I had never been to the Calamvale Hotel before and its reputation as a "Bogan filled stink hole" (as one of my friends so kindly put it) didn't have me knocking down the door to get in. However, said friend had not been since its renovation, and my boyfriend assured me I would love it.
Unfortunately, he said this on the way to the venue, just before we heard that there had been a bomb threat. Argh! Not a good start; but after being given the all clear we pushed on, getting closer and closer to what I was sure was going to be a bad night. "If one guy grabs my bot bot, we are leaving," I thought to myself.
As we pulled up to the venue I'm impressed with how nice it looks: its white shade sail roof gives an impression of cleanliness and class. I was not expecting to enjoy any aspects of The Vale, however, I mustn't let my guard down too soon as looks can be deceiving.
We arrived at around 9:30pm (before the large crowd that is usually expected after 10:00pm) so we jumped straight to the front of the line to have our I.D. checked. Again, I unexpectedly thought something about The Vale was kind of cool: after the bouncer scrutinised my Learner's License, he scanned it and I was required to have my photo taken, both to be put in the hotel's system. This process is required to keep tabs on troublemakers and ensure anyone who is banned, stays banned. It was the most high tech security system I had experienced in all my clubbing years, and I felt a great sense of safety and security. My curiosity to find out what was waiting on the other side of the doors suddenly peaked and my constant complaining that we were there at all lightened.
Our crew started off with a laid back sing-a-long session to the live band playing Aussie classics in the Circuit Bar. The bar is plain and small, with seating for about 16 people, and is usually counted as 'pre-drinks' for Pressure Lounge goers. Despite being an RnB girl myself, I had a great time singing with the band and strongly recommend anyone interested in going to the Pressure Lounge to make a stop at the Circuit Bar first.
"Okay, here we go." I made my way to The Pressure Lounge, still with some doubt, but mostly with excitement - I had had a fun night so far and was now looking forward to what else The Vale had to offer. We walked in.
My first thought? "Wow." The Pressure Lounge is The Vale's RnB/Hip Hop club and it is huge! A long bar stretched along the back wall serves up standard drinks for the standard price of around $8-$10; there are bar-style tables with stools in the back left corner and a well lit couched area in the back right, and two podiums equipped with stripper poles on either side of the dance floor. Despite the dance floor coming close to the size of Mystique's, it was packed and the DJ spinning a mix of 80% mainstream Hip Hop and 20% old school Hip Hop. There were much less fitted cap and baggy jean wearers than I thought there would be as well. Everyone seemed to be there to have a good time and weren't judgemental on the dance floor, which meant I could dance as crazily as I wanted and people would join in... and that's exactly what I did all night.
I loved my experience at The Vale and recommend it for all RnB/Hip Hop lovers!
Unfortunately, he said this on the way to the venue, just before we heard that there had been a bomb threat. Argh! Not a good start; but after being given the all clear we pushed on, getting closer and closer to what I was sure was going to be a bad night. "If one guy grabs my bot bot, we are leaving," I thought to myself.
As we pulled up to the venue I'm impressed with how nice it looks: its white shade sail roof gives an impression of cleanliness and class. I was not expecting to enjoy any aspects of The Vale, however, I mustn't let my guard down too soon as looks can be deceiving.
We arrived at around 9:30pm (before the large crowd that is usually expected after 10:00pm) so we jumped straight to the front of the line to have our I.D. checked. Again, I unexpectedly thought something about The Vale was kind of cool: after the bouncer scrutinised my Learner's License, he scanned it and I was required to have my photo taken, both to be put in the hotel's system. This process is required to keep tabs on troublemakers and ensure anyone who is banned, stays banned. It was the most high tech security system I had experienced in all my clubbing years, and I felt a great sense of safety and security. My curiosity to find out what was waiting on the other side of the doors suddenly peaked and my constant complaining that we were there at all lightened.
Our crew started off with a laid back sing-a-long session to the live band playing Aussie classics in the Circuit Bar. The bar is plain and small, with seating for about 16 people, and is usually counted as 'pre-drinks' for Pressure Lounge goers. Despite being an RnB girl myself, I had a great time singing with the band and strongly recommend anyone interested in going to the Pressure Lounge to make a stop at the Circuit Bar first.
"Okay, here we go." I made my way to The Pressure Lounge, still with some doubt, but mostly with excitement - I had had a fun night so far and was now looking forward to what else The Vale had to offer. We walked in.
My first thought? "Wow." The Pressure Lounge is The Vale's RnB/Hip Hop club and it is huge! A long bar stretched along the back wall serves up standard drinks for the standard price of around $8-$10; there are bar-style tables with stools in the back left corner and a well lit couched area in the back right, and two podiums equipped with stripper poles on either side of the dance floor. Despite the dance floor coming close to the size of Mystique's, it was packed and the DJ spinning a mix of 80% mainstream Hip Hop and 20% old school Hip Hop. There were much less fitted cap and baggy jean wearers than I thought there would be as well. Everyone seemed to be there to have a good time and weren't judgemental on the dance floor, which meant I could dance as crazily as I wanted and people would join in... and that's exactly what I did all night.
I loved my experience at The Vale and recommend it for all RnB/Hip Hop lovers!
http://www.barsandnightclubs.com.au/brisbane/all/calamvale_hotel_(pressure_lounge)
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