Bristol Arms Retro Sydney Bites

If you are visiting Sydney, Australia anytime soon and are looking for some nightlife. Let me tell you one place you DON'T want to visit - The Bristol Arms Retro Hotel on Sussex St. (Building Photo Left)

I was with a friend and 2 relatives last night and we decided to head into the city and check out the Bristol Arms Retro club.

(I've been there a few times before and the multi-story club plays music from several era's on each of their multi-story floors. So you can pickup the 70's, 80's, 90's and the latest stuff to listen or dance to. The crowds usually consist of a fair amount of visitors / tourists and overall the club isn't one with modern decor or new facilities. It's in an old building, and certainly doesn't have the 'VIP' or Studio 54 feel that you might expect from the major clubs in your home city)

Anyway, what happened when we arrived simply blew me away. As we walked towards the entry, we noticed the place was fairly quiet and there was no queue outside to gain entry. As we approached security, they played the old 'fake line' trick - where they make you lineup and they stall you as much as possible, so the public / passing traffic think the place is busy and happening.

My friend in his 30's and myself (29) got through security and headed in. As my relatives (in their 40's) approached, security did their best to intimidate them (which we thought was extremely strange and had us scratching our heads).

As my relatives got to the second security checkpoint where they wave the metal detecting wand over you, the security guard again gave them attitude and said "Sorry, you can't come in - you've had too much to drink!"

We thought this was quite strange, seeing that none of us had actually drunk any alcohol yet and as we all walked away confused - we finally realised that the club simply didn't want visitors in their 40's.

So it seems the first security guard was actually trying to intimidate us; and hoping we would make a scene ourselves - so he could reject us more easily.

I understand that the most trendy clubs in town do adhere to their strict entry policies and may only let beautiful, wealthy or VIP people in and they do well to get around the 'discrimination' laws. However, in this case at the Bristol Arms Retro Hotel - it's a an old rundown and basic nightspot. It's certainly not a majorly popular venue or one that attracts the big name socialites of Sydney town.

So if you're thinking about checking out some clubs next time you're in Sydney, forget visiting the Bristol Arms Retro on Sussex Street. They don't deserve your business and the culling process isn't worth the reward of entry.

Hows the door checking process in your part of the world? Do you have many clubs that filter their entry age, image and social status of their clients?