A bunch of Asians walked into the Casino. Haha. But this time its Marquee Nightclub that these younger Asians are heading to. So rather than losing money at the Sic Bo or Roulette tables, these guys invest their money into entry fees and expensive drinks. I don’t want to miss out, so let’s check it out!
OPM Fridays @ Marquee Nightclub Sydney (The Star)
This event is now Every Friday night. It used to be on a Thursday.
Essentials:
Opening Hours:
10:30PM – 4AM
Address:
80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont. It’s within the Star (Casino) Entertainment Complex. Walk in through the main entrance on the Eastern side, and the entrance to Marquee is immediately to your right.
Venue Website: http://www.star.com.au
Event Website:
http://www.fb.com/OPMSydney
http://www.urbanagent.com.au
Promoters: Urban Agent
Occurrence: Every Friday since early 2014, and previously ran on irregular Thursdays from mid-2012
Dress Code / Door Policy: Casual clothing is allowed tonight, but don’t risk it despite the dress code being relaxed significantly since the grand opening of Marquee Nightclub. Most guys are wearing collared shirts at minimum, while girls are pretty glammed up.
Entry Fee / Cover Charge: $25 at the door, but a friend was asked to pay $30. The highest cover charge price you’ll pay for a Friday night.
Table / Bottle Service: Starting at $1,600+ for a 10 person table including entry and the equivalent price for drinks. Higher packages can reach $3,000+ . Welcome to Australia
Guestlist: See event website or contact your local promoter
Cloak Room: $5 per item. The cloak room would be right at the entrance to the club after you go up the escalators
Tonight:
Assessment Time: 11:00PM – 4:00AM
Outside Line: Arriving at 11:00AM and expecting long lines, we were surprised to see a line of about 10 people. It went by quite fast. It could have been because all the other Asians were at the Jay Chou concert tonight On previous nights I’ve spent from 1 hour and another time, 3 (three) hours lining up in the pre-paid line from 11:00PM to finally get in at 2:00AM due to capacity issues. So be aware when buying pre-paid, as general lines (who pay more) get faster access.
There was also a guestlist line, a general line (for people who just rocked up), and also a VIP Bottle Servce entry line. Four lines in total! The line roping is almost as big as the club.
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Since Kinki @ City Hotel stopped, two events have popped up. Fabric, and tonight’s review – Taboo. We were at a booze cruise earlier, a bit tired but still keen to club. Lets check it out!
Taboo @ Verandah Bar, Sydney
Taboo used to run, years ago, down beneath Mr B’s hotel, then I think it popped up at Equilibrium / World Square Pub, before going into hiding again. It’s finally made a return to Verandah Bar.
DJ booth (yes that’s a purse)
Essentials:
Opening Hours:
9:30AM – 4:00AM (?)
Address:
55-65 Elizabeth St
Entry is only available from Elizabeth St for the club event.
Venue Website:
Event Website:
Promoters:
Kick On Entertainment, Got Game Entertainment, X, As One Ent, B Diamond
Occurrence:
Tonight is the public grand opening. There was a VIP only soft launch the previous week. The event aims to run every Saturday from March 2014
Dress Code / Door Policy:
“Strict Dress Code Applies” is encouraged. I got in with black pants, shoes, and a daggy striped jumper. My female friends wore simple black dresses. One wore flats, other heels.
Entry Fee / Cover Charge:
Paid $25 at the door full entry.
$20 on guestlist. Unknown what time the guestlist expires, but typically a guestlist will end at 11:30PM or Midnight.
Passouts/Lockout:
1:30AM Lockout applies tonight to this venue
Guestlist:
info@taboosaturdays.com.au
Table / Bottle Service
Available on enquiry. Prices unknown.
Cloak Room:
$5 Cloak per item, $2 for recheck
Continue reading »
It’s a grand opening, some friends were going and I had some time – so let’s check it out!
#Fabric Saturdays @ Martin Place Bar
It appears the promoters Syndicate Events and their friends have decided to end the old Kinki event and go with two separate events next door to each other. Tonight let’s suss out the offering at Martin Place Bar – #Fabric (One assumes the hashtag is silent)
2:15 // Main Room
Essentials:
Opening Hours:
10:00PM – 3:00AM(?) unconfirmed
Address:
51 Martin Place
Venue Website:
http://www.martinplacebar.com.au
Event Website:
http://www.fb.com/ClubFabric
Promoters:
Syndicate Events, Colab
Occurrence:
Every Saturday since March 2014
Dress Code / Door Policy:
There is no longer a dress code recommended or enforced tonight as per previous events here. Half the crowd was casual and the other half, smart casual. I got in with just a t-shirt, pants and shoes. My friend Marty got in wearing his hat. It would probably be too much to ask patrons to dance to EDM in a business shirt. Or is it?
Entry Fee / Cover Charge:
$20 Full cover charge, and $15 for guestlist entry! Wow, no longer $25 entry? $20 is back on par with other ‘premium clubs’ (barring Ivy/Marquee) but these guys were previously charging $25 for other events. Perhaps people are getting tired of clubbing, or perhaps there is lots and lots of competition. Perhaps they make all the money with bottle service.Perhaps paying $20 for a small venue like Martin Place Bar is more appropriate.
It’s probably a mix of these factors and, in the end, the average tight ass punter wins.
Passouts/Lockout:
Passouts/Stamps to re-enter are fine. However 1:30AM lockout laws apply to this venue.
Guestlist:
Visit the Facebook page for details.
Cloak Room:
$5 for checking in your item
$2 for recheck.
Continue reading »
After attending Future Music Festival, it was time to continue the party. We wanted to keep it cheap, so let’s check out the ‘new cheers’, now known as 80 Proof. Here we go!
80 Proof Sydney Punter
Saturdays @ 80 Proof
Cheers Bar underground is traditionally, the last resort bar of many a drunken clubber in the city. With previously free entry, any unpleasant or tight ass person was allowed in. The place has traditionally smelt like urine and the music playback was poorly played. It was pretty much somebody’s iPod being played on show. It has since switched management and has had a makeover, including the renaming of its underground club from Cheers to 80 Proof.
Essentials:
Opening Hours: (DJ Hours)
10PM – 5AM
Address:
561 George St, Sydney (beneath Cheers Bar)
Venue Website:
http://www.eightyproof.com.au/nightclub.html
https://www.facebook.com/80ProofSydney
Promoters:
Self promoted
Occurrence:
Every weekend since May 2013
Dress Code / Door Policy:
Fairly relaxed dress code. I got in with a plan t-shirt and disgusting denim vest, black pants and black indoor soccer shoes. Everyone else was a mix of smart casual and casual.
Entry Fee / Cover Charge:
$10 Full price entry. Keep an eye on the Facebook page for the guestlist details to get $5 off.
Passouts:
No passouts after 1:30AM (by law)
Guestlist:
Refer to the Facebook page for guestlisted events.
Cloak Room:
There is a cloak room beside the bar, in the far left corner. Pricing is unknown.
Tonight:
Assessment Time:
12:15 AM – 2:00AM
Outside Line:
No real line outside
Inside:Walk down the stairs to enter the right-rear of the club. To your left is the single bar and square sized dance floor area holding 80-100 people. At the far front is the new DJ booth. On the walls remain various chairs, stools, lounges, and carpeted areas. It’s a small club.
Bar Prices / Line:
Didn’t drink tonight, but the order wait was no longer than 2 people
Bathroom Facilities:
Relatively clean. No urine smell. Big improvement since the Cheers days.
DJs: This was the biggest change the venue needed – an actual DJ playing and mixing up songs, instead of some boring playlist which would play songs in their entirety with matching video clips glued around the walls. It’s worked well, with the crowd now more huddled to the front where the focus is, rather than the middle of the dance floor where you could be judged for your lack of dancing skills. DJs playing tonight were DJ Nick Kim. Other resident DJs include DJ Dutto, WE R DNA, DJ Day and David X.
Music Style:
Primarily EDM during my time here, with some Top 40 also. No complaints here. The crowd didn’t mind either and danced along.
Continue reading »
A birthday tonight, its time to revisit this place!
Kin.Ki @ City Hotel (updated 2014)
(Review combines visits on 20/5/2012 and 19/2/2014)
About: Coming from the same promoters who do the “Perfect” @ Pontoon / “Flow Fridays” event, the name “Kin.Ki” is based on its location on King St. Regardless, word was that this place was getting popular, so here we go!
Assessment Times: 12:10AM – 3:30AM (20th May 2013), 11:25PM-2:30AM (19th Jan 2014)
Opening Hours: 10:00PM – 3:30AM (on expected busy nights it may extend to 4:00AM-5:00AM)
Lockout: Unknown
Address: 347 Kent St (Corner of Kent and King St)
Venue Website: http://www.cityhotel.com.au
Event Website: http://www.facebook.com/Kinki.Saturdays
Promoter Website: http://www.syndicateevents.com.au
Occurrence: Every Saturday night since February 2012
Outside Line: We arrived a bit late, but lucky for us the line is barely there, and we got in within 5 minutes. (We did try coming here on an Easter Weekend, and the line was about 2 hours long and we gave up – so be careful. ) It was quite cold tonight and I was pretty happy to actually pay this amount, just so I could get out of the cold. If you were on the guestlist, you had to actually wait a bit longer (to time you out of discount entry).
Dress Code / Door Policy: Guys are expected to wear at least collared shirts and jeans/pants to fit in. Girls are expected to look “chick”. i.e. dress your best. Most are dressed well. No hats, thongs, singlets, runners or dirty shoes allowed. Clean sneakers appear to be okay. I had jeans / sneakers / skinny tie / collared shirt.
Entry Fee / Cover Charge: Guestlist entry $20 before midnight. I paid $25 full entry. For a special guest appearance night (e.g Mario) it is $30.
Guestlist: Send them to your preferred promoter (not me) or kinki.saturdays@gmail.com ,
Inside: Walk inside to the atrium area where there is a second room up the stairs on your left. Seating and the main bar are right in front of you and serves as the non-smoking chill out area, while the DJ and dancefloor are on the other side of the bar. The bar is of circular configuration against the right wall. It takes up about half the width of the floor space.
The dancefloor itself is just a big square floor with lounges along the walls with the DJ booth in front. Overall it is of medium size, but compared to other “Asian” oriented events, the floor relatively larger, and can enough to hold about 150 people or so. Continue onto the rear outdoor smoking area where there are numerous more tables, couches and a second mini bar on the outside serving limited variety of shots.
Front of the dancefloor
Continue reading »
I’ve got an invite to new club opening at the ATT4FUN complex – It’s called Hive Club. I’ve missed the grand opening night but I’m here for the Invite Only event before public launch. Let’s check it out!
Hive mirrors. Taking it too far
Fridays @ Hive Club, Taipei, Taiwan.
Hive club has been open since December 2013
Essentials:
Opening Hours:
10:00PM – 4:00AM
Address:
1st Floor, ATT4FUN complex, at the Taipei 101 building.
Parking:
Best to taxi it here. Or MRT and walk from Taipei 101 station.
Website:
https://www.facebook.com/hiveclubtaipei
Promoters:
Same promoters / company as of Myst nightclub.
Occurrence:
Open since December 2013, Hive club is open Tuesday nights to Sunday nights. Take that Monday off to recover.
Dress Code / Door Policy:
During weekdays Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays and Sundays it is quite easy-going and lax
Fridays, Saturdays it is recommended for both ladies and gentlemen to wear at minimum smart casual.
Entry Fee / Cover Charge:
Gentlemen if you enter the premises before 23:00PM, the prices are 400NTD (Fri/Sat is 500NTD). Otherwise expect to pay a bit more after 23:00PM
Ladies get free entry before 23:00PM.
Passouts:
Passouts allowed, you get a stamp.
Guestlist:
+886-911-439-897 for Table reservation
+886-2-7737-9990 for venue reservation
Cloak Room:
No cloak room services
Bottle Service / Table Service:
In taipei you usually order a table and pay for some bottles, but here these guys offer “All You Can Drink Tables”. The cost being $2000NTD/8 people, $2500/12 people, $3000N TD/15 people. ). This includes entry to the club.
There are also tables which do not offer all you can drink, but why are you even here? ($10,000 NTD/10 people)
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A friend and I have flown into Singapore just to attend the ZoukOut festival this weekend. It’s the biggest turnout out of its 13 year history with 41,000 people attendence and a relatively strong line up. Also with the cancellation of Alesso for the Stereosonic Australian Music Festival shows, it would be a great opportunity to see him. So let’s put on some onesies and see how it is!
ZoukOut Music Festival 2013 @ Silosa Beach, Sentosa Island, Singapore
ZoukOut Festival
Essentials:
Opening Hours:
Friday: 8PM? – 5AM
Saturday: 8PM? – 8AM
The times suit the climate of Singapore, as it often rains during the daytime, while at night there is a lesser chance of rain occurring. Both nights the weather at night turned out clear.
Address:
It’s held on Silosa Beach, Sentosa Island
Parking:
Pretty much everyone caught a taxi here or caught a shuttle bus from a nearby MRT station. If you were lucky you could have booked a hotel on Sentosa.
Venue Website:
http://www.sentosa.com.sg
Event Website:
http://www.zoukout.com
Promoters:
http://www.zoukclub.com
Occurrence:
Every year since 2000
Dress Code / Door Policy:
Pretty much anything is allowed, bar being nude. A guy even brought in a blow up doll without any troubles. I wore my bumblebee onesie, which turned out to be one of the worst decisions made in a humid place such as Singapore.
Beach pre drinks
Entry Fee / Cover Charge:
Two Day Festival Pass: $168 SGD
Day 1 Happy Hour (entry before 10PM): $88
Day 1 Advance [1st release]: $98
Day 1 Standard [2nd release]: $108
Day 1 Tickets at the event: $118
Day 2 Happy Hour (entry before 10PM): $98
Day 2 Advance [1st release]: $108
Day 2 Standard [2nd release]: $118
Day 2 Tickets at the event: $128
Each day is assigned a separate wristband. My friend got caught out and we assumed the wristband applied for both days (as per Stereosonic). He didn’t bring his ticket for Day 2 and the guys at the counter would not accept a wristband and online receipt as official acceptance of payment – he had to sit out Day 2.
Passouts:
So long as you had a wristband you were able to go in and out of the beach as you please.
Cloak Room:
Yes. $20 SGD
Tonight:
Outside Line:
Day 1: Quite fast
Day 2: Quite slow. Loads more people attended Day 2 and a lot of cutting the line was involved.
Inside:
Entrance is on the East Side of Silosa beach. Various bars and stalls are scattered around the beach. The Star Stage is the first big stage on the right, while the Main Stage is on the West Side of the beach. There are other smaller areas with swimming pools and ‘VIP’ areas to hang out which have views of the stages. The best VIP area would probably be the Citibank area, with well a lit decor and front Pool, while being near the Main Stage on the Western side.
Strawberry
Bar Prices / Line:
The wait was about 10-15 minutes for a drink on average. This year saw the introduction of the pre-paid card system for drinks, which is becoming the standard for most music festivals.
$10 for all Mixed Vodkas, Gins, Bourbons, Whiskeys [Mixed with Green Tea, Coke, Sprite or Soda]
$5 for Redbull, Soft Drinks, Green Tea.
Tip: As in most Asian countries, the cheapies (including myself) pretty much got their pre-drinks from 7-Eleven and drank outside on the beach before going in. There was only one 7-Eleven on the way to Silosa beach and it was packed. The 7-Eleven employees were just dishing out the alcohol and beers, while people queued for drinks.
DJs: (Internationals listed here, but there were also many other local acts)
Day 1: 12th Planet (US), Benga (UK), Afrojack (NED), Example & DJ Wire (UK), Ferry Corsten (NED), Krewella (US), NERVO (AUS) ,Otto Knows (SWE)
Day 2: Teal / Nitelist Music (WOMB, TOKYO), Alesso (SWE), Danny Avila (SPA), Dash Berlin (NED), Kölsch (DEN), Lee Foss & Anabel Englund (US), Martin Solveig (FRA), Seth Troxler (US), Solomun (GER), Zedd (GER), Cyberjapan Dancers (JPN)
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