Hi Stroppygob. I'm a 40 y.o. guy. Do my clubbing in Sydney.
I've never experienced agism on the door. I have felt self-conscious sometimes when I'm the oldest person in a club, but I generally find most people very friendly.
My picks:
1. Sounds On Sunday @ The Greenwood Hotel in North Sydney - 3 music styles in 3 rooms including the outdoor courtyard. From midday to 10pm usually. I like to think of it as a quintessential Sydney experience although Melbourne has its own infrequent Sounds On Sunday now. Great trance and hard house in The Chapel. Plenty of non-stop dancing. Gets crowded for big event days e.g. Easter Sunday. Less crowded on an ordinary Sunday.
To get in the door - no singlets or sleeveless Tees. No visible tattoos. Come with good attitude. Smile at the scary looking door security guys. You can look at the pics on website.
go to
www.soundsonsunday.com.au
2. After Ours @ YU - SOHO bar in Victoria Street, Kings Cross. From 10pm Sunday night to 6am Monday morning. Great place to go after SoundsOnSunday when you want to kick on. House and breaks. Lots of dancing - but can get hot and crowded. Have a shower and tidy up after Sounds b4 you come here. But dress policy on Sunday nights is reasonably relaxed. Less relaxed on Friday and Saturday nights. Come with good attitude and smile.
3. ARQ on Flinders Street off Oxford Street. Gay club. Never failed to have a great time here. I'm usually not the oldest person here. Do not go if ur not prepared to dance with your shirt off. Generally tolerant of my wife and I. Doesn't matter what you wear on top, cos you'll be takin it off. Jeans and good runners. If you take your (female) partner with you it's a good idea to go in a bit separately, otherwise they think you've just come to look at the spectacle. Come with open mind. Saturday night is best night of week.
4. Plastic. Has now moved to Tantra on Oxford Street. haven't tried it at that location yet but is highly regarded.
Not sure about dress code these days. The website will give you the flava - look at the pics.
I've heard and read plenty of good things about other places, but can't give them my personal rec.
Bring your photo ID to all places - it will probably be checked on the door regardless of how old you look.
I have seen people who appear to be under the effects of drugs in each of these places. I have also seen strict security in all of these places. I have seen undercover police in some of these places from time to time.NSW police also use drug sniffer dogs in raids on clubs and during stop and search operations on Sydney streets. These include the streets around YU, ARQ, and Tantra. Read more at the NSW Council for Civil Liberties site
http://www.nswccl.org.au/issues/sniffer_dogs.php
For general information about clubbing in Sydney and Canberra, and Melbourne (I grew up there!) you could try
www.inthemix.com.au
Oh, and the Club Plastic link is
www.clubplastic.com.au
Sorry if some of these sites are not hyperlinked, but I had some trouble.
p.s. - I forgot - TechNiKal @ Chinese Laundry, around the back of the Slip Inn, Sussex Street. Can be a bit choosy about dress - bangin music.
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