Overview
During the past two months of lockdown, we've done plenty of solo dancing in our lounge rooms, with online nightclubs, virtual DJ sets and charity music festivals providing the tunes. But, from today, Friday, May 15, you can round up nine of your mates and head out for a night of shape-making at your own private disco in the city.
NSW's newly eased restrictions, which came into force today, allow 'food and drink premises' to reopen to dine-in customers, but for a maximum of ten at a time. This isn't financially viable for all — indeed, many venues have decided not to open their doors until the restrictions ease further — but some are trying it out, and offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences, like private discos.
Prince of York Co-Owner Paul Schulte is one of those taking a risk. "We're going to open our doors on Friday and see how it goes," Schulte said. "We're all about bringing people together and that's what we've missed most these past few months. Since we can't open as we normally could... We're turning Prince of York into your own private venue with dinner and a disco."
Ground floor by Kimberley Low
The three-level CBD venue — a restaurant, bar and nightclub — is letting you and nine mates hire out the entire venue for the night. For a minimum spend of just $100 a head.
You can spend that money however you like, too — on a long dinner (with spicy meatballs, rigatoni, hanger steak and boozy tiramisu) or spread it across a selection of snacks (smoked mortadella, crab sandwiches, burrata) and cocktails. You do, in line with the government's new restrictions, have to eat though — you can't go dropping $1000 on booze.
For the disco side of things, the team will help you create a playlist or you can hire your own DJ, and you'll get free rein of Pamela's. If you're not familiar with the basement-level nightclub at Prince of York, Pamela's is an ode to Schulte's mum — who loved champagne, tequila and disco — filled with pink suede banquettes and sturdy terrazzo tables that, yes, you are allowed to dance on.
Pamela's by Kimberley Low
If you're one of the unlucky Aries or Tauruses whose birthday landed during the COVID-19 lockdown, this may be the perfect, belated, way to celebrate.
"There are so many people who missed opportunities to celebrate birthdays, milestones, or maybe they've just missed their mates," said Schulte. "We're setting Prince of York up to be the place where you can unwind with your mates safely and enjoy being looked after with the venue to yourself."
The venue will be open to bookings of all sizes (up to ten) from Monday–Thursday, but on Friday and Saturday you'll need a minimum spend of $1000 to secure the venue. You can lock in a two-hour slot at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 8.30pm on any of the days.
The offering is only available for a limited time, of course, until restrictions are eased further. So, we suggest you hop to it if you want to organise a night of pasta, cocktails and dancing on tables with your nearest and dearest for just 100 clams a head.
Prince of York is open for private bookings up to ten from Monday–Saturday, with a minimum spend of $1000 required on Friday and Saturday. To make your reservation — at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm or 8.30pm on one of those days — email hello@princeofyork.com.au or call (02) 8066 0550.
Images: Kimberley Low.