St Patrick’s Day
After a couple of warm up beers over dinner, I met up with a trio of mates at the Madison Hotel, Surry Hills. With its convenient location right next to central, as well as the attractive offer of $5 pints, the Madison was the perfect place to begin an evening of Guinness-driven partying.
Upon entering the pub I was greeted with a raucous roar from my mates, a green Guinness visor from a passing barmaid, and friendly looks from the exuberant, boozed-up crowd. I had been to the Madison only four days earlier, and enjoyed a game of pool with a friendly bouncer, who recognised me with a nod of his head.
Downstairs is full of revellers drinking in small groups, singing along to the jukebox, or socialising around the two pool tables. A thirty-something English ex-pat named Albert joins our group, and the beer starts to flow. Young trendy (though slightly inebriated) couples walk upstairs to the Hippo Lounge, where cocktails are available at reasonable prices. The Madison has something for everyone, and is open 24 hours to boot.
After a couple of hours, a young man purporting to be Irish joins our group and convinces us to have a skolling competition with him. We decide that this is a signal to move on to the next pub.
Our next stop is the Opera Bar, located a short train ride away at Circular Quay. The view from our table is fantastic – the city skyline is reflected in the harbour, and we look out onto the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. This is one of the best locations for a drink in the whole of Sydney.
We arrive at around 1, and the crowd of young businessman mixed with older opera aficionados is starting to dwindle. Thankfully, we are meeting up with another group of friends so there is still plenty of socialising to be done. We sit back, relax, and enjoy a refreshing schooner of Carlton, having become rather Guinnessed-out at the previous pub.
The slightly expensive (but justified, given the view) beer prices can be reined in with a 15% discount given to FBi members, which means that you can enjoy a decent priced beer at one of the best locations in the world.
The time gets late and various members of our group decide they need to get to their bus stop, so we leave the Opera Bar and split up. After a long walk back through the city, I arrive at my final stop of the night, Dimitri’s Bar and Restaurant.
On the third Friday of every month, this Surry Hills restaurant is home to 45 rpm, a Mod/Ska/R&B/Soul nightclub where the sounds of the 60s come alive. The place is still pumping when I arrive at around 3:30, and as I walk through the doors I head through a time warp.
Skinheads in suits mix with women with funky 60s hairdos. Fishnet stockings are a must-have for the ladies. Psychedelic light displays play over every available surface. The DJ pumps out soul music across the dance floor, where everyone is having a great time dancing.
Before too long though, overzealous council rangers decide that it is time to turn off the music, and everyone heads home. For anyone hankering for the good times of the sixties, keep an eye out next month and head on down.
So after having walked the 4 kms from one end of the CBD to the other, I finally get home and pass out in my bed. Another successful St. Patrick’s day.
March 19, 2006 8:42 pm 
