Sydney So Far...Nightlife

It was only as I was putting on the nicest dress I own (whilst backpacking) for the first time, that I realised I’d not been on a proper night out since being away. I’ve been out for cocktails and drinks with friends as well as the odd crazy night in Thailand but those nights only called for beachwear or smart casual. I’ve definitely not had a night out where I can truly dress up and step out of my scraggy backpacker mode and into something slightly more alluring.

Mel felt the same way. Although Mel has a nicer wardrobe and always looks dressier than me, she too hadn’t been on a proper night out in a long time. Just to be clear, a proper night out means dancing. I’ve missed dancing so much. I’m always singing and dancing around like a loon at home but since travelling I’ve not really had the space. The whole not being able to swing a cat around the room saying usually springs to mind with the dorms I stay in. It doesn't tend to be an issue as I see my accommodation as a place to rest rather than a home. But the little things like dancing around when nobody’s watching and singing at the top of my voice are pastimes I rarely get to revel in. So, naturally, I sprung at the chance to have a night out in the city. Let’s see what Sydney has to offer in the entertainment department.

Mel and I spent almost an eternity getting ready. This was partially due to deciding what to wear (more Mel than me as I only have a choice of around two things to wear on a night out!) and my lesson in make-up. I’m a bit apprehensive around make-up. I tend to just not bother or don a little tinted moisturiser and bronzer to brighten my complexion. Mel looked at me as if I’d just said I never brush my teeth. It was makeover time! As we have completely different skin tones, I got away with just wearing my tinted moisturiser and bronzer on my face. Anything heavier and I’d feel like Lily Savage. Mel did my eyes and eyebrows…eyebrows!?! Plucking is as far as I go with eyebrows and even then, sometimes I forget and do a horrified double-take in the mirror one day when I realise my right and left eyebrow are racing each other to the middle.

We had a practise run first which seemed like a good idea at the time. The walk to the shower room was rather funny seen as I had different shades of eye-shadow on each eye as well as one pencilled in eyebrow. Halloween's been and gone!

Once made over, I looked in the mirror and wasn’t really sure what to think. Of course, as friends, all I heard were compliments, but they’re hardly going to turn round and say I look a mess.

I feel like a lady!

Me and Mel are ready to hit the dance floor.

Sidenote: In Sydney, I’ve noticed that when I dress up a little bit and put on a touch of make-up I get shocking reactions. With remarks like, “I hardly recognised you,” “You look completely different,” or just general unnerving stares. It took one guy a few moments to register that it was me when I sat down next to him! I don’t get it. I never get that kind of reaction back home nor did I in any other country on my travels! Maybe I look so bad as a backpacker that when I do tidy myself up I look less like a yeti and more like a human (which is not an exaggeration given the fact that my hair has a mind of its own!). It is a sort of back-handed compliment that I’m not sure how to digest.

Mel, Steff and I joined Dan (AKA Welshie) and Joey (Mel and Steff's former dorm room mate) and descended into Central Sydney via bus. We’d already started the night with drinks. For some reason I thought I liked vodka and coke but it turns out I really didn’t. My system was still rejecting alcohol since Thailand and my stomach started to cramp a little. I ignored the pangs and continued the night as if it was any other. Joey was on energy drinks and was bouncing! I was thankful that he was there as I didn't get on too well with Dan and Mel and Steff will have their coupley-moments so it was refreshing to have someone else to talk to.

Sydney looked rather elegant at night with its tall, brightly lit sky scrapers and litter free streets. The people that lined them were dressed to the nines – all perfect hair, slim figures and natural tans. I didn’t feel intimidated this time as I was wearing a dress.

Dan was our guide but he soon shot away after Steff bitch-slapped his crotch. Apparently that’s a typical action in Lancaster, almost a term of endearment amongst his friends. Dan understandably didn’t get the same feeling and wasn’t best pleased. Steff only retaliated after Dan back-handed his stomach. I’ve already learnt not to play fight with Steff…unless I’m at a safe distance of course. In any other setting, Mel and I would have rolled our eyes in a “Boys will be boys” kind of way, but instead we nagged at Steff to apologise so we can start our night. We came to dance godammit!

It was ok. It wasn’t really a club. It looked more like a hotel lobby converted into a disco area. The DJs were a bit rubbish too. They played the same old set list I could recall song-by-song from uni. Eventually the songs improved and Mel and I had a good boogie. Even Steff got up and busted a move to a couple of songs. When it comes to nights out though, I’m a bit like a child. I need to be kept entertained or I’ll get bored and pout. I wasn’t drunk or even remotely merry so time ticked by a century at a time. The music dipped in and out of brilliant to the utter wank, that I couldn’t keep up. I was like a jack-in-a-box. Of course, when you’re drunk you’d dance to the Teletubbies theme tune if it came on. Being stone cold sober means I have some level of taste.

Family portrait.

Joey love!

Once it reached a time where it wasn’t too early that it would be socially unacceptable to call it a night, we made our way to the bus stop. Dan went off chasing tail as soon as we arrived so we left him to it. I surprisingly knew where I was going and found the bus stop (yes, I’m shocked too!).

Again, if I was drunk I’d be craving cheesy chips and mayonnaise whilst my friends devoured cheesy garlic bread. Instead, I was fine. Mel and Steff on the other hand wanted food and found solace in a nearby pie shop. They had no sweet pies left so I instantly lost interest. I gazed at the other peckish revellers. What goods did they buy to satiate their appetites? There were no greasy kebabs, pizzas or chips. Instead, I saw girls nibbling on muffins and guys eating sandwiches from plastic packaging. What!? This isn’t right? What is wrong with you people? You’re supposed to eat rubbish. You’re drunk, your body craves and it and you probably won’t even remember eating it in the morning. Sheesh. Someone needs to teach them the way.

*****

We decided to give the nightlife another go. It did help that we were given money to go out. Since arriving at the hostel, we’ve been trying to get involved with the events they run there for extra cash. Up until this point, there hadn’t been a gap where other staff members were needed. I was happily carrying out some hermit duties in my room when the manager knocked on the door. He told me about a night out that they had arranged and said he’d give Mel and me the money to go out if we can get as many people as we can to come. Deal!

We only had about half an hour to rally up some people. We did our best.

Not too shabby for a half hour deadline!

The guy next to me is called Max. After this night and for the next 6 weeks or so, Mel and I proceeded to call him Will without correction. Whoops! I even remember joking about his name being short for Maxwell - "like the coffee" - and he had no idea what I was talking about *facepalm* 

It actually turned out to be quite a good night out. We had a good mix of people and the drinks were flowing. We went to a social club for food and a quick drink. We then headed over to Manly which is an area most backpackers base themselves in. There was a new club opening - New Brighton Hotel - which boasted four levels, balcony seating and a rooftop bar (a recurrent theme on my travels). It sounded awesome.

We rocked up thinking we were quite early but the queue for entry was massive. The host from the hostel found friends in the queue and ditched us. In shock, we made our way to the back of the queue. It seemed that queue jumping is quite a popular feat here seen as practically everyone was doing it. Unbelievable. If this was back in the UK, you’d at the very least, receive a verbal beat down. I was ready to start my own but realised I was amongst new friends who didn’t really know me and first impressions are vital.

The queue moved quite swiftly which should have been a sign as to what was going on inside. If it was so spectacular inside, why were so many people leaving at one time. I decided to close a door on my skepticism and see the night through.

Once we were in we headed straight to the bar (of course!). Mel and I had enough money left for one drink but had difficulty in getting served. This opening didn’t seem to be that well organised. There were more bouncers than bar people. Three leather-clad women were left to serve the heaving crowd. Their low-cut tops and tight shorts might sweeten up the fellas but it certainly didn’t make me feel any better for waiting!

In the meantime I tried to take a photo of the bar much to the amusement of Mel who found it ridiculous. I hate being laughed at so gave up. After a few group photos and our long-awaited drink, we decided to head upstairs. We passed one girl gyrating and later dry-humping the side of an open window whilst the guys in the queue outside took photos. The girl and her friends took it in turns posing for the cameras. They weren’t the only posers around. I'd say about 98% of the girls in the place loved themselves. It was cringing. I was surrounded by pouting hair fluffing nutters.

We escaped the egomania and hoped that the other floors had something better to offer. Alas, we had to queue to get to the next floor. Crazy. Suffice it to say, we never made it up to the rooftop bar. I certainly didn’t have the patience! Once we queued to get to the first floor I suggested we keep going and join the next queue. Mel and I joined the queue and looked around for the others. When I turned back again two guys had queue jumped in front of me. Oh no he didn’t! I said a few choice words to these idiots but they were so stupid that nothing I said settled in their tiny little brains. Instead they continued to say the same thing over and over like a child. I can’t even get a decent argument round here, pah!

We ditched the queue and decided to remain on the first floor. Mel and I found a seat and decided to chat for a little bit whilst the others queued for drinks. We joked about the ridiculousness of the people around us. Soon after, Mel decided to go to the bar which left me alone. I couldn’t find the others so made some new friends…

My new giiiiiant friends.

These guys were very friendly and not like the other dicks in the place. How refreshing. I can’t remember their names. Not because I was drunk or anything but because I asked them a few times and couldn’t hear them so just nodded instead to avoid any awkwardness. It’s not like I’d ever see them again!

It seemed the first floor had a dance area. Hooray! We all went over for a dance only to realise there was no DJ, just an empty stand with a CD player. The dance floor was carpeted too which made it a bit awkward to dance on. As I looked around, all the girls were wearing exceedingly high heels. So high that they couldn’t actually dance, just totter about, wiggle their knees and point. In that case, the carpet seemed rather appropriate.

It was on this note that I managed to miss the funniest moment of the night. I had to hear it second hand from Mel but I feel I must still share it with you all. As you may well know already, Sydneysiders do believe that they are the centre of the universe. I have seen it and many others have said the same (Aussies too!). The perfect song came on – LMFAO Sexy And I Know It. This song is a poser's dream! The girls were singing the lyrics and pointing at themselves and the guys were flexing their muscles and doing bicep curls to the beat, “I work out!” What a sight that would have made. I can quite easily picture it in my head. Wow, it’s like these people had the film Zoolander played on repeat from the womb.

Manly was quite a distance from Collaroy so we decided to get the last bus rather than fork out extra for a taxi. This night out did supersede the one in Central Sydney as it was free and there was a better mix of people.

As sad as this may sound, I’ve not had a night out into the city since. I’ve been out for meals and had drinking sessions on the beach but the two nights above were more than enough for me. I’d much prefer to hang out with my friends in a relaxed atmosphere. The one thing I do want to do when I get home is go to as many pubs as possible. I took those for granted as there are so many in York! I’ve not seen any on my travels. There are some places that are called pubs but they’re just themed bars. They’re not the real deal. My advice to anyone that’s going travelling, pub-up while you still can my friends!