20 replies to this topic

[Bi-Polar Bear]

I will be visiting family in Sydney, Australia the weekend of the Australian GP. I would like to watch the event live in the company of Aussie race fans.

Does anyone know of a group in the area that assembles to watch the races or of a pub that offers the race broadcast live? My base of operations in Sydney will be in the Pyrmont neighborhood.

Thanks

[Alfisti]

There is a sports bar heading over towards Darling Harbour. So from pyrmont head over towards the Pyrmont Bridge and about 5 minutes before you hit the bridge (at the top of the hill) there is a sports bar opposite a REALLY GOOD Thai place.

I suggest eating at the Thai place, get wine from the sports bar (they have a fridge with excellent $10 wines to choose from) then head over to watch the race if they are showing it. It's a Rugby lac emore than anything but just ask to watch the race, the owner and barmen are friendly.

[Rogue]

Grab a cheap flight to Melbourne and watch the race live!

[KLN]

most sydney race fans will be in melbourne.
we've never had a place really that showed it live before (except for melbourne) really.
but now that it's on Channel 10 live we all stay home and watch it.

[repcobrabham]

any decent pub will switch one of their TVs to the race for you but i'm not sure you'll get more than a few other drinkers paying even cursory attention. re. alfisti's directions, perhaps you could keep walking to darling harbour and find the 'one world sports bar': they'll definitely have it on the big screen and should attract a few genuine enthusiasts too.

[gerry nassar]

If you can get yourself to Melbourne that day it would be good - its an hour flight. Otherwise, as the others have said - it will be live on TV so most good pubs should have it.

[krapmeister]

Will it be in HD on the 'new' ONE HD channel? Or SD images?

I'm hoping its true HD - will be watching it at home this year, went fri/sat/sun last year but was rediculously hot...

[SchuOz]

ONE will start in a week.
I hope they show F1 quali live on it this year.

Alfisti, whats the name of this place?

[Alfisti]

Originally posted by SchuOz
ONE will start in a week.
I hope they show F1 quali live on it this year.

Alfisti, whats the name of this place?

NO IDEA. I'm going back a few years too but there is a street that leads directly off the pyrmont bridge up the hill into pyrmont itself. Coming back the other direction, just before you start heading down the hill the bar is on a side street to the right with a Thai place opposite, it's a rugby bar with a bottle-O ... nice place.

[Bi-Polar Bear]

Thanks to all. I am staying about 2 blocks from the Pyrmont Bridge, so this is great information.

I had hopes of seeing the race live, but the arrangements with family just wouldn't come together for us all, so watching it on TV is the only option.

Having seen the racing live at Indy and in Montreal, one really does see much more of the action on the tube. But the sounds and sights of the cars and the crush of the fans really have to be experienced in person.

The best option is to attend the race live for the sights and sounds and then go home and watch the race on the DVR to see what happened!

[Alfisti]

Originally posted by Bi-Polar Bear

Having seen the racing live at Indy and in Montreal, one really does see much more of the action on the tube. But the sounds and sights of the cars and the crush of the fans really have to be experienced in person.

Not sure about Indy but as good as the event is at Montreal, Melbourne has far better viewing options and is much better run from a human traffic perspective.

[Bi-Polar Bear]

Montreal is a DREADFUL place for the fan. The sanitary facilities are barbaric. The walk in and out from the Metro station reminds one of the trek of the Israelites through the trackless desert and one is only permitted to sit in your assigned seat even for practice and qualifying.

Indy, on the other hand, has quite excellent facilities for the fans and you can sit anywhere there is an available seat any time except during the actual race. It is a pity the F1 poohbahs look down with such disdain on Indy. Yes, the infield section is a bit "mickey mouse" but the city itself is quite vibrant while the Grand Prix circus is in town. Yeah, its not Monte Carlo, but its not the "cow town" the F1 types make it out to be.

If there is any actual racing this coming weekend in Melbourne (what with the diffuser difugulty), I will try to find the pub you mention, Alfisti. If any care to join me, I will be the fellow with the white beard and the BAR hat!

[Alfisti]

Originally posted by Bi-Polar Bear
If any care to join me, I will be the fellow with the white beard and the BAR hat!

Love to join you but i'm in another hemisphere ;)

[mclarensmps]

one is only permitted to sit in your assigned seat even for practice and qualifying.

I would disagree with this information! But you are right about other stuff.

[Alfisti]

HEre is a map, that is Darling harbour to the right and I assume you are coming down Union street to hit the Pyrmont bridge.

The pub is either Union + Harris or Union + Pyrmont St or one of the streets that crosses with union anyway. It's on the right heading towards the Pyrmont bridge.

[Ultra150]

And a hearty hello to the Bi-Polar Bear.

[cheapracer]

Doesn't matter where you go, ask and make sure the TV is going to stay on the F1 and some jerkoff isn't going to turn the cricket/footy/rugby on midway through. Many Sports Bars have a set time for events too and they advertise it in the bar so don't complian if the TV gets turned over and you didn't check because you will be told to go and get ....

[Bi-Polar Bear]

I would disagree with this information!


I can only speak from my own experience, of course. I well remember attempting to sit in an other wise nearly empty section during Friday practice and being barred because I did not have tickets for those seats. Perhaps it was a case of one overly assertive attendant.

And Hello, Ultra. Thanks for the lead over to this place. SOME of these people seem to actually know what they are talking about!

And finally, a huge thank you to Alfisti for the map. That's going above and beyond the call of duty, sir.

[clipper]

Originally posted by cheapracer
Doesn't matter where you go, ask and make sure the TV is going to stay on the F1 and some jerkoff isn't going to turn the cricket/footy/rugby on midway through. Many Sports Bars have a set time for events too and they advertise it in the bar so don't complian if the TV gets turned over and you didn't check because you will be told to go and get ....

I would agree with cheap racer here about the pubs might want to show the rugby league or AFL game which may be on at the same time. All it takes is 2 or 3 more people in a pub to ask for the footy and you'll be overruled.

[Alfisti]

Originally posted by clipper


I would agree with cheap racer here about the pubs might want to show the rugby league or AFL game which may be on at the same time. All it takes is 2 or 3 more people in a pub to ask for the footy and you'll be overruled.

No rugby league on that late on a Sunday and no one in sydney gives a rats about Aussie rules. Cricket is done too though maybe some super 14 rugby is on.

[KLN]

Confirmed. rugby leage games are on at 2pm and 3pm on sunday, so should be nearly over by 5pm