Seasons @Mercure Sydney Airport - Special Fly and Stay Package - from $209 - Overnight accommodation for 2 a…
Special Fly and Stay Package - from $209 - Overnight accommodation for 2 adults and up to 7 nights car parking with complimentary return shuttle bus for 2 to domestic or international airport.

DJs Matt Roan and Koncept
A party on the rooftop deck and patio includes Coors Light bottles and Absolut, Jameson and Malibu cocktails.

New - Breadworks: Tennozu Isle
Luxuriously spacious and modern in feel, this combination bakery-cafe is a comfortable place to relax with a coffee and pastry, or a quiche, cup of soup and salad. There’s also a bit of outdoor seating overlooking the adjacent canal. Take-out breads include tempting savory creations like gorgonzola-walnut and bacon-rosemary rolls, as well as focacia, whole-grain loaves, bread made with beer yeast (from TY Harbor Brewery next door) and assorted pastries and cakes.

Twenty Eight
Tokyo knows how to do hotel bars. Sophisticated, classic, calming spaces where one can really relax. Twenty Eight is the perfect example. The hotel bar at the Conrad is stylishly if unadventurously designed, decorated in lots of soft, muted colours and warmly lit…

The Tabard has links to the Arts and Crafts movement
The Tabard was built as part of the development of the Bedford Park estate.

Dalai Lama’s 75th Birthday Celebrations - Tibet Festival in Park (3rd Jul 10)
On the 3rd of July 2010 ?Dalai Lama?s 75th birthday: Tibet festival in the Park? will be held at the Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park in London, SE1, the site of the Tibetan Peace Garden and located nex…

The Foresters is another decent pub in Forest Hill
All Inn One/The Foresters still retains both names, even after changing to the All Inn One restaurant and bar years back

Cassette NYC at Public Assembly
It?ll be a hot time with loads of tropical funk tonight.

Awsomeness

Backlit Lounge SF at the Rx Gallery

Backlit Lounge SF - A Monthly Event featuring Live Electronic Musicians

Moonshadow Grille - A myer gift voucher to the value of $150 will be yours for booking a functi…
A myer gift voucher to the value of $150 will be yours for booking a function for 60 people or more at moonshadow grille over the next 6 months. The voucher will be presented to you when final payment is made.

Mrs Top - Thursday Night is Chateaubriand night at Mrs. Tops. Come and enjoy the best…
Thursday Night is Chateaubriand night at Mrs. Tops. Come and enjoy the best of the traditional French Cuisine: Classic Châteaubriand; the extravagantly cut roast from the centre of the beef tenderloin ONLY $30 - BYO with no corkage.

Nightclub Photography Tips

Shutter Speed Settings

To get rich, vibrant, colorful nightclub photos, nightlife photographers need to use slower shutter speeds than they might be used to. With a slower shutter speed, your camera has time to suck in more ambient light, creating a brighter, more colorful image.

For this image of Busta Rhymes, I used a shutter speed of 0.3 seconds. This means the camera’s shutter stays open for 0.3 seconds, which forced the club lights in the background to really pop out in a wash of color.

But with longer shutter speeds, it is harder to keep the image crisp and sharp. Any movement from your subjects will tend to create a blur. In a rowdy nightclub environment, it’s hard to keep people still for a photo.

To learn how I keep the subject sharp, even with a long shutter speed, check out my nightlife photography guide below:

Get a Nightclub Photographer to Notice You
If you happen to be out at a club and notice a Nightlife Photographer wandering around snapping photos, here are some tips on getting the photographer to notice you:

Kiss for the Camera!

If you happen to be out at a club and notice a Nightlife Photographer wandering around snapping photos, here are some tips on getting the photographer to notice you:

#1: Make sure you have a skimpy or wild outfit on. The more skin that shows, the better.

#2: Don’t be afraid to track down the photographer and ask for a photo.

#3: Make eye contact with the nightclub photographer from across the room and smile.

#4: If you’re a chick, make out with the girl next to you.

#5: If you’re a chick, make out with the Nightclub Photographer.

#6: If you’re a dude, make sure you have at least 3 sexy girls with you.

#7: Don’t be afraid to have a wardrobe malfunction. It’s natural.

#8: Buy the photographer a drink!

A nightclub photographer doesn’t have time and isn’t paid enough to take photos of everyone at the club, so you have to go out of your way to catch his or her eye if you want to end up on the club’s website the next day.

The absolute best way to guarantee your photo will show up in the nightclub photo gallery is to dress hot, do something crazy, and kiss the photographer while handing him a drink!

Scorpions Kiss @ Exit 66
DJ Joe Dert pushed his product on the Ft. Lauderdale crowd that packed the walls of Exit 66, the newest nightclub by the guys behind the Crobar brand. A mashup of rock & hip hop kept everyone moving on the large dancefloor, while they took advantage of free drinks till midnight!

Scorpions Kiss @ Exit 66

DJ Joe Dert pushed his product on the Ft. Lauderdale crowd that packed the walls of Exit 66, the newest nightclub by the guys behind the Crobar brand. A mashup of rock & hip hop kept everyone moving on the large dancefloor, while they took advantage of free drinks till midnight!

Miami Dolphins footballer Chris Brown was there soaking up the club’s fun & quirky atmosphere at a table with friends. Exit 66 is on the path to becoming a great addition to the South Florida nightlife scene.

Swedish House Mafia ? Miami WMC
South Beach Nightlife got a good jolt of energy when the Swedish House Mafia boys took over Mansion for the Miami Winter Music Conference. Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso brought the crowd on a wild ride of house music bliss over the course of the night.

Swedish House Mafia @ Miami WMC

South Beach Nightlife got a good jolt of energy when the Swedish House Mafia boys took over Mansion for the Miami Winter Music Conference. Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso brought the crowd on a wild ride of house music bliss over the course of the night.

The capacity crowd was filled with beautiful people from all over the world, making for yet another sexy night of WMC mayhem!

That’s been my process, and I’ve arrived at a place where the more sour the beer, the happier I am. If the bartender has to warn me about the brew when I order it, so much the better. Sour brews can be tough to find when you’re in the mood for one, but when you do stumble across a mouth-puckering brew in a sea of barley and malt, it’s truly a thing of beauty. Since the beer scene in Chicago is changing as quickly as it ever has (at least in the past few years), always check first before making one of these places a destination for a sour. Who knows - I might have already beaten you to them.

Sour Selection: New Belgium’s La Folie
Found At: Jerry’s Sandwiches (Division)

If your experience with New Belgium is limited to the flurry of Fat Tire mania that erupted when the Colorado brewery first began distribution in Chicago, consider digging deeper into its ever-expanding roster of locally available beers. The “Lips of Faith” is hyper-sour and can be found from time to time around the city (and is what prompted the aforementioned “are you sure you want that?” from a bartender), but the La Folie is a kinder, gentler wood-aged sour.

You can find 22-ounce bombers of La Folie at Jerry’s on Division for $20, and then pair it with one of the restaurant’s many sandwiches (over a hundred to choose from). Want to choose your menu item first and then find the proper brew for it? In addition to the La Folie, the eatery has dozens of beers in bottle and on draft, making Jerry’s a very underrated beer destination in a city that grows richer with beer bars every day.

Sour Selection: Monk’s Cafe Flemish Ale
Found At: Hackney’s (Printers Row)

Even though it was originally brewed for Philadelphia’s Monk’s Cafe, this Flemish Sour can be found in many places outside the city of Brotherly Love, including Chicago. A nice mix of sweet and sour, this 11.2-ounce bottle might remind you of wine in many ways, which is an okay thing for beers of this type. Without being overwhelming on the palate, Monk’s Flemish is light-to-average bodied and is a good median sour for when you don’t want to blow out your taste buds.

When you hear Hackney’s, you probably think “big burgers on black rye,” immediately followed by “onion loaf.” It’s time to add a third instant response: “a lot of good beer.” Besides the Monk’s sour, the Printers Row location recently had beers like the Surly Bender, North Coast’s Old Rasputin and Bell’s Oarsman on hand, all top-notch selections.

Sour Selection: Dogfish Head’s Festina Peche
Found At: Long Room

While the Festina Peche is not a traditional sour or Flemish ale, the overwhelming tartness of this brew will definitely quell your need for a face-puckering beverage. The Peche is a BerlinerWeiss brewed with peach sugars, which interact with the yeast to make a fruity yet incredibly tart and complex beer. It’s not terribly strong (4.5 ABV) but that doesn’t mean you can down these like water; the Peche can be almost overwhelming. If you’re expecting a fruit beer going into it (like a cherry or blackberry ale), you’re going to be quite surprised.

The Long Room doesn’t have a lot of competition in the area of the Irving & Ashland intersection (although Ten Cat Tavern - ironically almost kitty corner to the Long Room - certainly is a quality bar as well) but the bar continues to improve its selection nonetheless. It’s hosted an unveiling of Moaten, a sour beer brewed by both Two Brothers and Belgian brewer Urthel, and stocks plenty of other beer-dork thrillers like Bell’s Hopslam on draft.

Sour Selection: Goose Island Juliet
Found At: Map Room

Up until this point, we’ve been focusing on beers that might not have a huge distribution and are found at places that might not get the recognition they deserve. But now we’re going to diverge from that path with a hometown brew at an old standby - Goose Island’s Juliet at the Map Room. Believe it or not, for as much hype as the Map Room gets for having a crazy selection of beers, sours are as underrepresented there as they are anywhere else. (Though some might say that you don’t need much more than Juliet and Lips of Faith).

The Juliet packs some tartness from the aging process; Goose Island lets it hang out in cabernet barrels for a while to let it soak in some sour, and also adds blackberries to the mix for good measure. The folks at GI claim it’s a good beer for fans of pinot noirs, and we think it’s a good way to ease into the world of sour ales, as it’s a milder version of the style. Once you’ve got your brain wrapped around it, grab a Lips of Faith and let ‘er rip.

Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals!

Where to Watch the White Sox

photo: courtesy of Bridget Cicenia; pictured: Jack Schaller of Schaller’s Pump

If you’ve never visited Sox country, you need to know one thing: It ain’t like Wrigleyville. The bars land more than a pop-fly distance from the Cell; you can actually park your car outside the stadium; and the shine of the World Series trophy has just started to fade (to be replaced by another one this year?). Whatever happens, it won’t keep Sox fans from their favorite pre- and post-game watering holes. Win or lose, we’ll get you good ‘n’ sauced while cheering on the “good guys.”

Do you bleed Cubby blue? Check out these bars instead.

Schaller’s Pump
This legendary Bridgeport bar, with many Chicago mayors practically making it a second City Hall, steeps with political history. Like a century-old campaign promise (Schaller’s has been open since 1881), they’ll serve you cheap beer and chow with cheer. The building screams serious Sox territory: A huge mural decorates one side, proclaiming “Welcome White Sox Fans” to the rallying crowds of diehards that pack the place during every game. Inside, nary a mention of the local National League team is uttered, so order a plate of corned beef hash and bask in the revelry of your fellow fan.

Cork & Kerry
We couldn’t spew a discussion of Sox bars without mentioning an Irish pub. This Irish-to-the-core Beverly bar hides pure black-and-white baseball beneath its green veneer. And even though you’ll have to trek a fair distance from the park, its promise of a warm, wood-paneled interior, beautiful beer garden and TVs broadcasting the Sox makes it worth the haul. For your trouble, you’ll score $7.50 buckets of five domestic beers on Tuesday and Sunday, draft beers like Guinness, Harp, Bass and Smithwicks and access to one of the area’s largest selections of Irish whiskey. If you need another reason to go, we strongly suggest you reconsider your affiliation. Shinnick’s
Another old-school Bridgeport boozer, Shinnick’s takes fanaticism so far it posts a White Sox tribute on its website. If you want to view clips of the stadium opener or a three-minute film covering the tavern’s World Series insanity, shinnicks.com covers it. Alas, if you want a drink, you’ll have to stop by in person. Family-run for three generations, the pub’s solid offerings include barbecue eats and baggo (AKA beanbags, cornhole or whatever you want to call it). Bottles cost $2.50, and don’t expect fancy-pants specials or quality brews. With liquor setting you back no more than $4, what else could you need? Perhaps, some change for the jukebox. We’re willing to bet it stocks Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin.”

Seven Ten Lounge
This Lincoln Park bowling outpost hints at being a tried-and-true Sox bar in its description of upcoming events: “During all the White Sox Games and St. Louis Cardinal games, we show all games at all times on the MLB package!” Notice the gaping hole of coverage where the Cubs should be. Rolling strikes while the struggling Sox try to find the strike zone couldn’t be more fun, plus $3 Coors Light and $1 hot dogs and chili dogs during the games will keep you sated. In the off-chance you see a Cubs game playing, track down the interloper who requested it; despite its North Side locale, Seven Ten makes it clear that Cubby blue sits firmly in the minority here.

Shoeless Joe’s
Legendary Black Sox Joe Jackson can’t get into the Hall of Fame after all these years, but at least you can hoist a drink at his namesake bar. It’s not a Sox bar, per se, but the owner bleeds black and white, so that’s good enough for us. Sure, it sponsors trips to Wrigley and the Cell, and wines by the glass top the drink list rather than brewskies, but we must recognize that not all baseball fans are so segregationist in their sports leanings. Some fans can appreciate fine vintages and teams from both sides of town.

Ricobene’s
You can work up an appetite watching all this Sox action. Head to a secluded spot right next to the highway (you actually park under the Dan Ryan) for the famous breaded steak sandwich, a meal in itself. If it takes you awhile to finish (and to clean up the red sauce on your fingers), don’t worry; the game will be on any of several TVs scattered around the dining room.

Catcher’s Inn
Everywhere you look in this small neighborhood bar you’ll find reminders of its proximity to U.S. Cellular Field (it’s about four blocks away); from the mini pennants and posted schedules to the black and white checkered ceilings, you’re sure to feel at home here if you root for the Sox. Daily beer specials abound, and there’s the occasional open mic night in case you get the urge to belt out some Journey after a win.

Cobblestones Bar and Grill
Serving a typically older crowd of Sox fans since 1990, Cobblestones brings some New Orleans charm to the South Side via its muffaletta sandwiches, served in a classic bar outfitted in plenty of dark wood. If you’re tired of battling traffic, make the bar a part of your game-day experience; come in for a meal or drink before the game and you can park in the adjoining lot (just a short walk to the ballpark) for free.

Kroll’s South Loop
The Chicago version of this Green Bay institution (the original is located directly across the street from Lambeau Field) smartly steers away from football. And even though both baseball teams are represented with memorabilia, it’s clear from the crowd that the Sox are the main draw. During game time, you’ll be able to watch Mark Buehrle and others on the more than 20 flat screens lining the place. Any other time, you might see them in the flesh, enjoying Kroll’s burgers and beers. On Opening Day, the bar offers $12 buckets of MGD, MGD 64 and Miller Lite; if you’re going to the game, bring your ticket stub in for 10 percent off your tab.

More Opening Day deals: Mitchell’s Tap
This small neighborhood bar hosts its annual barbecue at 11 a.m.; grab brats, burgers and more in the backyard before watching the game inside.

Buffalo Wings & Rings (Bridgeport)
WBBM-670 The Score will be broadcasting live from this wingery between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.; if you’ve got tickets to the game, you can grab a $4 shuttle to the park at 11:30 a.m.

Morgan’s Bar and Grill on Maxwell Street
Be one of the first 50 patrons at this confusingly named bar and you’ll get a free shuttle ride over to the stadium - or you can just stay and enjoy $12 buckets of Miller Lite and $5 Bacardi cocktails.

Check out Centerstage Chicago food and drink deals!

New - Breadworks: Tennozu Isle
Luxuriously spacious and modern in feel, this combination bakery-cafe is a comfortable place to relax with a coffee and pastry, or a quiche, cup of soup and salad. There’s also a bit of outdoor seating overlooking the adjacent canal. Take-out breads include tempting savory creations like gorgonzola-walnut and bacon-rosemary rolls, as well as focacia, whole-grain loaves, bread made with beer yeast (from TY Harbor Brewery next door) and assorted pastries and cakes.