Nightlife lasts longer in provinces

By CLAIRE TREVETT

Invercargill and Whangarei may be miles apart, but they share one vital nightlife characteristic: if you know where to go the party can last all night.

As Blair Snelling, a regular Whangarei man about town, puts it, "a good time depends on who you're with, not where you're at".

There was a theory in Whangarei not so long ago that every time a business closed a pub or nightclub would spring up in its place.

Ryan Antonio, 24, admitted he came from Ruawai so did not have much to compare Whangarei nightlife with.

"But I have been out in Auckland, and I don't really do anything different to what I do here anyway. Although I have been denied entry into night clubs because I've been too drunk. That doesn't really happen up here."

A night would usually start at home - "it doesn't cost as much" - and end at Danger Danger, which opened until 5am, and drinking was a crucial part of a good night out.

"I went into town once dressed as a priest. I would not have done that sober but I didn't care after a few. My hat was stolen and then a guy got smacked over."

But Mr Antonio has learned a few lessons from Whangarei's night life.

"You can't mix your drinks. Those shots can be dangerous."

Mr Snelling, in his late 30s, favours Bacios, McMorrissey's or Killer Prawn. Later in the evening, fuelled by a few drinks, the glow of Danger Danger can beckon.

"I'm past that late night stuff. Well I like to think I am. But I have been known to go there. In general, I think there's something for everyone. You just have to know where to go."

Of the 12 night clubs and pubs in central Whangarei, both Bacios and Danger Danger have licences to open until 5am. The Beach Hut is open until 4.30am and Heaven on Vine St has a 24 hour licence. Most others are open until 3am.

On an internet discussion group about Invercargill, one user said "the night life consisted of two cars going up and down the main road with riveted-on wheel flares and yellow spoilers".

However, 36-year-old Chalpat Sonti had no complaints about Invercargill's nightlife. "I would suggest Ashburton if you're mentioning bad nightlife. That was probably the worst place I went to. On a Thursday night by 11pm every pub was empty, on payday."

Thursday, Friday and Saturday could all be big nights down south, he said. Most pubs were open until 2am and night owls could then go to one of two nightclubs.

Older punters tended to start off at Waxy O'Shea's Irish Pub and Molly O'Gradys, while the Lone Star pulled in the youngsters and rugby players.

People looking for love usually ended up at one of the two nightclubs open until 5am - the Globe and Sugar Shack. Tillermans often had live gigs.

And if it did get dull, at least the taxi ride home was cheap.