STROBE LIGHTS ARE GROWING EVER DIMMER FOR NIGHTCLUBS

Those Glitter Strip magnets of yesteryear are being pushed aside by burgeoning urgeoning restaurantrestaura and pub scene

IS IT last call for nightclubs?

It’s been a long time between drinks for me – being a 41-year-old mum of two who refers to staying up past 9pm as “bad-arsing” – so I wouldn’t know.

If I actually went out to the heart of Surfers to discover if clubs are still pumping, I would most likely literally die.

But something tells me the scene is not the same. And that something is the 20-somethings I know.

Even the king of Kings Cross John Ibrahim has abdicated his throne, declaring the realm of Sydney nightclubs worthless. Are we on the same path?

My sources tell me the Glitter Strip still attracts plenty of uni students and international visitors, but most locals over their early 20s are over it.

I can’t say I blame them. Even when I was the target market in the glory days of clubbing, I didn’t really enjoy it.

Of course, that didn’t actually stop me from hitting them every weekend.

In my day, being a cardcarrying Grunge Girl with purple hair, a nose ring and a thing for boys in bands, The Party was where it was at.

For mainstream relief, upstairs there was Cocktails and Dreams (reached via stairs … just beyond the incredibly disgusting toilets.)

Benson’s was a frequent favourite to get the night started, thanks to their $1 drinks. Shaker of Illusions or Fruit Tingles anyone?

And then there was Billy’s Beach House. It was the club that was permanently friendzoned. Everyone kind of liked it, but nobody loved it.

I, however, have a soft spot for the now-deceased Billy’s … despite its awful soundtrack ( Grease Megamix, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Rhythm is a Dancer … Full disclosure: my husband and I had our first kiss there to Young MC’s Bust a Move).

Despite many a night finishing in the morning sunshine, even in our tipsy prime we knew it wasn’t really that great. There was just nowhere else to go.

The restaurant scene back then had few choices.

Actually, it did have Choices. As in the “upmarket” sibling to Sizzlers.

There was also Joe’s Brasserie in Broadbeach with $1 pots and $1 plates of chips. Which was great until the place was shut down after it was discovered the restaurateur had painted over a dead rat in the kitchen rather than remove it.

But in these post-lockout law days, it’s our restaurant and pub scene that entices the bright young things, possibly followed by a trip to the casino for some laternight fun (OK, some things never change. Who doesn’t love finishing off with a daiquiri at the Big House?)

The 20-somethings would prefer a good meal, great drinks and even, conversation, than hang out in a club blaring out music you don’t really like, so you can’t even speak to your friends who you do actually like.

Kids these days even prefer the community events held by the city, like the Glow Festival in Bundall. When one of my young friends (who I could technically have given birth to … I know, shut up) announced she was attending this free community party, my husband couldn’t believe it. We were only there for our children, after all. And maybe the Cambus Wallace bar.

“Why isn’t she ‘out’ out?” he asked.

Because it turns out that the old way of going out, is literally out.

So is it RIP nightclubs? Or will a new generation breathe new life into the old girl? (Preferably not until my young girl is in her 30s, thanks.)

Regardless, it’s safe to say my relationship with Orchid Ave is dead and gone.

But we’ll always have the mild case of tinnitus, the really foggy memories ... and the husband.

ann.wasonmoore@news.com.au