w8sn, boy you'll be cutting it fine if you have a 5 hour layover, means you'll need to be at the airport 90 mins before departure, leaves you with 3 1/2 hours to go around, unless you've factored in a full 5 hours free time.

The quickest way to the fish markets is by cab, the fare - about A$30 each way. The fish markets are very much a non-event. You could catch the train to Central Station ($11.80 each way), then take a 5 min walk to railway square bus stop and catch the 443 Pyrmont bus (have a look at http://www.sta.nsw.gov.au for exact routing, fare would be $1.60 each way) but it goes past pyrmont and is probably only a 5 min walk from the best dropoff point to the fish markets. from the fish markets you'll be about a 10 minute walk to the Star City casino and about a further 5 mins to Darling Harbour.

Unfortunately Friday is a work day for me so I won't be able to help out, if you need more tips, let me know, to save A$30 all up, really isn't worth the bother, I would catch a cab, make sure they take you via Newtown from the Airport rather than through the city (slower and toll).

QF WP, sorry to hear you can't make it....

JohnSydney2000: Added to the tenative list.

I'm in SYD from the 12th, if I don't lock down a place by then I will "recon" a venue real time

I do plan to see if it is possible to just book a table somewhere... those who want to stick around for dinner can, those who have to run after a drink or two can do so...

If anyone is bringing a guest/friend? let me know. I'm going to see about booking up a place this week. 6PM'ish, those who want to hang around for dinner can, those who need to leave after a drink can do so.

That was a sensational place for a FT dinner last month it really was. HOWEVER, we were lucky and picked a MONDAY evening!

It is a Zoooo there on Fridays, as indeed are most places in the CBD, as the "TGIF" crowd here is no different than any other large city.

I saved us $52 on that other place using Entertainment book coupons, and just got this email this week which may interest?

Kingsleys Prime Steakhouse

7 Bridge Street, Sydney. Phone: (02) 9252 7777

Set in a beautiful, historic, high-ceilinged dining room, Kingsleys latest addition to their King Street Steakhouse has proved to be another success. Kingsleys maintains a high level of service through their professional staff. They also offer an interesting and extensive wine list.

Of course, not forgetting the top quality steak that Kingsleys is famous for, dining there will certainly be a memorable experience. Please ensure you call to make a reservation. Open for lunch Monday to Friday and dinner Monday to Saturday. Fully licensed.

Offer: You and your guests are invited to enjoy 25% off the TOTAL BILL, up to $36 value. Card Number: 187.

Please use this offer before November 30th, 2003.

I have 2 x Ent cards, so that saves $72, and if someone else from SYD has one (or more) we are $108 or $144 ahead. As this applies to booze as well it is a useful deal. However depending on numbers attending there are a ton of "free main with each paid main" for CBD, and for 4 or 6 folks they are pretty useful.

I phoned Kingsleys now to see what expected numbers are like for Fridays - but being Sunday noon here they are not open! I left a message and asked them to phone and also to fax or email the menu to eyeball it in case this place sounds OK to those here.

Location is VERY central being abut a 5 minute walk from the Rocks or the Westin etc.

However we booked today a UA mileage run to the USA and to Hawaii leaving on 23rd October, so we are out for the 24th.

Friday (or any day around that time) October 10th works if something suits others around then. As mentioned Friday would be the LEAST suitable day probably, as far as finding a place where we can sit somewhere relatively quietly.

Willyroo and NickP 1K and Latitudes at least seems to be in town Monday 13 - how does that fit in with others?

Ozstamps, thanks for this... We may take you up on this offer...

For Mon the 13th, I'm in SYD meeting up with another FT'er, email me if you want to tag along.

QF WP,

Sorry to hear you won't be attending. I met JohnSydney2000 in the Concorde Room at JFK before our BA002 on Oct 3 and he said many kind words about you. We will have to meet another day.

i'm not so sure kingsley's has the right atmosphere, it is opposite the exchange and generally has a business crowd and is usually very quiet in the evenings, don't we won't to hang somewhere closer to the rocks? the main drag could be nicer - and there are plenty of other places in entertainment book in the rocks such as boulders, etc.

there is also a place nearby there which lets you cook your own steaks in a pub, can't remember the name though.

Kawoh.. Assuming you're confirmed for this now?

Is Boulders only a bar?

Hey nick, yep i should be in town, but boy that UA special to HNL is very very tempting, maybe i'll do it in Jan/Feb.

Boulders is a restaurant rather than a bar. Just thinking of places in the Rocks....

1/ that pub i can't remember the name of which lets you cook your own steaks

2/ wolfies (great views out to the opera house and harbour bridge)

3/ doyles (though v.expensive)

4/ they have a reasonable chinese restaurant in the same area nearby wolfies)

5/ belgian beer house (nice beer, haven't tried the food, not completely in the rocks, near ANA)

6/ lord nelson (old pub in australia and brew their own beer, eat downstairs - cheaper, avg food or upstairs - avg too but much more pricey) bottom of observatory hill/ near the observatory hotel

anyone interested in seeing a rugby world cup match?

i think there are A$10-A$25 tickets still available for

romania v argentina $25 (a class seating)
uruguay v georgia $10 (c class seating)

we could get some beer and a meal at either the paddington inn, fox studios (fox & lion), etc... before going... i think one match is around 21 oct.. other 28 oct or so..

Found the pub which lets you cook your own steaks in the rocks - it's called The Observer Hotel 69 George St, A$17-21

http://sydney.citysearch.com.au/E/V/...3/77/69/4.html

Also, if you want cheaper, there is the Metropolitan Hotel (near kingsley's cnr bridge and george st) which is A$7 steaks mon-thurs from 5pm, good atmosphere, good feel but not in the rocks.

http://www.metropolitanhotel.com.au/

Kawoh: We're locked for the Friday But let me know if you are around that Monday night as a mini-meet.

WORST, WORST case for the Friday, we can start off from the Four Seasons bar and settle into a place to get dinner in the Rocks or that end of the CBD (I hope to lock down the dinner venue with bar if possible early part of NEXT week once I get there unless someone has a MUST NOT miss place we need to book up now).

Added to say that first two rounds are on me


[This message has been edited by NickP 1K (edited 10-06-2003).]

Hi all

Depending on things this side of the Tasman, I may take Thai up on the cheap fare and come over for the weekend.

Would be nice to see you all.

Dave

Bump... I'm checking out venues over the next day or so that won't have an issue for 10 drinkers likely turning into a some diners... So if any one has anything else to consider respond. Goal is walking distance from the CBD/Rocks... For those who are just showing up, I'll have the first message in this thread updated with our proposed (and booked) venue and send emails out.

I'm proposing Wildfire.

Near the Passenger Cruise Terminal (Harbor area / Rocks).

See: http://www.wildfiresydney.com/