While rummaging around in my photo folders recently (that’s the computer type of folder), I came across several photographs that I’ve taken inside pubs/bars over the years while out to dinner or the like. I’ve never used them for any specific purpose and have probably taken the shots because they looked neat or whatever at the time. But on pondering these photographs, I thought that it wouldn’t be a such a bad idea to create a post on bars, considering that pubs/bars are a somewhat iconic part of life in Australia. It’s a pity that I hadn’t thought about taking photos of these before, as there have been some really interesting pubs visited over the years, but I guess it’s never too late to start anything and this time it will be slightly more focussed (photography pun intended). I’ve taken more photos of the outside of pubs than the inside, so that needs to be addressed.

The Dargo Hotel – Dargo Victoria

I can’t remember the name of this bar, it may have been The Loft, somewhere in the middle of Melbourne. It was one of those trendy bars with a nightclub attached and the venue for my niece’s 21st birthday. All I can say is that, as the night wore on, I began to feel like a nudist at a tailor’s convention, just slightly out of place (being the designated driver didn’t help). I was kind of glad when we could gracefully depart and didn’t need to attend the nightclub. That said, it did provide some interesting lighting.

Inner city bar (The Loft?) – Melbourne Victoria

Inner city bar (The Loft?) – Melbourne Victoria

The Beach Hotel is a far more civilised and peaceful place, with warm light streaming through the large windows and pleasant views over the bay (at that particular time of year anyway). It was also a pretty good place for lunch. Refreshingly, you could walk outside without fear of being harassed by drunks and the fresh air was significantly better that the foetid stuff that transpires for air in the dank surrounds of Melbourne’s streets at night (and often during the day as well). The friendly, relaxed, atmosphere was reflected in the demeanour of the bar staff.

The Beach Hotel – Albert Park Melbourne

The Beach Hotel – Albert Park Melbourne

But there’s no denying that loud pubs/bars, especially nightclubs, do my head in and I derive no pleasure from such places (the ability to lip read could possibly help, but there would be no saving the vocal chords). Give me a country pub any day, as they tend to have character and atmosphere that isn’t predicated on trying to rip your eyes and ears apart (or your wallet). On that note, I’ll finish off with another iconic bush pub, the Strath Creek Pub.

Strath Creek Hotel – Strath Creek Victoria

So for this series, I’m mainly going to look at pubs and especially country pubs that I come across in my travels, and it won’t necessarily include just pubs/bars in Gippsland, but I’ll try to give them some precedence where possible, and our local brewery will get top billing in my next post. I think I’ll have to make a point of dropping in on every country pub I pass, just to get the shot. That could be a good or bad idea, depending on how you look at things.