Wednesday, 10 August 2011

Grace Darling 10/08/11

"Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum B.E.E.R.S."

Attendees: Cam, Ben, Michael, Ivanka, George, Richo, Louise, Phoebe.
Price: $8 standard pints but gourmet craft beers aren't too pricey. Quite acceptable.
Location: 114 Smith St.
Distance: 10 min walk.
Ambiance: Great mid-week vibe going on with lots of different and varied groups. Warm lighting- tea lights, candles and open-fire place create welcoming and intimate atmosphere.
Character: Classic old pub style. Great bluestone exterior. Separate outdoor dining area is really cool, can eat under the stars, while still feeling like you are inside.
The place has great great materiality- floorboards, timber, natural flame as lighting, etc. adds a feeling of honesty.
Decor: Bit too cluttered. Too many different themes going on. They have a funky nautical theme that works, but it is overpowered by lots of other themes.
Comfort: Very high, specially for winter with the fireplace.. There are so many different options- you can dine under the stars, lounge on intimate couches with a date, or sit a high tables with friends.
Patrons: Trendy indie Collingwood, but still welcoming of other types.
Staff: Very 'cool', but without the attitude. They are 'trend-ly'!
Selection: Fantastic. Great selection of craft beers on tap as well as a wide range of unique bottled beers. It is refreshing to see a pub that has a standard, cheap tap beer that isn't Carlton or Boags Draught (it's Coopers Lager).
Also has a great selection of spirits and cocktails.
Outdoor: Covered outdoor dining area as mentioned before, but also has a happening on-street drinking area.
Specials: Has Big Buck Hunter!! As well as a pool table. Great mix of traditional pub and trendy hotspot. Has a great food menu. Special deals are $12 home-made pies and 1/2 price selected jugs on Tuesdays. There is a band room upstairs and a rave-cave downstairs.
L.S.R. (New category!! Light to Sound Ratio): Great use of gradient lighting. It is quite light at the bar, but still has dark corners and nooks. Music is loud enough to enjoy, but still soft enough to enjoy conversation between friends.
Amenities: Very basic. Doesn't match the rest of the place.
Top Suggestion: Unify the decor. Declutter a bit- stick to one theme (the nautical one!)
Field Notes: As soon as you walk in it has a great welcoming vibe. Knew this place would score well as soon as stepped inside.
Memorable Quotes: "I feel like I'm on Magic Mushrooms!" MLG (talking about the decor)
"It's a rum-elution" I.B.
"This is like a 'trim-the-beard-Collingwood' kinda place" B.H.
"Dark corners so people can dry-hump" Phoebe

Arbitrary Score: 87
Whether you are out for dining, drinking, dating or getting rowdy, the Grace has you covered on all bases.


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