Sugar

I ventured into Sugar for the first time recently after a few drinks and food at Distill with some old friends. Naturally it was way too early to be going home so friends of friends told us to head over to Sugar because it was Wednesday night and the event that’s on Wednesday nights is ‘Mixed Tape’. Mixed tape is centered around old school hip hop, perfect! I love my urban music and I especially love the 90s which many regard as the genre’s silver age. Although the DJs liked to throw in a few of the newer songs in the mix like (God forbid…) ‘racks city’ now and then but it’s mainly the good old school variety.
The crowd is quite eclectic and I love how the place gives off a LGBT friendly vibe as mentioned by Michelle previously. The people here seem quite easy going and chilled, and not afraid to really get into the music. I don’t think the drinks were too expensive either and there are also some pool tables at the back if you want to get away from the dance floor for a bit. Also being located on Rundle street it’s a lot more tamed and nicer to venture into, the people have more ‘class’, and you don’t feel like you have to necessarily run home and take a bath in a tub of dettol after being around whores and sleezebags as you would if you were out on a Saturday night at one of Hindley street’s infamous seedy hang outs.
I must say the bouncers and the door girls there are some of the most polite people I have interacted with, well if I had to compare them with the pretentious, rude idiots at the other clubs down Hindley. It was a pleasant change from what I am used to which is nice. Oh we didn’t have to wait long to get in either. Probably was a minute or two.
BUT what I love about it the most is that it’s opened every night of the week! Seven days. Can you believe it?! In Adelaide?!
Check out their official Facebook page for more info, updates and the different events held out throughout the week:

When you «end up at Sugar» it’s «one of those nights»… you have fun but spend the majority of the next day putting the «what happened?» puzzle back together.

30/​12/​2011
It’s late Thursday night, you’re chillin’ at another nightclub. Your day was long and busy filled with… well…yelping, and shopping. The club you’re currently at on Hindley Street, well, sucks… so you’re on the hunt again for a better club.
Now as hard as that sounds… can I get a big YES for one dance club that’s actually open in Adelaide on a Thursday night! And it’s actually half-​decent.
Today my best friends and I enjoyed just sitting back, drinking and relaxing and yes having more shots. Mmm… let’s see how this one goes down… YUCK! the one shot my best friend gave me at the bar, had to be called, «P*ssy Tang.» It was the most disgusting shot EVER. I’ve been here before several years back, and they were playing jungle and reggae in front of a very small crowd. Was here last night, and a few things have changed, new DJ, new dance music, slightly more packed crowd. So I guess you gotta find out when the best nights/​times are… and go when your preferred music is playing, ‘cos if you choose the wrong night like we did, it gave me a false impression of what this club may actually be really like. Could’ve been more stars for me if I went on their best night.
The crowd is nice-​looking (as in, I feel safe when I looking around), the bartenders are cool and serve you up pretty quickly, and you can sit back and enjoy watching the crowd rip the dance floor all night long. Really? This dance club is open? REALLY?
My friend may have chosen the wrong night, because we were starving for food and got out of there in less than an hour.

Sugar has recently become my second home. It is one of those places where you head up to have a quiet drink and play a game of pool, then find yourself doing 10 tequila shots with a group of strangers at 4am in the morning. Yes this is a real example.
Sugar is open every night of the week, amazing for Adelaide, which barely has anything open after 11pm on a weeknight. There are pool tables that you can use whilst you still have semi-​decent hand-​eye coordination and the music is generally amazing. I recommend Wednesday nights, hip-​hop night. It is almost always packed and the music is a amazing– think Snoop Dogg– Drop it like it’s hot.
The bartenders are always friendly, as are the bouncers. You will become well acquainted with both after your fifth 4am departure.
Occasionally some big acts come down to play at Sugar, this is one of the only times you will need to pay a hefty door fee.

Sugar is my ‘Ye old faithful’. It’s open til godforsaken hours EVERY night of the week (which in Adelaide is a precious rarity to be relished). First successfully navigate the rabbit-​hole maze that passes for an entrance. With that mission accomplished you’ll discover a unique mix of suits and flip flops. Plus for those so inclined a distinctly LGBT friendly vibe, with all-​sorts a love mixing it up on the dancefloor. Enjoy the non-​commercial music and some very lush lounge spaces that feel like harem real estate. Most of all I enjoy a birds-​eye view of Rundle Street from the magnificent windows. If you want to add an Alice in Wonderland vibe get a teapot and sip juicy cocktail blends from gran-mama’s fine china… mmmm bliss! In a nutshell — sugar coated lassie-​like companion of the club world!

How did I end up at Sugar?
I’ve asked myself this question on countless occasions and as yet have failed to come up with an explanation. The most likely response is that Sugar is pretty much the only place open on the east side of town past 5:00am. But the logical answer is, why don’t you just go home!
Unfortunately, reason has failed me on many an occasion, in most instances transpiring from the innocent suggestion of one intoxicated participant that, «perhaps we might go have a quick look at Sugar.»
From this innocent suggestion, one thing leads to another and sure enough I subsequently find myself only to find myself postulating amoungst 47 sweaty dudes girating their pelvic regions in the direction of the one unfortunate lady foolish enough to come within 10 feet of the dance floor.
The most enjoyable part of a night out at Sugar is most likely the sound of the Magpies chirping as the day beaks on the walk home, having spent the money I had saved for a taxi on the unnecessary excesses of binge drinking.

Beyond the journey of 2 flights of stairs and some slightly hypnotic wall paper, lies a great club in the east end to relax, or go crazy.
The club has a modern feel, with good use of white space and a well designed bar stretched across the right hand side. There is a dance floor space to let your hair down, quiet booths for those who are looking for more intimate conversations, or pool tables are set up on the other side to distract the more socially awkward. TV screens are scattered about playing footage of 1950’s porn and local art is featured on the side wall. The venue’s open floorplan also overlooks Rundle Street.
The staff are friendly, and the bouncers have personality. They generally open after 9pm and the doors are usually open until the early hours of the AM. Last time I was there I was drinking shots of Raging Bull. My advice is to keep the Tabasco out of your eye.
Great place to stop by for a big night, no matter what day of the week.