Reminiscence Avenue
July 18th 2007 08:59
John Barton, proprietor of the newly renovated Harold Park Hotel.
Ooh, please allow me this trip down reminiscence avenue (I used a thesaurus to avoid the cliché of memory lane).
I was all set to write a review on the film, West when I heard the news...The Harold Park Hotel in Glebe has reopened…
This was a regular place that my friends and I used to go to all the time when I was on the cusp of being legal in pubs. So yes, it was a while ago. I couldn’t tell you how many times we went there, the bands we saw, the pool we played (and I often won) and the laughs we had at the comedy nights. It was a smoky, dim, lager-smelling inner-city gem of a pub.
The pub has been closed for years now. We mourned when it happened. Watching it close, seeing the boards go up on the windows confirming its demise was painful. Every time I drove past I sighed and reminisced. I wasn’t that heartened when I saw the signs saying that it would be reopening. I knew it was next on the inner-city gentrification list. I knew that when it eventually opened it would be a different place. The good times were gone, we had only our memories to clasp onto and savour.
The hotel opposite the Glebe’s paceway hosted some of the world's top comedy acts and writers in the '80s and '90s and many of Sydney's up-and-coming bands. English comic Ben Elton did a few gigs there and even Hollywood star Robin Williams dropped in for a couple of impromptu slots. Impressive huh? But it wasn’t the big names that attracted us. In fact I never saw any of the famous ones. We were more interested in the local comedians who had the balls to get up on stage and entertain. Apparently, according to the SMH comedian Akmal once described the Harold Park as "the best venue ever". I don’t know the bloke, but I might have to agree with him.
It took a really long time to reopen. Years. There were rumours that an approved development application for serviced apartments behind the hotel, so it was presumed the pub would stay closed. It was a sad time in Sydney's entertainment scene, with many pubs closing their doors to live entertainment and embracing poker machines. Just like The Lansdowne Hotel but I won’t talk about that, one pub at a time.
We knew that when it did eventually open, it would have a completely different look and atmosphere (we saw the signs saying so, we’re not cynical or psychic). Former licensee Simon Morgan said he sold and closed the pub in 1999 because Leichhardt Council refused to extend his licence to midnight. What mean council twits, didn’t they have a life? Apparently, now the new pub can stay open until midnight on Friday and Saturday nights, lucky ducks.
According to today’s SMH it is now open, but barely recognisable as the place it was. So we were right.
Tonight is its party night, which apparently is hoping to attract many comedians who performed there in the pub's heyday (incidentally a great album by The Church). The site went through a number of hands before ending up with developers Barton Corporation. According to Barton, "We're going turn [the Harold Park Hotel] back into the way it was." Well, we’ll see if he’s right.
The disbeliever in me says how can that be? It’s been closed for about 5 years, how can they ever recapture what it was? Sometimes I don’t mind change, it is a certain part of life, but I’m not sure I’ll be in a big hurry to hop in there yet. They closed their back on me and it’ll take some time for me to trust them again.
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
Sorry Tracy.. I don't imbibe...didn't need the dictionary, guess the brain game must be working...well, most of the time anyway.
I know, you were worried I'd cry plagiarism if you used memory, oh, I understand.
Well, well, well, if I let you use memory will you let me use reminiscence [hope I spelled that right, no peeking].
I'm off to memory lane, just to check out the place, expect they'll let me in, I'll pretend I am one of the comedians, they're bound to think that's a great joke.
See you there, is that your dog? Nice post, remembering.
katyzzz
Comment by Aimzster
Reality TV
The Jeepney Stop
First Time Mum
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I liked going to the Marly in Newtown when it was still a pub and not a bar.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Nickoftime's Sanity Corner
sounds like a really good place to sit down, have a drink and a good laugh and go home happy!
I'm so glad it reopened...not enough places you can go nowadays where you can go to have some good clean fun with your mates is there?
Great read, liked the trip down reminisce avenue!
Take care,
Nick
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for joining me for my jaunt. You're exactly right:
That's what we would do quite often!
It was such a Sydney icon....I'm not sure I'm ready to see it now it's so different. But as the soppy saying goes, 'we always have the memories'.
Byeee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, I think that's the key thing, pubs are becoming bars. You're right. And it seems peculiar in inner-city places like Newtown.
I'm not saying that bars are awful places, but they're just not my thing especially when they take the place of pub that is well-loved they way it is.
I forgot about The Marlborough, great example of gentrification gone wrong. But having said that, I like the upstairs bit so now I'm sounding like a hypocritical nit-wit. But hopefully you get my gist. My gripe is when these great Aussie pubs with personality morph into sanitised, poker-machined, brightly lit 'bars' with no character. Have you seen The Bank Hotel now? It is so different.....and so is the music. We used to play pool with Nirvana, The Smiths and lots of other faves in the background and now it's all housey dancey music. I know I'm sounding like an old codger and I do like dancey music (or whatever it's called nowadays), but I miss my old haunts. And so do my friends....but the Townie hasn't changed....and on some level it could do with a bit of an uplift! Just slightly, nothing radical...
I'd better wrap up my comment as it's turning into a moaning essay.
Byeee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
You're right and isn't there a song about that? Hmmm, can't think of it at the moment. When I do, I'll sing it to you.
Byeee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Are you having memory issues like me? I learnt a new word from you: imbibe, thanks for that introduction.
Hope you enjoy your memory lane trip, I'm sure they'll let you in. We can have a drink together,
Byee
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I haven't been to The Bank for a couple of years....but King Street certainly has changed in the last 10 years.
I used to work in Newtown while I was at uni. But since having kids I haven't been there as often...when you haven't been for a while it is a major culture shock.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Mr Nice Guy
Pop Culturist
Pop Rock Factory
Not sure if I should traverse the city divide and revisit old memories - or (as I suspect) it will be more like the Mary Hopkins refrain "Those were The Days My Friends . . ."
Thanks for the post.
MNG
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Newtown is definitely a place of change. It always seems funny when a chain shop pops up like a burger bar or a 7/11. They always look so out of place, but at the same time, change is happening everywhere.
I think much of the change in Newtown is exciting although there are a few shops that I miss. But I can't live in the past...and the people don't seem to change, not even their clothes....
Byeee
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Yes, our paths might well have crossed....I love your description:
It's still a fantastic place and the addition of the Dendy has been brilliant. It's added to the cafe culture and its prices are reasonable (compared to other cinema conglomerates).
Thanks for popping in,
Tracy
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Chic Critique
I went to the Harold Park heaps as a twentysomething. One of my buddies was a budding comedian. (Sorry about the use of the word bud twice there. Actually in relation to Harold Park is seems a little appropriate
I saw heaps of comedians who are now regular radio and TV personalities (or hosts as the case may be). Adam Spencer, Wil Anderson, Akmal, Peter Berner and James O'Loughlin just to name a few. I too remember the Robin Williams night, only I heard about it from friends afterwards.
The Harold Park closed down around the same time other venues of our youth were disappearing. My friends and I had a cultural crisis. There was no Valhalla (that came back). There was no Annadale Hotel (that came back). The Stanmore Cinema closed. The big traditional fruitery / deli in Leichardt became this massive multiplex piazza. The grungy pubs with lounges and lamps got renovated and suddenly we were surrounded by doof doof, stainless steel and wood veneer. With nice lighting and cocktails.
No more navy bonds t-shirts, boy jeans with docs and drinking VB schooners while playing pool. And that's just the girls.
At least we still have the Hollywood.
I'm off to lament my youth, talk to you later.
Nice post though.....
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for your comments and I'm glad you've enjoyed the saunter as well.
It seems like we might've crossed paths as well...
I don't remember seeing anyone famous at the Harold Park (doesn't mean there weren't any), but I remember laughing a lot. Sound like you did too. Aaahh, such a great place.
Yes, I remember that time when other important places closed and then reopened. I'm still sad that the Valhalla is definitely gone now. I'm hoping that it will used wisely. I read in the local newspaper that it might be used as a media centre. I'm just hoping that whatever it's used for, that they don't tear down its heritage and change it completely. I'm still adjusting to Glebe with it closed, how will I cope if its appearance is cruelly altered?.
You've mentioned some interesting changes that I didn't know about (I was overseas for a few years):
So true, CC. Thank goodness we still have The Annandale. Let's hope nothing else too radical happens.....
Byeee
Comment by Miss Nomer
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Sorry I've taken so long to reply but I was out of action last week. It sounds like you lived in a place with lots of character. My husband and I also lived in Glebe near the water and we loved it. I love Glebe's atmosphere.
Tracy
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Sorry I’ve taken so long to reply but I was sick last week.
It sounds like your local pub has been pokerfied too, it’s always such a pity when it happens. And the tunes from those things are so annoying. Hope you’ve found a replacement pub you like,
Byee
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
In fact, it will be 14 years this coming August 6th...same day they flattened Hiroshima....and I felt just as badly in detox....
by the way, couldn't read all your post, as it seems your comments are partly off the screen...and can't get them back....odd...
cheers and yes still beers....non alcoholic variety for me...
fog
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Thanks for telling me about my wonky post, some very strange things have been happening to my blog, I couldn't even log in at one stage...one of the Orble experts is going to help me fix it and then normal service will be resumed.
Byeeeeeeeeee