Soho Bar and Lounge Review

By Maree Sorbello

Walking into Soho nightclub is almost like taking a step into the past with some of the most retro and quirky decor you've ever seen. And yet somehow it manages to be modern - modern crowd, modern music, and of course, modern drinks. There's a mix of the ages here from people who have just turned eighteen up to 30 year olds, but don't feel put off if you are reaching more mature years. If you can still handle the loud music and you don't mind a dance, you'll fit in just fine. And for those who get a little tired from all that dancing, there are plenty of seated areas as well, some of which are regularly hired out for birthdays and special events.

Like any good nightclub, Soho's bottom level hosts a decent sized dance floor with the usual mainstream club tunes, to which you can dance any way you wish. On this level there are two bars, both with small areas to sit, as well as a room of pokies for those of you wishing to get lucky. This is the place to go if you're looking for a full on night of dancing, drinking and more dancing.

Heading upstairs, you'll find another bar and a dance floor, but this space is a little different. Up here, you won't just hear your usual club beats, but rather, an RnB packed line up with all those songs that make you scream, "Oh my God, I haven't heard this song for ages!" It's hard not to get up and dance, and just as hard not to sing along. That's right, there's music you can actually sing to.

The city can often be a costly exercise, which will keep many a broke young party-goer at bay. Whilst Soho does have usual club prices - $8+ house spirits and $20 entry on Saturdays - if you're lucky enough to find a promoter out on the Kings Cross streets - and this is quite often - you will be able to get in free if you're a lucky lady or for five dollars cheaper if you happen to be a man.

Soho, however, is not just for Saturdays. Thursday nights are Ladies night with free champagne before 11pm and $10 buckets all night. And don't worry: Fridays include all you men out there as well, with free entry, $5 drinks all night and dubstep upstairs from 11pm.

If you're a bit worried about the standard of venues in the cross, you have nothing to worry about with Soho. Of course, it is not a place of pure class, and there are a few people around who do like to hit the drinks hard, but everyone's out for a good time and the place is packed by 10 o'clock. If in doubt, the sheer amount of people that you'll find at Soho any night of the weekend shows that there's something worth checking out here.

A 2nd Soho Bar and Lounge Review

By Nastasia Campanella

These days, Sydney clubs seem to be packed with teens. Everyone has their drunken day dancing around a sweaty club, but for those who are in their 20's and 30's, there is still a place for you. Soho is a spot with eclectic music and decor that you shouldn't spew up on at the end of the night.

Housed in an art deco building on the busy strip of Victoria Street, right in the middle of the Cross, Soho is located in a perfect spot, in walking distance to the train station. This place was opened around the time of the areas revival. It was a time when trash either became treasure or it was chucked away with bad behaviour. Friends tell me it started out as a very druggy orientated joint. That certainly isn't apparent to me when I head there. The place had a revamp in 2006 so I assume old habits were driven out the door with the pool tables and crummy furniture. Soho now stands brilliantly with dark tones of brown, red leather couches and polished floorboards. There is a smoke machine on the weekends and gold mirrors around the room.

This isn't the place for food, but the drinks are worth giving a go. While on the expensive side of life [$20 for cocktails and $12 for beers], they are worth a shot. The lemon caprioska is refreshing and light. There is also something called a strawberry Japanese Slipper which is sweet and packed full of punch.

The older crowd seems to love the classic drinks here. They also seem to love the great mix of electronic, indie pop and dubstep popular here too. Really, there is no better place to get sweaty in the Cross!