BWB Sydney - The Sojourn of SJohn

[Horza]

Great idea Bee, this is especially vital in Christmas party season.

[delete this account pls]

Bee, that'd be awesome, thanks a lot, you've already been a great help.

[stormborne]

very belatedly agreeing with the fact that the city is going to be a nightmare...have been out most nights this week and its very very busy..

throwing out a few extra options:

1 - have drinks at opera bar and then head out of the city to one of the inner burbs (newtown, darlinghurst, surry hills) for a later dinner at a restuarant, then hopefully to a pub thereafter where it might have cooled down

2- (only because i am like a dog with a bone about this)drinks at opera bar, everyone gets a 730 ferry across to manly, dinner/drinks at the 9ft skiff club or the steyne and can traverse the many small bars and take a walk along the beach thereafter. back into the city on the last ferry (i think its 1am) - for those who think they cant go without a drink for that long i think that you can actually get a beer on the ferry. revelries continue on in the city thereafter

3- try these for size: The Beresford (http://www.theberesford.com.au/), the winery (http://www.thewinerybygazebo.com.au/), slip in garden bar (http://www.merivale.com/#/slipinn/gardenbar), zanzibar rooftop bar (http://www.zanzibarnewtown.com.au/), the golden barley hotel (http://www.goldenbarleyhotel.com.au/index.php?id=9), the glenmore (http://esvc000109.wic048u.server-web.com/1_home/), the treehouse (http://thetreehousehotel.com.au/)

i do very much the like the lord nelson but unfortunately think it is way too small...

B- let me know if you'd like some help calling places :)

[BeeTrix]

very belatedly agreeing with the fact that the city is going to be a nightmare...have been out most nights this week and its very very busy...

B- let me know if you'd like some help calling places :)

I agree and think it will be more the case of beggars can't be choosers, rather than cherry picking the ideal venue.

Stormy - if you could just ring around to a few of the places you mentioned, we can compile a list of viable options.

[delete this account pls]

Heh, I'm very familiar with the Golden Barley, spent many a night there since two of my closest friends live right across the road. Great beer garden, that's for sure.

Lets see how the ring around goes first, and if it looks like we have problems in the city, we can look a bit further afield.

ETA; All those places stormborne linked look pretty good to me, so if we do go that route, state your preference people. Or it might be as Bee said, we'll just go wherever we can get a table.

[BeeTrix]

Ok so a few places are not taking bookings which probably works in our favour. However, they all recommend being there from 5pm to guarantee a table for a group this size. The venues that have said this are: The Tilbury, Australian Heritage Hotel & Bungalow 8 (yes another to add to the mix http://www.bungalow8sydney.com).

We can cross The Local off the list as that is fully booked.

Also, seeing as we're already planning to be at the Opera Bar, was there a reason we couldn't just stay there?

Edited to add: I'm also going to throw one more option into the ring and that is to have dinner at http://www.dintaifungaustralia.com.au/ - reknowned dumpling chain. It doesn't take bookings but they are very efficient and so tables tend to move quite quickly. Also, there is a waiting area where drinks can be consumed whilst people wait for a table.

[stormborne]

hey

beresford - could only have done for 10 people,so thats out.

the winery - booked out.

the glenmore - they only allow for 1/2 the place to be booked out for dec, that half is already taken. everyone else has to wing it

treehouse - cant take any more large bookings

called the guys at Grandma's (http://www.grandmasbarsydney.com.au/) - they dont take reservations after 430 but as they only serve drinks an nibbles the guy said if we arrived before 10 we might be ok. they dont have the biggest beer selection, but lots of cocktails

emailed The Sugare Mill - http://www.sugarmill.com.au/ - still waiting.

i managed to get a "yes" from The Dip and have placed a tentative booking. It is in Kings Cross though..let em kow what you think:http://thedip.com.au/

its very kitch...and im not sure how nutricious the food is

I have will give the commons (http://thecommons.com.au/) a go tomorrow as they are shut.

i cant get onto the Slipp Inn website if someone else wants to try.

think we;ll just have to cop this one on the chin folks.

or we could also try darling harbour if we get desperate. take a water taxi from the opera house. with so many of us that should be a relatively cheap option.

[stormborne]

oh hahah sorry B i missed your post re-darling. Bungalow8 could be an option - or Helm Bar for cheaper drinks to kick off. There's always the casino across the road if we get desperate...just dont anyone wear sneakers.

[stormborne]

The Sugar Mill (http://www.sugarmill.com.au/ ) can accommodate us all at 8pm - let me know what you think!

So can The Dip at 8pm as previously mentioned - http://thedip.com.au/

[BeeTrix]

Am happy to go with anything - was just avoiding DH in general because it will be extremely noisy - but again, beggars etc.

As for The Dip - well, "pulled pork" and "brioche bun" are always music to my ears, but I think best to let Brady & Co decide.

[delete this account pls]

I'm fine with staying at the Opera Bar if that seems the easiest thing to do (and assuming the weather is good, of course). Me and a few others can get there earlyish to lock down a good table.

But if that isnt an option, the Dip and the Sugarmill both look pretty good to me, considering we can book either. Since time is pressing, if noone objects soon, I say we go ahead and book one? Sugarmill at 8 sounds good to me!

ETA; Thanks again Bee and Stormborne, you ladies are the bestest.

[stormborne]

i've booked both, i thought there was no point bumming around. so whatever you guys prefer and i will cancel the others.

i think if i have it right the sugar mill is a train and a longer walk

the dip should just be train and a small walk

fyi the opera bar now has places like charlie and co. whilst i dont really care for their burgers alot of other people seem to really like them. i really do suggest either way the earlier the better...i can probably be there from around 5ish...maybe 515 but we will need lots of people to secure a spot for the lot o'us

now lets just wait and see with this weather....(grumble grumble)

[The Winged Shadow]

I can be around Opera Bar around 4.30-ish. So grabbing a few table, with Brady and whoever can get there early, shouldn't be too big of an issue i'd think. The only problem is that the weather forecast suggests slight rain on Friday, so the Sugar Mill sounds like the safer option. But its Sydney, i wouldn't be surprised if we get by a heatwave that day :P.

I wouldn't mind staying at the Opera Bar though. The view is amazing after dark, so is the ferry ride for that matter.

[Ski the Swift]

So trying to meet at 5 ish at Opera bar yeah? I need to know times so I can try and get off work earlier.

[delete this account pls]

Yep Ski. Lets say there'll be some of us at the Opera bar from 4:30 or so. SJohn will be with me, and Pax might be able to rock up early too, I'm not sure. Then around 7:30 or so we make the move to the Dip or the Sugarmill (either one is good with me so if anyone has a preference)

Also PMs are working again if anyone wants to PM me their number.

[BeeTrix]

I'm owed some time-in-lieu so was planning to clock off work at 4pm. So I can help mind some seats as well.

And yes, Sydney weather has been inclement to say the least. Out-of-towners - be prepared and bring a jacket - it got down to 14 degrees on Sunday at Circular Quay!

[sh_wulff]

WE could ask SKi and SJohn for preferences too. I will definitely have the offspring in tow- so that will cramp my style considerably.

The Bondi Golf club has- good views/ decent grub and is in Bondi- so touristy area but not too touristy- every one heads to here from OS-

I am willing to go with flow however

[Ski the Swift]

Sorry sh_wulff, Bondi doesn't really sound like a good night out for our last night in town. Plus I don't need to see touristy things. I'm all for the Stormy/Mel idea.

[Neal]

Meeting at Opera bar and then heading elsewhere (or staying, I'm easy) sounds good. I've also changed my flight down so I'll be in sydney around 2pm and will be able to meet up early at Opera bar to secure a good spot.

Oh and if anyone is keen to hit up Din Tai Fung on saturday let me know, the dumplings are so good.

[S John]

OK, quick update on my end. Made it to Australia today. I'm in Cairns for a few days, which, from what I've seen so far.... is going to result in a few hangovers for me.

As far as bars go, I completely bow to the superior knowledge of the locals. I'll only say that my personal preference is to be able to chat, but also, I do have an interest in keeping things centrally located if possible. If the whole thing is at one bar, that is perfectly alright with me. Its not so much about the ambiance its about meeting new people and having a good time. I wouldn't care if we were in someone's garage as long as the beer and chatter is flowing. So one bars, two bars, whatever... its all good on my end, guys.

In addition, I'd like to thank all of you that have put in effort in putting everything together. I truly appreciate it and I'm looking forward to meeting the Aussie crew..