city council’s first laneway funding grant, an initiative which Ms Moore hopes will entice other small business owners into action.

“The City’s laneways hold enormous potential for people with innovative small businesses ideas to work with property owners to identify potential laneway spaces and create new attractions within them to draw in residents and visitors,” said Ms Moore.

Image source: Rodolfo Clix @ Stock.xchng

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The Very Hip, Very Exclusive McKenna Air Bar

Mon, 17 Nov 2008 04:19:29 +0000

McKenna Air Bar is coming! After a trial run last week, everyone is talking about the sky-high venue which will open for New Years Eve and some special dates in January.

The exclusive watering hole is actually a 22-seat bar suspended from a crane 40 metres above the ground. From here you can enjoy some expertly mixed drinks and pumping music as you take in the 360 degree Cockatoo Island vista. “Flights” take off every half hour and include a complimentary drink.

The fun stuff continues on the ground floor which has been dubbed McKenna City. This outdoor party area features a park, outdoor cinema, multiple bars, and its own Chinatown.

I hear it’s not good for a blustery day, but it’s going to be the hottest place in town to check out those NYE fireworks. Look out for it! Once it’s had its Sydney run the McKenna Air Bar will visit Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast.

Image source: Newscom

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Cocktail Experiences at Zeta Bar

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:05:12 +0000

I always thought sipping cocktails with the girls on a Friday night was pretty indulgent. But at Zeta Bar, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. This popular Sydney watering hole will transport you to a New York bar, a Hawaiian beach, a bustling Havana street, or a Carribbean hotspot with their cocktail experiences.

Guests are blindfolded, fitting with headphones, and sprayed with scented mists while they enjoy their favourite drink. The sensory journeys have been compared to spa treatments, although I can’t remember enjoying alcohol in any day spa!

“We are trying to sell it as an experience,” said Zeta’s consultant mixologist Grant Collins.

“By using your other senses you heighten your culinary experience, and if you can do it with food then you can do it with drink, but it has to be really obvious,” he added.

You can enjoy martinis while listening to Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack buddies or have a daiquiri while listening to some pounding Latino rhythms.

But my pick is the Tiki experience. How could you resist a pina colada served in a hollowed pineapple, the scent of coconut oil, and the gentle sounds of Polynesian music?

I thought cocktails couldn’t get any better, but I think I’ve changed my mind!

Trading hours: 5 pm til late Mondays to Saturdays
Location: Level 4, Hilton Hotel
Address: 488 George Street, Sydney
Public transport: Catch a #412, #413, #431-#438, #L38, #440, #L40, or #470 bus
Parking: Paid parking is available on site
Cost: Cocktail experiences cost $25
Website: http://www.zetabar.com.au/

Image source: Adyna @ Stock.xchng

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Degustation Dinner at the Circus

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:35:53 +0000

El’Circo is an exciting Sydney restaurant which puts the E in entertainment. Every Sunday night guests can enjoy a lavish nine-course menu with a side order of circus acts.

This exotic event is held inside Sydney’s Slide bar and nightclub. The club’s general manager Marc Kuzma wanted to create a European style venue that was more than a bar or a nightclub. He wanted his patrons to experience a whole new level of entertainment. And I think he’s succeeded!

El’Circo has been described as “the darker side of Cirque Du Soleil,” and this description seems quite apt. Verushka is your MC, a charming host who combines comedy and cabaret in her uniquely kooky way.

Dishes like Moroccan lamb pie, double baked three cheese soufflé, and virtual truffled mushroom risotto are to die for, and will go down a little easier with the exciting array of acts.

For a unique night out, El’Circo is not to be missed.

Trading hours: Open for dinner on Sundays
Location: Slide Lounge
Address: 41 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Public transport: Several buses travel down Oxford Street, including the #380 bus between Circular Quay and Bondi Beach and the #378 bus between Railway Square and Bronte.
Parking: Limited metered street parking is available in the nearby side streets
Cost: $90 per person
Website: http://www.slide.com.au

Image source: Jack Horst @ Stock.xchng

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Spooky Sing-a-Long Sydney Tour

Sat, 10 May 2008 02:03:45 +0000

Tours have gotten a bad rap in the past. Most of us would prefer to explore on our own, with the freedom to skip the boring bits and stay as long as we like in the places we’re interested in. And who wants to sit on a bus with a bunch of fuddy-duddies anyway?

But I’ve found a tour that might just change your mind. Ghost tours are a dime a dozen, but a karaoke ghost tour? Now that’s something special.

The night tour takes you to Sydney’s spookiest sites. Your ghostess hostess with the mostest will regale you with ghastly stories of the local eerie residents and strage Sydney phenomena. You’ll also make a pitstop at the cellars of a local haunted hotel.

After a good fright jump back on the bus where DJ SpookeOke will let you sing the rest of the night away. Apparently the track list includes plenty of ghost music, whatever that is. Perhaps the songs of those one hit wonders we’ve never heard from again?

This is one tour I’m dying to take!

Dates: By arrangement. Call Allan the Hearse Whisperer on (02) 9943 0167 to book
Times: Tours depart at 7 pm and finish at 10 pm
Location: Leaves from Hero of Waterloo Hotel
Address: Leaves from Corner of Lower Fort and Windmill Streets, The Rocks
Public transport: The hotel is a short walk from Circular Quay train station
Parking: Street parking is available
Cost: $42 per head, including a complimentary drink
Website: http://www.destinytours.com.au/karaoke.htm

Image source: Edwin PP @ Stock.xchng

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A Whole World of Karaoke

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:47:52 +0000

I have a confession to make. I really love to sing. For most people that wouldn’t be anything to be guilty about, but you haven’t heard me sing. It’s terrible. It’s something I do in the company of very close friends, the kind of people who will still talk to me after they hear my voice!

So you’re not likely to see me taking the mic at your local pub karaoke night, but you might see me slinking in the doors of Karaoke World.

This is the venue for closet karaoke kings and queens like me. You and your friends hire a private room where you’re given a TV, some mics, and all the tunes you want to croon. I’m assured all the walls are soundproof, so you never have to worry about anyone else hearing how terrible you really are!

The Karaoke World system has more than 40, 000 songs in English, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian, and Korean, so there’s bound to be something to suit you.

If you’re feeling peckish you can order room service. Karaoke World is equipped with a fully licensed bar and a great fast food menu with pizza, nachos, and hot dogs.

Karaoke World is a great venue for birthday parties, bucks night, hens night, or a get-together with your closest mates.

Trading hours: Open daily from 1 pm til late
Location: Karaoke World
Address: 185 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
Public transport: Catch a train to St James train station. It is a short walk away from Elizabeth Street
Parking: There is a parking station on Elizabeth Street
Cost: Rooms start from $24 per hour
Website: http://www.karaokeworld.com.au/

Image source: Nevit Dilmen @ Stock.xchng

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Close Encounters of the Market Kind

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 04:10:20 +0000

I must admit, I always thought once you’d seen one market you’d seen them all. There are only so many times you can look at hippies selling incense, old ladies hocking folk-art covered woodwork, and folks getting rid of their random junk. So it’s rare that I feel like talking about markets, because there’s not often much to say. Until now.

Penrith is bucking the trend with their Alien Love Twilight Markets, a celebration of extraterrestrials and romance. Now that’s different! The markets will be full of alien and love-themed goodies, so if you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day gift for the nerd in your life this could be the place.

There’ll also be a costume contest, alien face painting, and an alien kissing booth. I have no idea where they found the alien, or how they convinced them to kiss earthlings.

A singing competition should also be good fun. Aspiring Australian Idols can belt out tunes about love (easy enough) or aliens (think Bowie’s “Life on Mars” or “UFO” by Sneaky Sound System).

There’s plenty of tucker if you get hungry, with vegan, wheat-free, and meat lovers food stalls. That should keep everyone happy!

Date: Saturday 9 February
Time: 5 pm to 10 pm
Location: Penrith Regional Gallery
Address: 86 River Road, Emu Plains
Public transport: Catch a train to Emu Plains station, then walk 300 m to Great Western Highway bus stop (near Billington Place). Take the #689 bus to Nepean Street and walk 500 m to gallery
Parking: Street parking available
Cost: Free
Website: http://www.penrithregionalgallery.org

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Dogs Rule at Café Bones

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:10:54 +0000

Dog enthusiasts Mary-Anne Danaher and Lynne Blundell believe dogs deserve the same kind of pampering that their human owners do. So in 2000 they created Café Bones, the world’s first dog-friendly café.

Café Bones offers special treats for dogs, and their owners. You’ll enjoy enjoy the tasty breakfast menu, toasted sandwiches, pies, sausage rolls, cakes, and blackboard specials. For dogs, there’s the café’s specials, “Pupaccinos” and “Bone Bix.”

Bone Bix are home-baked liver treats that dogs just love. They can be washed down with a Pupaccino, a stock-based drink topped with herbs and froth.

As if that wasn’t decadent enough, Café Bones caters for doggy birthday parties too. The café will make your dog and his friends a special Birthday Bone Cake to share. They’re made from mince and wholemeal flour, and topped with cream cheese icing and sprinkles. It almost sounds good enough to eat!

While you’re catching up with your human friends, your pooch can enjoy some exercise at the off-leash dog park.

Café Bones is open from 4-7 pm from Tuesday to Friday and 9 am to 7 pm on weekends.

Café Bones
Hawthorne Park Canal Reserve
Canal Road
Leichhardt

Image source: Michell Botetano @Stock.xchng

Post from: The Sydney Traveler