Sydney - Australia 2004 - page 173

hip-hop music Wednesday through Saturday. 11a Oxford St., Paddington. & 02/9360
6759.
Riche Nightclub This hot spot for dancing is popular with the local over-25
club set, as well as with hotel guests wanting to shake their booties to typical
dance music. Open only Friday and Saturday. In the Sydney Hilton, 259 Pitt St. & 02/
9266 2000. Cover varies. Free for hotel guests.
Tantra “Upmarket nightclubbing for the likes of models and beautiful people
from the [affluent] north shore of Sydney,” is how the manager describes this
place. The interior is pseudo-Roman with lots of pillars. The club offers hard-
core club/dance music: “'70s Boogie Wonderland” night Friday, commercial
house music Saturday, and “funky” house music Sunday. Dress code is fashion-
able, with a shirt collar required for men and no sneakers. 169 Oxford St., Dar-
linghurst. & 02/9331 7729.
GAY & LESBIAN CLUBS
Sydney has a huge gay community, so there's a very happening scene. The cen-
ter of it all is Oxford Street, though Newtown has established itself as a major
gay hangout, too. For information on events concerning gays and lesbians pick
up a copy of the Sydney Star Observer or Lesbians on the Loose available at art-
house cinemas, cafes, and stores around Oxford Street. Nightclub entrance
charges generally range from A$10 to A$15 (US$6.50-US$9.75).
Arq This 24-hour club has an amazing light show and the best DJs in town.
A very big place specializing in the latest dance tunes. Daily 24 hours. 16 Flinders
St., Darlinghurst. & 02/9380 8700.
Civic This original Art Deco hotel has been tastefully decked up to accom-
modate three levels of entertainment. There's a theater on the lower first floor
(basement), a saloon bar on the ground floor, and an Australian restaurant with
live jazz upstairs, as well as an outdoor cocktail terrace. Great bands. Corner of Pitt
and Goulburn sts., Sydney & 02/8267 3181.
Gilligan's & Ginger's A cocktail bar on the first floor of The Oxford Hotel,
Gilligan's & Ginger's is home to a thriving social scene and great views of Oxford
Street and the city skyline. DJs spin the latest handbag hits for the drag queens.
134 Oxford St., Darlinghurst, corner of Taylor Sq. & 02/9331 3467.
The Stonewall Hotel An institution with three levels of entertainment and
many special nights. Don't miss Sydney's Diva, Ricca Paris, at the pickup night
Malebox on Wednesdays. Daily noon to 5am. 175 Oxford St., Darlinghurst. & 02/9360
1963. Free entry on most nights.
Taxi Club “Tacky Club,” as it's affectionately known, is another Sydney insti-
tution good for “handbag music”—or old pop and new pop. 40 Flinders St., Dar-
linghurst (near Taylor Sq., Oxford St.). & 02/9331 4256.
THE BAR SCENE
Most of Australia's drinking holes are known as “hotels,” after the tradition of
providing room and board alongside a good drink in the old days. Occasionally
you might hear them referred to as pubs. You tend to find the term bar used in
upscale hotels and trendy establishments. Bars close at various times, generally
from midnight to around 3am. Unless mentioned otherwise, these bars do not
charge a cover.
Bondi Hotel This huge, conglomerate across the road from Bondi Beach
offers pool upstairs, a casual beer garden outside, and a resident DJ Thursday