The Pavilion Hotel

By Goose

First of all, let me apologies for not getting back to you all sooner, but here is my review of a popular well known establishment in the heart of Sydney; The Pavilion Hotel. A place where in which I have been trying to write about for the past month, due to my interest in it. This has to be the most intriguing place that I have written about or been to in some time. Anyway here goes.

  

Of course I will follow my previous entry and cover the following area’s of interest.

Location

Price

Facilities

Staff

Ratio and Etiquette

Location:

As mentioned earlier, The Pavilion Hotel is located in the heart of the Sydney CBD, about two minutes walk from Town Hall train station. The exact address is 580 George Street, for reference sake, it is located across the road from the cinemas. The website seems to be very informative, with a map provided, contact details and even drink and food pricing. I recommend checking it out, www.pavilionhotel.com.au

Price:

This is the biggest draw card for Pavilion (as it is known widely). On Friday and Saturday nights, there is no entry fee, which to me is always a good thing. Now I am not 100% sure what the go is with this, but currently Pavilion’s drinks on a Friday and Saturday night are valued at an amazing $3.50 from 8pm to 12am. This for Sydney City is absolutely amazing, get in whilst you can and drink up I say.

Facilities:

This is probable the hotels single biggest let down. There really isn’t much of anything to do at Pavilion. There is a small gambling room down stairs with pokie machines. Two small  understaffed bars, two pool tables upstairs and a small dance floor. The toilets are kept in a average state, meaning they aren’t totally destroyed by the grots in the world however they aren’t entirely clean either. One pro that I will acknowledge to Pavilion is that there is plenty of seating area if you look for it, both upstairs and down.

Staff:

I do like to comment about the staff that each venue that I have attended. My reason for this is, to me it can either make or break a night out. Generally no complaints from the staff here. The bouncers on the front door are excellent. They aren’t rude or pushy which is a good thing, helps set the night on the right foot. The bar staff are, well bar staff. They aren’t anything special, pleasant and good at what they do, however Pavilion could do with a couple more... Generally, I can’t say anything bad about the staff. except... the security that walks the floor. These two seem to be rude, and very pushy which annoys the living hell out of me.

Ration and Etiquette:

Ok, I will say it, this is the most interesting club that I have been to in sometime. To the point where I have travelled to this particular venue three times in the past month to make sure that this review is accurate. The first time I came, Pavilion was full of what seemed to be couples, no single ladies or men to be seen, well not as many as an ordinary club. The second time, seemed to be girl central, so many women at least 2:1 ratio. The last time, was dude central, closer to 5:1 women if I had to take a guess.

  Etiquette is interesting to write about as well. I must say as a guy, jeans and a t shirt is the way to go, girls go nuts, whatever you want. As far as one’s actions towards each other, I believe Pavilion is the place to go before you go to the “better” clubs, as such, not many people are heavily intoxicated and generally friendly towards one another, not many altercations. That being said, guys and girls included, a lot of people seem to act like tools when here.

Overall:

I believe the Pavilion to be an entertaining night in Sydney. Music is tolerable, drinks cheap and people bearable. Each time that I have been I have had a good night. Guys and girls, get there, spend half a night and enjoy yourself, you will not regret it. The best thing I can say is get there and then move on around 11pm or 12am. Will I personally go back? For $3.50 drinks dam straight I will. Hell, I’d go back for standard drink prices. The nights that I have spent, have all been worth it. No real complaints.

Les We Forget

Nambucca Heads RSL

by Goose

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Over the long weekend and the week that followed, Goose took a trip outside of Sydney. I felt that I just had to get away from it all. North is the direction that I headed. I decided to spend some time in a small holiday town called Nambucca Heads, which is about seven hours away from Sydney, give or take. Again I will cover the key area’s that will be of use, should you wish to check out the Nambucca Heads Returned Servicemen's League.

Location

Price

Facilities

Staff

Ratio and Etiquette

Location:

As stated above, Nambucca Heads is situated north of Sydney, just shy of Coffs Harbor. The RSL is located, pretty much at the start of the town. The best direction I can give you, is to turn off the Freeway, follow the road around a couple of bends and bam, on the left you have the bowling club and on the right, the RSL. You literally cant miss it. If you need more information regarding the location or anything that follows, you will find the RSL's website very informative. http://www.nambuccarsl.com.au/

Price:

Well, being a small and mostly retiree town, the price is cheap. No entry fee (which if you have followed some of my other entries, is a big plus for me). Cheap drinks and a relatively cheap meal. The RSL has a very clean and reasonably good little Bistro, which seems to draw a decent crowed night after night, one can expect to pay Bistro prices for a meal, the prices range, but a large roast of the day wasn't more then $30. Drinks are extremely cheap. I wish these prices were in Sydney, how I would save. A vodka and coke was less then $5, amazing! 

                                                                                                               Facilities:

As per any RSL you go to, the facilities were pretty standard and not exciting. You have your Bistro, family area, outside smoking area’s, pokie spot, TAB and pool room. Nothing mind blowing or overly eventful. With that in mind, I can say that the entire club was spotless, even the mens room. This would be due to the RSL not having hundreds of patrons entering night after night, so expect a quiet relaxing night.

Staff:

Ok, so like many small towns, the staff aren't what a city slicker is use to. They aren't the most professional and in cases not the most friendly people to come across. However if you are laid back, their way of doing things isn't to bad, just go with it and try not to let it bother you. Remember you are in their territory not your own. It is a different way of life, that someday will catch up to the rest of us.

Ratio and Etiquette:

This is probably going to be the easiest and trickiest entry to do. Ratio is fairly 50-50, if you want to include old couples. You have a lot of families attending and then I guess the regulars. Don't go expecting to party or to pick up some hotties, simply isn't going to happen. Etiquette, easy, no one wants to talk to you or be your friend as you are not a local. Don’t be worried that something might happen, because chances are it won’t. The people are simple and don’t want to talk to outsiders, they didn’t try to intimidate me or make me feel unwelcome, they just didn’t want to socialize with me, which is fine as I didn’t want to socialize with them either. Dress standards, OK I am going to have a bit of a rant here, because I think a lot of us forget what the Returned Servicemen’s League’s are built for. They are there to honor the men and women who have died for Australia, the men and women who still serve this great country. With that in mind, show some respect when you dress to go there please, as I for one, find some of the things that people wear offensive and disrespectful for what they are there for, dress respectfully and act appropriately, please. Alright rant over. The dress code is pretty simple. No board shorts or singlets. A half decent pair of shorts and a decent non offensive shirt, you’re in. Thongs are accepted, as are sandals.

The Bottom Line:

Well as far as partying goes, steer clear. If you are in the area, after a relaxing quiet evening, by all means go and you will get exactly what you are after. The RSL is nice enough and cheap enough to spend a couple of hours to kill time. if I go back to Nambucca, I will go to the RSL again and once again enjoy my evening.

  The bottom line? I give the RSL a 3 out of 5 for obvious reasons. Nothing jumps out at me that makes this particular RSL a great place to spend a lot of time. The staff seem bored and unprofessional which didn’t help me to enjoy my night any more and there was seemingly no entertainment apart from gambling. Yes I will go back, but no I wont be going out of my way to go there.

Les We Forget!