INDEPENDENT NEWS

Can you judge a place by its toilets?

Published: Wed 6 Aug 2008 03:23 PM
Can you judge a place by its toilets?
By Party Marty
I’ve been in my fair share and gee having gleaming spacious ones makes a difference (this also applies for residential long-drops). Everyone knows that if you attract and impress the AYF (Attractive Young Females) you’ll have a winning venue. Why then are bars opening up with pokey un-user friendly bathrooms; many established ones keeping them only just above health and safety standards. For a long time the ones at Bar3 took the cake, but it looks as if they’ve just been super-seeded by a new Ponsonby establishment about to open up called Prohibition. I hear fittings are gold plated, and there’s even a wash-room attendant.
So, yes, I went to piles of places last week and thus many bathrooms. Last Wednesday was the monthly Dinner & Movie night at Toto. There was the biggest audience I’d ever seen for one of these. The movie was Spike Lee’s “Do The Right Thing”, not my favourite movie ever, but it gave me ample chance to enjoy my date and the new and improved menu. When the credits rolled I dashed for the door, knowing my flexible arm would surely be hassled. I made it.
Alice Jenkins flew back into town last Thursday, her sister from another mother had organised a surprise dinner party at Nishiki. “Pass the sake please” was the phrase of the evening. While they carried on to Karaoke, I nipped over to the shore to check out Mesh Bar for their long running Torque party night, that I seem to always forget about. Not this time though, I snooped around Takapuna for an hour while Mesh heated up. In doing so ran into all sorts people, some I knew and some I didn’t (but they’re now new FB friends). I’ll be checking out Thursday Shore sessions again very soon, maybe even sort a sleep-over and see how it plays on Fridays.
I hadn’t been to a university lecture for 12 years up until last Friday. I was invited to the biology department to hear about how science is perceived by society. It was rather fun and stimulating, making me think that a part-time return to study may be on the cards. Post-match it was CEO city, I didn’t add too much to the conversation, but was energised into doing more for myself and the community.
These wines led onto Derelict @ Denim. I drank my quart of Tui from a brown paper bag and chatted to the “homeless”. The concept was novel, the cardboard and newspaper strewn aptly and the tunes fitting. Good job guys.
Aquamatta is an authentic Italian restaurant that I was introduced to a couple of months ago. Now it’s a place a go when I want to impress. I was after a magic evening and Aquamatta delivered. I have never spent 4 hours just chatting, wining and dining before, normally it’s just swallow, pay and leave, but this place calmed me down and seduced me with quality service, atmosphere and most of all divine food. The plan was to head to Flight Lounge next for Vegas Nights, but I didn’t want to spoil the bliss I was in. Bed beckoned and I answered.
Waking well rested and ready to rock is like winning Lotto for me, it’s that rare. Last Saturday I rolled over at 7.30am and checked my phone. 30 odd missed calls and texts. Checking them all I deduced the majority of the people where at one particular DJ’s place in Ponsonby. I showered up and headed over to inspect the carnage, and join in.
There was the odd random lurking, but everyone else was “on fire”, spurred mainly by the King sisters’ coaxing. We played all day, but when the host took a severe power-nap the show was over. I moved on to The L’Oreal Awards at the ASB Theatre. For the first hour we schmoozed and binged, then the show began, feathers, dancers and a whole lot of effort. Petra Bagust did a super job leading ceremonies, Peter Urlich wasn’t far behind.
We zapped off to catch the second half of the test at Tim’s place in The Viaduct, bopped a bit after the victory, then packed into Grazie’s car and checked out the L’Oreal after party. What a stunning event. Heaven, everyone was in a gleeful state and interacting very well.
Mint at Seba was next, it was so good I stayed much longer than planned, my inattention to time probably due to my fun blonde company. SpyBar usually closes out any late night on the tiles, it was as popular as ever.
Matt from Parnell had one of the most populated after parties in a while. When some departed, they were replaced by even more. Around 9 or so we were in search for something more intimate, so found a venue and began filling it. Dusk rolled around all too quickly and this meant Monday was next.
Monday did come, as did reflections on what on earth had happened over the last 48 hours. One surprise to rise to was a grazed shoulder blade, nicely skinned elbow and a painfully swollen right knee; damn my delusions of break-dancing grandeur.
ENDS

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