Geelong Nightlife Tips by Marpessa

Nightlife Spot: The Barwon Club

The Barwon Club (or BC) is divided into three areas. First there is the restaurant (which has tables both in and outside), then there is the bar area (divided from the restaurant by a step), which includes a large screen tv doubles as a visual jukebox (select the song to hear it and watch the video clip). Lastly there is the 'band area' which is closed off from the bar area by doors and usually only cost a few bucks to get into - unless theres something special going on (like multiple bands all night), then it'll cost you about $10-15.

It, like most of Geelong, has a relaxed atmosphere, mostly filled with people chatting, drinking and having a laugh.

A good place to see local bands, but also gets in bands from overseas from time to time.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: Most bands that play are towards the 'alternative' sound, so jeans and sneakers are fine, but try to dress them up a bit - you are going out after all.

Basically the same goes for the bar and restaurant.
Phone: 5221 4584
Address: 509 Moorabool St.
Directions: Near the Barwon River, 1 min. from K-mart/Coles.

Nightlife Spot: Readings Cinema

There are two cinemas in Geelong - I prefer Readings. It has larger screens, surround sound and stadium seating. There is also selection of 'Cinema Paradiso' movies, which are usually foreign language.

There are also two restaurants located next to Readings, LaPorchetta and Panache.

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Theme: Other
Dress Code: It's the movies - go however you want.
Phone: 5249 2800
Address: Cnr Pioneer Rd & Princes Hwy
Directions: Waurn Ponds - opposite Geelong Baseball.
Website: www.readingcinemas.com.au

Nightlife Spot: Eureka Sportz Saloon Cafe

The Eureka (pronounced U-ree-kah), is a mainstream kind of place. The music they play is top 20 (so mainly pop and R'n B), there is a dance floor, pool tables and big screen TVs (that often show sports: footy, soccer, etc.). Its 2 stories, but the 2nd floor isn't always open. It has an easy going atmosphere. More of a club for people 18-25yrs old.

A plus is that the taxi stand is just around the corner from the club so you don't have to wander around looking for one.

It's also open during the day as a restaurant/cafe - serves usual bar type meals.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: Don't wear jeans or sneakers. A tie for the guys is going overboard, just dress to impress but without looking too formal.
Phone: 5229 5266
Address: 98 Little Malop St.
Website: www.eurekasportz.com.au

Nightlife Spot: GPAC - Geelong Performing Arts Centre

GPAC has a variety of different performances, they have plays, music performers, comedians and much more. At GPAC there are three different places to eat: The Cellar, GPAC cafe and The Bar (liquids only). They also do catering for functions.

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Theme: Theater
Dress Code: No jeans or sneakers, dress to impress but not overly formal.
Address: 50 Little Malop St.
Directions: Across from the road from the Geelong Library, city centre.
Website: www.gpac.org.au

Nightlife Spot: Lamby's

I recently went to Lamby's for the first time (much to the disbelief of my friends: 'how could you have never been to Lamby's before?!'). The place is very cool and attracts people of all ages. When I went there was a stage set up and a band was playing (cover songs - but they were really good) and dance remixes were played when they were on a break.

The club is beneath the Wool Museum (a building that dates back to the 1800s) so the interior of Lamby's has 'wood' decor and dimmed lighting which gives you a feeling of warm familiarity.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: 'Neat casual' will be fine.
Address: Cnr Moorabool & Brougham Streets, Geelong.
Directions: Beneath the National Wool Museum - entrance is on Brougham St.

Nightlife Spot: Irish Murphy's

I already have a tip for Irish Murphy's in my 'restaurant tips', but decided to split it as it is both a restaurant and a pub and the two sections do have different 'atmospheres' (although both are Irish). :)

The whole interior of Irish Murphy's is decorated as a 'traditional Irish' pub (note the word 'traditional'). There are signs in gaelic, posters for guinness and a few of Geelong's local Irish population hanging about. But the bar has a warm and cosy feel to it, and on Friday and Saturday nights the place is pretty well packed.

There is often live music acts (sometimes just doing covers), one of my friends has played a few gigs here. It is a nice pub to come to, especially since it seems to be the only place in Geelong where I can find Bulmers (alcoholic cider drinks - absolutely lovely!). It also has any other Irish drink (Bailey's, Guinness, etc.) that you might want, as well as a nice assortment of shots like: Pancake and Cowboy. There are also packets of chips and peanuts if you feel a bit hungry as well.

(Note: do not have two pints of Bulmers and then a shot of Pancake, I did and it *really* was not a good combination).

The crowd that hangs out at Irish Murphy are all ages, people in their 20s up to people in their 60s or sometimes 70s. So take a bunch of friends and check it out and see if you like it.

Over the weekend it is usually open till midnight-1am.

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Theme: Other
Dress Code: There is no need to dress up, casual is fine.
Phone: 5221 4335
Address: 30 Aberdeen St.
Directions: It is a short walk out of the city centre (and not really near other 'nightlife' spots in Geelong). 10-15 mins walking west of Moorabool St (2 mins by car).
Website: www.irishmurphys.com.au