Penny Black

Penny Black

420 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
www.thepennyblack.com.au

BarAmigo’s two pesos – Lively, busy and a real mix of personalities… and a pumping outdoor area.

When visited – Sat 11 Feb 2012 11.30pm to 1am

Late on a Saturday night, Penny Black is a pumping lively venue which is generally pretty packed. Grab a drink and hit the dancefloor… whether its with the dj or with a band.

The outdoor bar at Penny Black around 11.15pm on a Saturday night

We’ve started off with a few quiet (or not so quiet) drinks at Brunswick Green and feel it’s time to move on. Something more lively and active is on the cards. I’ve always heard of Penny Black being a decent venue on a Saturday night but never had the opportunity to drop by… well here’s my chance.

At 11.30pm there’s no line. Great to walk straight in. But the fact that there isn’t a line doesn’t mean its empty inside. It’s quite the opposite actually. Penny Black doesn’t seem like one of those venues to make you line up just for show.

Inside Penny Black it’s really busy. Well not that busy immediately inside because the band just took a break but the beer garden is certainly packed. Plenty of people outside enjoying the summer’s evening and also grooving along to the dj. The marquees help provide that balance between being totally outdoors and undercover. No matter what the weather is like, the crowd at Penny Black will be fine.

The dance floor at Penny Black... yes I know its a blurry photo but that's all I have

There’s so many people around the dancefloor outside that you really do need to push your way through the crowd to get to the bar. Cause of the crush, it’s not the most orderly bar line but you do end up getting served after a short while. The staff do a good job with heaps of people around.

Crowd wise it’s pretty young. Early 20s (or even late teens) through mid-late 20s. You might be feeling old if you’re in your early-mid 30s. Pretty casual dress with t shirts and jeans the go for guys. Chicks in jeans but some in dresses/skirts. Quite a few girls in heels dancing the night away.

Music from the dj is kind alternative dance. Regurgitator… gotta love them. And sorry that I can’t remember any other songs to give you a feel of the music. But regardless of the music, people are up and dancing and creating that lively atmosphere.

It’s a real mix of personalities here at Penny Black. Mix of hipsters and as my Italian mate says… wogs (I’m not actually sure if I can get away with that but anyway… I’ve said it). Something quite different and not the kind of crowd I usually hang around…

1am and its closing time unfortunately… we’re just starting to get moving… I’ve never actually seen bouncers so efficient at getting people out… Within 10 minutes we’re outside and wondering what to do next.

Check out Penny Black for a huge packed beer garden and to dance the night away. Kinda unique Melbourne crowd as well.

Salud
Eddie
BarAmigo – Your friend at the bar

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