AFF Gathering #3, Sydney, October 23-25, 2009

[Keith009]

how about "strategic planning and review committee " meeting

everyone knows they're just a pissup anyway

Or anything with the word 'conference.'

 

[Flashback]

Or anything with the word 'conference.'

Shh, don't tell my boss that! Oh wait, that's me *books another conference*

How about AFF W&D (wine and dine)

 

[munitalP]

Thanks for the words of thanks guys - mark and I did a little planning, you guys showing up made the event!

Nice to meet a whole bunch of new people - i wouldn't mind any pics people took, I have created an email to send them to please [email protected] would be most appreciated!

As for a name - "the gathering" is it in my opinion, thats what it is, a gathering of people, no hard and fast rules and we are all out for a great time!

Conference or the like is well, just to "official" IMHO

Anyway, thanks to the attendees again

Mr!
:mrgreen:

 

[Febs]

Dinner on Saturday night was certainly bad XX era music

That still really baffles me with the shoes. Crazy.

Hemmesphere's a pretty classy sit-down coughtail bar, not a nightclub or dingy pub. As someone mentioned on Keith's status - Le Bogan is still Bogan.

Funny story actually, a mate of mine decided he wanted to update his wardrobe after losing some weight, so we headed out late on Saturday to get him some new clothes, starting with shoes. He didn't see why shoes were such a big deal, but decided to follow my advice.

That night he, my girlfriend and myself all went to Hemmesphere. The bouncer let me and my girlfriend past, the put his hand up, stopped my mate, very obviously looked down and checked out his shoes, then said "OK mate, in you go."

It's all about the shoes. Always has been.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Keith009]

Hemmesphere's a pretty classy sit-down coughtail bar, not a nightclub or dingy pub. As someone mentioned on Keith's status - Le Bogan is still Bogan.

Funny story actually, a mate of mine decided he wanted to update his wardrobe after losing some weight, so we headed out late on Saturday to get him some new clothes, starting with shoes. He didn't see why shoes were such a big deal, but decided to follow my advice.

That night he, my girlfriend and myself all went to Hemmesphere. The bouncer let me and my girlfriend past, the put his hand up, stopped my mate, very obviously looked down and checked out his shoes, then said "OK mate, in you go."

It's all about the shoes. Always has been.

Cheers,
- Febs.

Looks like my new Hugo Boss blue suede leather shoes won't fit the criteria then, as it also has laces... Incidentally my cheapo Kenneth Cole loafers do...

Been denied entry to a place in LA for the exact same reason before - and this was a nightclub so I wasn't about to let people spill their drinks on nice shoes. But thankfully the W was just around the corner so I simply got Whatever/Whenever to bring down my other pair of shoes. Once inside I changed back to my sneakers.

 

[samh004]

Looks like I'll have to go shopping at Christmas for some "appearance" shoes for clubs.

 

[Febs]

Seriously, there's no need for "appearance" shoes IMO. Just good dress sense.

You wouldn't wear joggers/sneakers to a party that called for "smart casual", so similarly you shouldn't wear them when visiting a classy lounge or bar. Nothing wrong with a nice pair of leather shoes (lace-up or slip-on). Can be worn with jeans or trousers, for a smart casual or more formal look.

(Note Keith I'm not suggesting you don't have good dress sense at all, just saying that places like Hemmesphere call for a slightly smarter dress sense than some other bars around Sydney. I guess it's a bit like Silk Road - on Saturday night they were turning guys away in droves, and they weren't all badly dressed. Nice place, by the way. Quite similar to Establishment, but with a different crowd.)

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[samh004]

Seriously, there's no need for "appearance" shoes IMO. Just good dress sense.

You wouldn't wear joggers/sneakers to a party that called for "smart casual", so similarly you shouldn't wear them when visiting a classy lounge or bar. Nothing wrong with a nice pair of leather shoes (lace-up or slip-on). Can be worn with jeans or trousers, for a smart casual or more formal look.

I don't even have a suit, so naturally don't have leather shoes either. Therefore they're on the list, and will be used as "appearance" shoes.

 

[haydensydney]

lol.... I was wondering when the shoes topic would come up on here

that was my first time being refused entry to Hemmesphere - was so annoyed I couldn't show you guys the place - it really has a nice atmosphere (great coughtails too!). MrsHaydensydney said that I should have waved the card at them, and failing that, complain to centurion. Im not one for a scene though, and I have seen the not so friendly consequences of a "dont you know who I am" outburst... embarrassing to say the least.... Not to worry, maybe next time QF009

 

[Keith009]

Seriously, there's no need for "appearance" shoes IMO. Just good dress sense.

You wouldn't wear joggers/sneakers to a party that called for "smart casual", so similarly you shouldn't wear them when visiting a classy lounge or bar. Nothing wrong with a nice pair of leather shoes (lace-up or slip-on). Can be worn with jeans or trousers, for a smart casual or more formal look.

(Note Keith I'm not suggesting you don't have good dress sense at all, just saying that places like Hemmesphere call for a slightly smarter dress sense than some other bars around Sydney. I guess it's a bit like Silk Road - on Saturday night they were turning guys away in droves, and they weren't all badly dressed. Nice place, by the way. Quite similar to Establishment, but with a different crowd.)

Cheers,
- Febs.

Been in and out of Spice Market and Silk Road wearing Kris van Assche high tops and green Prada slip ons (fabric) with no issues... the door cough at Silk Road even asked me where I got the KvAs from. I suppose those look less "sneakers'-like" than the blue/silver Prada ones I wore to Hemmesphere. The irony was I was wearing my loafers earlier in the day but they got rather uncomfy so I changed into the sneakers after checking into the Hilton.

BTW, did you end up finding 1806 and Misty Place?

 

[Keith009]

Looks like I'll have to go shopping at Christmas for some "appearance" shoes for clubs.

Since when is there a need for a reason or even an excuse to go shopping?

 

[Flashback]

Since when is there a need for a reason or even an excuse to go shopping?

Hey, you gave me excuses on the weekend ... "it's Saturday today, so we'll have to go shopping"

 

[penegal]

Sorry samh004, but I'm with QF009 on this one

Since when is there a need for a reason or even an excuse to go shopping?

Here Here.

----

As for dress codes and entry into classy/popular venues I find that there is never a consistent standard.

IME it depends on a wide range of factors. Entry can depend on the mood of the bouncer / fashion police, and their first impression of you (and your group), as much it does on what you are actually wearing.

Classic example, earlier this year I was let into Silk Road in Melbourne wearing what was basicly gym gear because I was with two Norwegian Blonde girls. (For the record I had actually come from the gym and had no intention of going out, but they twisted my arm).

 

[penegal]

Hey, you gave me excuses on the weekend ... "it's Saturday today, so we'll have to go shopping"

I'm sure Keith will agree that every day that ends in 'day' is a shopping day.

 

[Febs]

that was my first time being refused entry to Hemmesphere - was so annoyed I couldn't show you guys the place - it really has a nice atmosphere (great coughtails too!). MrsHaydensydney said that I should have waved the card at them, and failing that, complain to centurion. Im not one for a scene though, and I have seen the not so friendly consequences of a "dont you know who I am" outburst... embarrassing to say the least.... Not to worry, maybe next time QF009

While I'm always the first to laugh at people trying to get into nightspots (usually ivy) by flashing their credit cards, AMEX Centurion do have an arrangement with Hemmesphere where you get a free round of coughtails don't they? In that situation, it could have been worth a try.

Having said that though, the bouncer would still be pretty unlikely to let you in. As always, entry is at the discretion of "management".

BTW, did you end up finding 1806 and Misty Place?

Dinner took much longer than expected (we did the degustation at Jacques Reymond - it was very good, but nowhere near the experience of Quay or Tets) so we didn't get to try as many bars as we'd hoped.

Ended up going to Silk Road, Golden Monkey (my girlfriend really wanted to try the Peanut Butter coughtail I had there a year ago. They don't make it any more, but made an exception for us ) and then Mme Brussels, which I really, really liked. Great vibe, cool music and definitely very different.

I'm staying in the Hyatt this week so might try to check out Spice Market, and 1806 if I get a chance (probably won't though! )

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Febs]

As for dress codes and entry into classy/popular venues I find that there is never a consistent standard.

IME it depends on a wide range of factors. Entry can depend on the mood of the bouncer / fashion police, and their first impression of you (and your group), as much it does on what you are actually wearing.

Classic example, earlier this year I was let into Silk Road in Melbourne wearing what was basicly gym gear because I was with two Norwegian Blonde girls. (For the record I had actually come from the gym and had no intention of going out, but they twisted my arm).

Oh, completely agree. Dress code usually plays second fiddle to a membership card or a few beautiful women. But the fact is that dressing nicely will, in most situations, give you a better chance of getting into places (see previous Hemmesphere example I mentioned).

Speaking of dress code - I know you guys didn't make it to ivy, but you should see the range of fashion there around the pool. From flanno and thongs to tuxedos, and everything in between! In fact...I even know someone (*ahem*) who got in there late on Friday night dressed in a 7ft corn cob costume. No lie.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Keith009]

I'm sure Keith will agree that every day that ends in 'day' is a shopping day.

Spot on!

 

[Keith009]

Ended up going to ...Golden Monkey (my girlfriend really wanted to try the Peanut Butter coughtail I had there a year ago. They don't make it any more, but made an exception for us )

It's discontinued for a good reason I think (apart from seasonal changes which this venue doesn't seem to adopt). I personally found that drink rather sickly sweet, YMMV.

 

[drewbles]

I'm sure Keith will agree that every day that ends in 'day' is a shopping day.

I thought it was any day ending with 'y' that was a good day to drink? that said, it's a good time to drink after one is spent from shopping

 

[samh004]

Since when is there a need for a reason or even an excuse to go shopping?

Sorry samh004, but I'm with QF009 on this one.

When you don't have a job and money has to be carefully saved... having a mother who'd buy you (or me as the case may be) nice shoes to get into clubs for Christmas is a good reason!

I don't have the money to go out today, next week or next month.