Camelot Lounge

What an evening! … It was my first live show at this venue, previously exploring the bar here. It was packed and had a great air of anticipation & excitement. The show was ‘Nancy Sinatra & the Nancy Boys’ … as the name suggests a Nancy Sinatra Review show with all her greatest hits showcased. It was not the real Nancy … but it might as well have been. The mood lighting set the tone, there was food available and Beer, Wine, Cider & Spirits available for all to enjoy.

Another great night at Camelot. Baby et Lulu today. Those girls rock (in a French way…).

I’ve seen many a great band advertised here but as is my wont, the thing that finally got me here was the lure of a spankin new comedy night. And it doesn’t hurt that this deep wild-​wild-​inner-​western venue is on the freakin bondi junction train line! #ftw
Hump Night (Wednesdays, in a camel themed bar, capiche?) Comedy’s opening night was brilliant, with a stellar lineup & full house. The décor description is best quoted to the night’s MC– David Smeidt– who described it ss if a gay pirate was having a garage sale. Camels, camel themes, and some classic posters– the gay pirates responsible for decorating Camelot have definitely never heard the expression, «less is more»…
I ordered a garlic pizza cos it was like $ 8. It was alright & for $ 8 I ain’t gonna complain the crust was a bit hard tho. Some pretty amazing looking mezze plates were doing the rounds and making me regret my decision. Now that I know how easy it is to get to and groovy a venue it is I’m looking forward to joining the camel cult.

Very cool.
The building looks like a run-​down old warehouse. The stairs go all the way to the top and (if you don’t glance in the new Django lounge bar halfway up) suddenly you find yourself in a hidden speakeasy, a hall decorated by a camel-​obsessed music fanatic, a nacho-​feasting lounge of eclectic clutter.
It’s an honestly weird spot. It’s dreamlike and welcoming at the same time. Whatever you’ve bought a ticket for it’s going to be oddball and amazing. I’ve seen roots blues acts like Hat Fitz & Clara, and Lloyd Spiegel here, as well as Christa Hughes’ cabaret jazz stylings. Blues, jazz, and world music are their stock in trade, it seems.
Good bar selection, snacks like nachos and pizzas and desserts are available, and good gigs, always.

Random nights are the best nights, aren’t they?
My friend Isobel sent me a message last week, with a Facebook link saying, wanna check this out next week in good old Marrickville? I was like, yeeerrrppppp, let’s go. Why not, right?
So tonight, I look at the Facebook page to figure out where it is and its like all trendy and ambiguous «in the back streets of Marrickville»… well, where the FUCK is that, eh??? Bloody thing.
Well, I figured it out and I can’t tell you how AWESOME it was! Dimly lit, trendy, hipster kitch. Think Shady Pines, but not so much Americana. Yes, cowboys. But also gypsies, persian carpets, camels and eastern flair. The owner, came over and introduced himself to us and was like, how did you hear about us? Well, we have the very uncool story that Isobel’s mum told her about it. Yeah, I’m serious. LOL. We think it’s funny as hell too, especially since the place was so great, so unknown. Her mum saw some live music here a few weeks ago. I should probably make up a cooler story about how I know about the place that makes me sound really awesome with my finger right on the pulse of avant guarde Sydney or something, so when I bring people here I can be like… yeah… I’m cool… man?!!
We had wines which were delicious. I had an SA Pinot Noir. Hey, look! I’m trying to learn my wines! Be impressed. I’m a wine doofus. Downstairs is «Django Bar» which is I guess, not a music venue. Camelot is technically on the top floor, and is a music venue with some food… the garlic pizza is amazing. Perfectly garlicky and cheesy melty goodness. Sean Taylor was playing, he was described as a Chris Isaak acoustic guitar type… well, wow, I could have easily stayed out til past midnight if it wasn’t a school night. He was amazing. Everything was 5 star.
I’m really glad to be able to write this review for such a great NEW establishment, but it’s even better that it’s in my home suburb of dear old MARRICKVILLE!!! Marrickville is seriously Sydney’s Brooklyn. Seriously. Its coming up in the world. Watch out.