Random recollections of a rampant reprobate.
It’s a pity that plastic palace (The Grand) went up. They destroyed 2 great pubs that occupied
that site. The Pier Hotel and the Family Hotel were great watering holes, now lost forever to
tragic development. There were some great characters who used to prop up those bars while
battling a powerful thirst and more than a few tears were spilled when these iconic treasures
were demolished. I’ve come to agree with my father, truly great pubs don’t have carpet !!!
Timber, lino or marble, it didn’t matter just so long as it could be hosed out, then given a fresh
layer of sawdust to absorb the various spillages caused by wild men having feral fun.
Pre the 1970’s, you could tell how good a pub was by the amount of blood, teeth, beer, vomit
and various other human wastes (& parts), that were in the sawdust! And, of
course, by the number and frequency of bodies being thrown out the doors and windows,
accompanied by many well worn expletives stating whether said body was banned for a time
period, or in the case of true local heroes – life !
Our country cousins can certainly match we townies when they decide to ‘let rip’ too.
I’ve relied heavily on the memory of others, who have assured me that I’ve enjoyed many
Bacchanalian banquets with friends at the Berri Club, Berri Hotel, Cobdogla Club, Glossop
Club and Westlands Whyalla.
Old city nightclubs I remember were the Princeton in the Burnside Town Hall, Sam’s at
Norwood Footy Club, Fiesta Villa at the Findon Hotel, Swinger at the Hotel Australia, Jules
and Countdown in Hindley Street, Teaser’s Newmarket Hotel and Noah’s at the Arkaba.
My gang mostly stayed away from those joints, preferring the various pubs and wine bars that
stayed open late.
There was Bogart’s and The Pink Pig at North Adelaide, Leon’s at Norwood and Nelson’s on
South Road went through some interesting transformations (and patrons). As long as you
bought a ‘supper ticket’ at wine bars, usually costing about $1.50, you could sip the night
away. They didn’t even check to see whether you ate something or not. Mind you, after
eating the ‘turbo curry’ steak and rice at the Pink Pig, you needed to drink all night just to get
your breath back! I’m sure that was their plan.
Plenty of Adelaide’s pubs had big gigs and/or late night trading. The Marryatville was my
favourite long before it was wrecked by poker machines, carpet and tizzy furnishings. The
temporary stage was placed over the indoor/outdoor fish pond when visiting bands came to
play. During the 1970’s, a band’s worth often seemed to be judged by how loud they were
and I’m convinced they had a competition running to see how many goldfish were found
‘belly up’ in the Marryatville’s pond when the stage was removed.
When closing time arrived at ‘The Ville’, you could always get another 2 hours drinking in at
The Feathers before looking for the all night wine bars. Before late night & Sunday trading,
the only way you could get a drink after hours was to be ‘a bonafide traveller’. Does anyone
remember rocking up to a closed pub and being asked by a grumpy publican to fill out all the
forms, proving you have driven the necessary 50 miles to get ya’ grog? I remember walking
out of a hotel in Pt. Augusta one hot Sunday, with a cold slab under my arm, much to the
disgust of many dry and dusty locals who couldn’t get served. The pub owner advised us to
get out of town quickly. We took our beer & his advice!
Hotels just outside Adelaide’s ‘zone’ soon got in on the act and our mob used to head up to
the Inglewood Inn for a few civilised bevvies on Sundays. Some bikie gangs also joined the
party, but if you got to know them, as we did, then you often experienced a very entertaining
afternoon and unlimited ‘bodyguards’ if unknown or unwanted blow-ins caused trouble !
It sure pays to get along with people from all walks of life. As far as I’m concerned, the
absolute best place to have fun eating, drinking and gambling in Adelaide during the 70’s
was the Keswick Army Barracks. Great leg-pulling banter with the soldiers and civvies,
fantastic inexpensive food, all sorts of betting like 2 up, poker, crown & anchor etc.,
and all while drinking dirt cheap, tax free booze. EUREKA! I had found heaven on earth !
It takes a great deal of care to ensure that work doesn't interfere with your social life !
)
