Tuesday, April 13, 2010

I'm just going to be blunt... What happened to THE CLARE?!?!?!

So last Saturday I went back to The Clare at Ultimo (after a long hiatus) - this place is pretty much a rite of passage for Uni students who have attended UTS or Sydney Uni or anyone who works/worked for the ABC.

Back in the day, when you walked in you would usually be slapped in the face by the smell of stale beer and a room full of students (who should be in class or have just failed a subject), you would sink into the 'much-loved' (and 'overly-loved) couches and the staff were aware of your exact drinking needs and would serve you with as many beers as you could afford (within the rules of RSA of course). The atmosphere would be filled with delightful banter, intellectual (and un-intellectual) debate and unknown, underground music filled the remainder of the space.

But now, the staff have become so disdained and jaded with the idea that they (the Clare) are 'too cool for school' and have begun neglecting the basic essences that made the Clare, 'the Clare'. Most noticeable was the vapid blonde who actively mocked customers (along with ignoring them) as she sat at the end of the bar with other staff members and 'friends'.

The staff failed to inform us that there was free pool on a Saturday night, after 6 games - it kinda would've been nice to know. Then there was the music - it was different to say the least - (I know I must sound really old right now reminiscing about the past, but seriously it's not like what it use to be). The DJ would play music from his laptop and then sit down and join the blonde for a chat at the end of the bar. YES people, and he got PAID to do this. And it wasn't the underground stuff from before, it was Beyonce and all your top 40 hits of today. Can you believe it? Maybe they should just put the radio on, or whack someone's iPod on instead.

This is just not right. Bring back the old Clare! And bring on staff that want to 'want' to add to the Clare and its' colourful history.

Where is The Clare? 20 Broadway, Ultimo
Photo Credit: smh.com.au

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