Where Else...?

It's that tourism catch phrase... 'Where else but Queensland?' applied to the crystal clear waters of the far North, the sun and surf of the Gold Coast and the uptown beachcomber lifestyle of Noosa and surrounds that make that slogan pertinent to its claims... but where is Brisbane, the state's capital, in all this? It seems Brisbane doesn't have anything unique to offer the rest of Australia. Incorrect.

From literally the first step inside Cloudland, my eyes were widened, I didn't know where to look next and my breath was syncopated. This place will blow your mind. So it's a nightclub but the offer on art, design, architecture and detail in furnishing, beer selection and food is remarkable, and I have seen nothing like it in Australia. It's massive. There are four levels to the club that weave upwards overlooking a giant wall garden, complete with waterfall and covered in trees, creepers and vines. As you climb the stairs to each level, the far wall is a mural, below is the crowd from the entry (think the Can-Can scene in Moulin Rouge) and above there's an enormous retractable glass roof high in the sky that can open and close pending the Brisbane evening weather.

It's the place Melbourne would love to create if it had the space. And indeed Melbourne has done it - in parts. Whilst Cloudland is something of a spectacle and designer Nic Brunner's work is incredible, especially with transitions into and out of theme, it's not so original that you leave bragging (although I very nearly talked of nothing else, purely because I was so inspired that Brisbane was home to such a venue). Imagine Madam Brussels with Eurotrash above it, Long Room and Silk Road side by side, the beers of Cookie and Belgian Bier Cafe on tap and the buzz of Spice Market - all in one giant room. It's mad. The art works are nice but not unique, I did like the spontaneous suspended sculptures though as a sublime touch. But what this place does is brings it all together and offers a night out surrounded by creativity and choice, allowing punters to move around the different spaces within, forgetting about the traffic noises and drunk teenagers left outside.

Apparently it's open during the day also for lunch and arvo drinks which is also very cool and a new idea for the emerging 'super club' genre of venue.

It's worth checking it out and tell me 'where else' have you seen anything like it in Australia.

Verdict: Love, love, love (and in Brisbane!)

Cloudland. 641 Ann Steet, Fortitude Valley.

Tune in

I have always believed there to be two kinds of people: those who don't sing karaoke and those with brains. Whichever category you fall into, going to a karaoke bar is a right hoot. So what makes a good one? The song list is an integral part of the amateur soloist's decision because if you end up in the wrong place, you could end up singing something you only know four lines to, and that's because you heard it on a television commercial.

Also, should there be a stage, or should you hire a private booth? Do they allow drinks on the stage? Do they bring drinks to your booth? Recently, it has become even more popular, largely due to the weather i assume, for Melburnians to burrow underground or up high to some of the city's belter bars.

Here's my picks:
Chi Lounge - Little Bourke Street. Private booths with songs in multiple languages. They serve sake and charge minimum per head entry and then you just drink as much as you can (sort of, but you always leave happy)
Spice Market - next to the Hyatt on Russell. Moroccan-inspired lounge bar has a massive round harem room with a karaoke equipment and a great song list. The cocktail menu is a killer but there's plenty of cushions to ease the blow.
Charlton's - Coverlid Place. Recent discovery with all you could wish for... karaoke with great list, and a stage, and pool tables. Managed to murder only two songs with the assistance of much ale, yet did hear the best version of Babs' gem 'My Man' after some persuasion. And it was free which is not to be sneezed at.

There's many other spots though around town to tempt the vocal cords but a word of parting advice... when you've got a microphone - let it be your volume. Passion is everything when singing but so is pitch.