As a born and bred Sydneysider, I’m fairly confident about my grasp of coastal life. I know how far from the beach you can go before you have to put clothes on over your swimmers. I can pull a seaside picnic brunch together in minutes. Going barefoot is my birth right. But most of all, I know my way around the nightlife.
Here are my top tips for a successful night out in coastal towns and cities in Oz (which, let’s face it, is the majority of them).
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| Sydney by xiquinhosilva |
Dresscode
Although it might be shorts and thongs (or flip-flops to Brits and Americans!) in the daytime, even in laidback Australia, most nightclubs will require at least trousers or jeans for gents, and dressy shoes for ladies. Pubs tend to be more relaxed, but some will expect a smart casual standard.
If you’re somewhere outside the city, you could find yourself in an RSL – Returned & Services Leagues Clubs – which is somewhere between a large pub, an entertainment venue and a restaurant. In this case, bear in mind that covering your head with a hat or scarf may be deemed inappropriate – bare heads are considered a mark of respect for Australian soldiers.
Dates
You might be trying your hand at the dating scene in Brisbane, meeting singles in Sydney with eHarmony.com.au or winging it somewhere in between, but you should always bear in mind the mood of your venue when selecting a great date location: this will vary greatly depending on the type of venue, the location, the time of day and even the day of the week.
Dining
Most bigger pubs in Australia will serve food – whether hearty pub snacks such as chips and nachos or full-on gastropub meals, such as a lamb shank or gourmet burger, you will usually find something to your taste and budget. Be aware that the kitchen might not be open all day.
If you’re hitting nightclubs, however, it’s more usual to eat beforehand (there are usually plenty of eateries close by to clubbing strips in the major cities) or afterwards (usually this means a kebab).
Drinks
Australian pubs have a culture of “buying a round” – that is, offering to buy a drink for everyone in your group on the understanding that others will do the same, but it’s a not strict expectation. Sometimes it’s entirely impractical (for instance, if you’re clubbing and drinking cocktails or if you’re in a large group of people you don’t know very well).
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| Drinks by Patsapel |
I have yet to try the Sydney night life. I heard that the bars and clubs are very open even on the working week.