Harry
CibbuanoThe Hopetoun Hotel - Surry Hills
July 6th 2006 06:05
If you're a regular reader you might have know that i caught Marcus Teague at the Hopetoun Hotel last night (which was excellent) and it prompted me to try something different. This is the first official Venue Review, and i thought i would start off with a venue that is close to the heart of many bands and musicians - The Hopetoun Hotel in Surry Hills.
Location.
Firstly, the most important aspect of any live music venue is the location. If it's no where near transport, it would fail pretty quickly. The Hopetoun is located in a pretty good spot, about 200m from central station, the only downside being that it’s up a fairly sizable hill that may inhibit an intoxicated punter from actually reaching the venue. Suggestion: if your going to have a night of drinking, wait until you get to the venue... alternatively, pay $5 and get a taxi up the hill. The unfortunate aspect of the location is that its smack bang in the middle of a residential area, meaning late night gigs are pretty much out of the question.
Street Appeal.
As a general rule, if a place looks like a dive, it probably is. That isn't to say you should judge a venue by the outside, but if a proprietor wants to have a venue that attracts good music and plenty of patrons, there will be some effort put into the general appearance. The Hopetoun looks good from the outside - it's simple, but it manages to display that it is certainly a friendly, atmospheric venue, greeting with soft lighting and displaying the weeks entertainment to the world.
Venue Atmosphere.
Again, super important. Most live music venues have a fantastic Atmosphere, friendly bar staff, good lighting, plenty of places to hang out, good music playing, etc. Venues that have no atmosphere don’t usually last very long. The Hopetoun has excellent atmosphere, even early on there a plenty of people walking around the venue, the staff are good for a chat, the stage is in a prime position, the lighting is good and the scattered artworks give you something to look at and discuss before the gig. The Hoey also scores big points in the pokie department, I think they have about 4 in the room with the pool table. They haven’t sold out live music for a quick buck like so many other pubs.
Food.
I'm not food critic, but Tongs Kitchen if bloody fantastic. Seriously, the price you pay for the amount and quality of food is fantastic and Tong is a really nice guy too. Where else can you pay $8 for a huge main meal in Sydney? If you go to the Hopetoun for a gig, I recommend getting there an hour early just to sample some of the food.
Music.
The Hopetoun Hotel has music 7 days a week, and often more than once a day. I have seen some fantastic shows there, and I can guarantee that most people who have managed to squeeze in to catch a gig have been impressed by not only the quality of the bands, but the quality of the setup and sound that is pumped out of the Hopetoun’s sound system. If I could, I would be there every night.
Summary.
If you haven't been, go tonight. If you have been, go again. This is a place not to be missed, with all of the combined factors mentioned above; it has got to be right there with the best of the music venues of Sydney. It could be described a little piece of Melbourne tucked away in Sydney.
p.s the Single Twin (Marcus Teague) gig was excellent last night; he played well, even while competing with the soccer on tv. I got a chance to meet him too, awesome guy.
Location.
Firstly, the most important aspect of any live music venue is the location. If it's no where near transport, it would fail pretty quickly. The Hopetoun is located in a pretty good spot, about 200m from central station, the only downside being that it’s up a fairly sizable hill that may inhibit an intoxicated punter from actually reaching the venue. Suggestion: if your going to have a night of drinking, wait until you get to the venue... alternatively, pay $5 and get a taxi up the hill. The unfortunate aspect of the location is that its smack bang in the middle of a residential area, meaning late night gigs are pretty much out of the question.
Street Appeal.
As a general rule, if a place looks like a dive, it probably is. That isn't to say you should judge a venue by the outside, but if a proprietor wants to have a venue that attracts good music and plenty of patrons, there will be some effort put into the general appearance. The Hopetoun looks good from the outside - it's simple, but it manages to display that it is certainly a friendly, atmospheric venue, greeting with soft lighting and displaying the weeks entertainment to the world.
Venue Atmosphere.
Again, super important. Most live music venues have a fantastic Atmosphere, friendly bar staff, good lighting, plenty of places to hang out, good music playing, etc. Venues that have no atmosphere don’t usually last very long. The Hopetoun has excellent atmosphere, even early on there a plenty of people walking around the venue, the staff are good for a chat, the stage is in a prime position, the lighting is good and the scattered artworks give you something to look at and discuss before the gig. The Hoey also scores big points in the pokie department, I think they have about 4 in the room with the pool table. They haven’t sold out live music for a quick buck like so many other pubs.
Food.
I'm not food critic, but Tongs Kitchen if bloody fantastic. Seriously, the price you pay for the amount and quality of food is fantastic and Tong is a really nice guy too. Where else can you pay $8 for a huge main meal in Sydney? If you go to the Hopetoun for a gig, I recommend getting there an hour early just to sample some of the food.
Music.
The Hopetoun Hotel has music 7 days a week, and often more than once a day. I have seen some fantastic shows there, and I can guarantee that most people who have managed to squeeze in to catch a gig have been impressed by not only the quality of the bands, but the quality of the setup and sound that is pumped out of the Hopetoun’s sound system. If I could, I would be there every night.
Summary.
If you haven't been, go tonight. If you have been, go again. This is a place not to be missed, with all of the combined factors mentioned above; it has got to be right there with the best of the music venues of Sydney. It could be described a little piece of Melbourne tucked away in Sydney.
p.s the Single Twin (Marcus Teague) gig was excellent last night; he played well, even while competing with the soccer on tv. I got a chance to meet him too, awesome guy.
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