Slide

I had a fantastic time at El Circo! I’ve been talking all day about what a great evening it was!
The food was well-​presented, and very playful at times. Did I love every single dish? No. But the service and show more than adequately compensated for any food that I wasn’t over the moon about. Plus with 9 courses, its more than enough food.
Our server, Reed, was so attentive — which is especially impressive given the volume of people in the room. He was always there when we needed him, and when he saw we were getting tired from our jetlag (we arrived from California that day), he suggested espresso martinis — brilliant!
The show itself is fantastic — creative, polished, and a lot of variety. I’ve seen quite a lot of circus-​infused shows and this was certainly one of the best. The performers really are flawless, and its such an intimate venue you really have a great view from any of the tables on the floor.
And everything was executed so perfectly once the show began — no long lulls between courses or acts. It really was a professional operation in every aspect.
If you’re looking for an unusual and fun night out, I highly recommend it!

We came here for the El Circo show and meal combo as a work Christmas party. If your group is large enough, you can reserve the entire upper floor mezzanine which gives you great views of the show from the balcony.
How it works is that there are 9 acts and 9 courses so you basically watch a short act, eat a course and repeat ! The food was of great quality and very plentiful and it is like a degustation menu.
The show acts were quirky to say the least and the MC was wonderfully entertaining. This is Oxford Street so expect plenty of glam and glitter.
After the show and meal is completed, you can hang around to have more drinks and even hit the dance floor.

Whoa. Not sure what I was expecting but it wasn’t the awesome night that I had here!
Slide offers several types of shows, ranging from more caberet themed to burlesque to circus along with a multi-​course dinner. The venue is on the smaller side (maybe around 100 people max?) which is great because you can see everything up close–
My group went for a 30^th and chose the circus themed show. It was 9 circus acts, including a CRAZY bendy flexi girl, pole dancing to the Little Mermaid, and some awesome aerobatics. Pretty sure my jaw was on the floor most of the time as these folks are really really talented.
The menu changes but we had 7 courses that were «Christmas» themed to go along with our show. To be fair, the food was average, but I thought they did a great job with presentation and variety. Also really appreciated that they took breaks in between the acts to serve/​take away food so that you weren’t distracted by that while trying to watch the performers.
It would be a great place for a hens, birthday, or just general fun night out– after the show and dinner was over they opened up the stage for dancing!
Definitely worth checking out for a different type of night out.

I wanted something special for our aniversary this year. For those who have been counting its 20 years this year which is a long time to be stuck with me so something really special and diferent was called for. I can’t remember where I found slide but when i saw it, it was decision made — dinner and a show isn’t something you do every day, particularly when dinner is a 9 course degustation and the show is a 9 act adult circus. Its called el circo.
We didn’t have high expectations for the meal, we kind of expected the show to the the highlight and the food to be secondary. Weren’t we wrong. The food is fantastic. 9 really good courses including virtual popcorn — a balloon filled with popcorn smell (somehow) that is pricked beneath your nose to release the scent. Fortunatly this was then folowed by real popcorn (with truffle butter… mmmmmmmmm).
The show. O.M.G. 9 amazing acts. This was physical performance at its best. We had girls twirling on hoops 15 feet in the air. Guys on poles, hat jugglers, girls and guys doing acrobatics on silk curtains, guys dancing on poles, a girl and a guy twirling on the same hoop. Contortionists. Burlesques. Each act was better than the last. The finale which was the double act on the hoop was the most amazing physical performance I have ever seen. Amazing physicality with a strong current of eroticism. Fantastic. Definitly not one for the kids.
The night was tied together by the MC — a drag queen by the name of Maxie Shields, who was one of the best things about the evening. She was the perfect host.
We loved it so much we went back next month for a birthday celebration and saw one of their other shows — the risqué revue. A modern burlesque with 3 course french meal. That was great as well. If I had to pick one, I’d say el circo was the slightly more amazing of the two, but its a close thing.
If you have a special evening coming up, give slide a try. You will not regret it. We will be back. I think slide may become our regular special event venue.

Last Friday we went out for the best night out of our lives. Celebrating a milestone wedding anniversary, Dave looked for something special to do, went online to find an answer (thank you Unilocal), and came across Slide.
He booked 2 tickets for El’ Circo, Slide’s 9 act, 9 course degustation evening. The doors officially open at 7, but we got there at about 6.40 and a queue was already forming out the front. They let us in early and escorted us to our table. While we waited for our drinks, a magician travelled around the tables, entertaining people as he went.
The show started at 7.30 with 2 men in 1920s strong man type costumes and a young lady performing on a hoop suspended from the ceiling. Our fabulous drag queen hostess, Maxi Shields, then introduced herself and the dinner. First the way the French chef wanted them introduced, but then translated into broad Central Qld. So, our first course of a «spicy pumpkin veloute served with crème fraîche with crunchy kumara chips» became «pumpkin cuppa soup with sour cream and sweet potato». It was, without a doubt, the nicest pumpkin soup I’ve ever had (sorry Dave). Oh, and there was a fairytale theme when we went, so this was the Cinderella course (the pumpkin).
We had the Third Little Pig House which was a yummy mélange of mushroom, bacon and asparagus wrapped in pastry, then the Hansel and Gretel Intermission — virtual popcorn (which «ticks every diet — paleo, gluten free, Atkins, low-​fat, high-​fat, dairy free») — you get given a just-​pricked black balloon which you hold under your nose to smell the popcorn-​scented air that comes out of the hole. That made us all hungry for popcorn, of course, and they brought around small containers of truffle-​buttered popcorn that also had a tiny gingerbread house.
Then our main course came out, the Princess and the Pea. This was a poultry roulade stuffed with chestnut, mushroom, pistachio, veal and Cognac, served with yellow squash on a bed of creamy carrot mash, and a side of zucchini and purple potato chips.
Next was The Fox and the Crow with a mini fried camembert with French Dijon dressing and apricot coulis that you wrap in a piece of bitter lettuce. Very tasty.
Our dessert came last, Snow White, the Witch and the Poison Apple, so we had cinnamon ice cream on Persian fairy floss that I think was caramel flavoured, then a dark chocolate and salted caramel Religieuse (profiteroles) and an individual apple tarte tatin.
The performers included Missy who was on the hoop in the intro, then climbing up and performing on what was essentially 2 long silk curtains suspended from the ceiling; Blue Phoenix, who did both amazing pole work and also what was described as Spanish web. Essentially, he climbed up the silk curtains, then someone on the floor twisted and spun them while he did amazing things all over them, a good 15 m up in the air. We had Mr Gorski, a juggler we’d seen perform at the Powerhouse Museum’s MAASive Lates Undressed, who juggled hats and did tricks with them. He was followed by a burlesque, and then «Statues» — two beautiful men wrapped in nothing more than a red silk curtain posing (and removing most of said curtain) to the delight of many in the audience, including yours truly. Following this was an amazing contortionist, who did some quite horrifying things with her body! The final performance of the night featured Missy from the hoop and silk and Brendan (one of the statues) doing a double act on the hoop. Simply stunning to watch and they are amazing performers.
After tickets and drinks (paid separately), it ended up about $ 140 each, which is pretty good. The food is fantastic and the show is equally fantastic. Degustation can put people off. You aren’t going to end up with a pea in a teaspoon, a la Tetsuya’s. Most courses were the size of small entrees. The main was a decent size and I couldn’t finish it. I saw many desserts cleared away only partially eaten. Unless you are a huge eater, you won’t go away hungry. The venue is intimate. There were probably only 150 people in the place as you are seated at tables. Dress up for it — this is not a place you’d wear jeans or sneakers to. El’ Circo books out quickly, so plan ahead. Just be careful, as the tickets are non-​transferable and non-​refundable. They do lots of other shows too, so I’m busy figuring out which we’ll go to next.
Highly recommended, and I can’t wait to go back.

Went here for the El’ Circo a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it! The setting was intimate which was perfect for date night! It was a 9 course degustation and each course was unique. They had names like «A White Christmas» and «A Cheesy Tree» and «Xmas Parcel» and each dish was beautifully presented and delicious. Each dish was preceded by a circus performance and drag queen MC would introduce each dish before it was served. The most interesting dish was a pop-​corn smelling balloon which was a dish for «super models», where they would puncture the balloon causing the air in it to leak slowly and the air in the balloon has a pop-​corn scent. Love the entire experience and would highly recommend it!

I loved this place! I took my boyfriend here for his birthday. From the moment we walked in we were looked after, from cocktails, water refills, scrumptious food and plenty of entertainment. The 9 course degustation was Christmas themed, with our gorgeous drag queen MC introducing each dish, including eggnog out of a real egg shell and a cream cheese and chive Christmas tree topped with a carrot star. The main meal was pork belly with beans wrapped in prosciutto and potato gratin. The show was El’ Circo and the performers were excellent, with pole dancing, magic, contortionist, trapeze, ropes and lots of others. Each act followed each course, with the evening lasting about 3 hours. Highly recommend!

Okay… I’ve been meaning to write this review for an age… here it goes!
I had Charleston Mad in my head all day, my feet couldn’t stop tapping and I was meticulously planning how to wear my hair and do my make up. I was excited.
Met up with my buddy and we got dressed together which just added to the fun and then met up with the rest of our party. We were off!
Everyone kind of congregates at the Gloria Jeans next door… people see a sign of a feather, pinstripes or tassels and they’re reassured they’re in the right place. I love that — what we’re all wearing automatically makes us seek each other out and make easy conversation.
A gangster enters and gives us a nod and then we’re lead through a true prohibition style back alley to The Gin Mill Social.
Wow. This is so my kind of thing. I feel like I’m in an episode of Boardwalk Empire. It’s set out beautifully — it’s spacious but each group has it’s own intimate space. People are smiling and happy and best of all — DRESSED UP. It’s the people who didn’t make an effort that look out of place for once! I am a fan of the dress up and here you will not be judged!
There’s a cute space set up upstairs with props where you can play around whilst being snapped by the photographer — you feel like a socialite! There’s a gin punch served in a teapot waiting for you which is just heaven. The food was great! And it just kept coming! Well worth the $ 80 it costs to go. We also indulged in a Great Gastby cocktail…
There was one thing that did annoy us on the night. The salad debacle of 2013… If everything is designed to share and there are TWO people who are eating vegetarian at your table and you bring out TWO vegetarian salads for them they will eat them… leaving our carnivore friends unbeknownst to us without their salad. The waiter didn’t seem to understand that if the vego salad was designed to share they should have brought out one. An enemy was made that night my friends.
Apart from that it was a fabulous night. The food, company, dancing, the fact that your childhood hero was the entertainment (Monica Trapaga) and the GORGEOUS MEN who were there simply to look smouldering really made it a night to remember and definitely makes you want to go again.

Walking down Oxford Street it’s quite easy to miss the entrance to Slide Bar but for this prohibition style event that’s probably how they like it!
From start to finish the Gin Mill Social was great. As you enter the building you are escorted by bouncers dressed according in 1920s gear. Once inside you are met by a jazz band, a cabaret-​styled acrobat swinging from the ceiling in an aerial hoop and staff members dressed like your great-​grandfather. Once escorted to your table, you are seated and offered a complimentary drink that consists of a very yummy Hendrick’s gin cocktail. The food was also very yummy — and boy did it just keep coming out! Definitely go to the event on an empty stomach otherwise you’ll never have the room to sample all the delights off the set menu.
There is lots to keep you amused. The jazz band plays throughout the night, actors dressed in costume wander around in character interacting with the guests. There is even a magician who can show a card trick or two, and balance a chair on this head. On the the night that I attended our host happened to be Monica from Playschool! It was quite a shock to us, and probably even more so to her when I told her that I’d watched her on TV when I was 4. She was great though, never breaking character or her American accent until right at the last when we were leaving and saying goodbye.
I was also really impressed with all the guests costumes. I made and hand beaded a 1920s flapper dress from scratch (party because I’m crazy and party because its a just a hobby of mine), and although most guests didn’t go to the authenticity seeking extremes that I did no one looked out of place. Pretty much all the men I saw were wearing either bow ties or braces, and all the ladies had flapper head dresses and pearls. But for those who needed a bit more help there was also a dress up box near the upstairs photo area where some great shots were taken by a professional photographer.
Overall I had a great time. The atmosphere was amazing, the staff great, the food was delicious. I’d definitely attended the Gin Mill Social again, however I think my next visit to Slide Bar will be for El Circo which looks amazing.

Gin Mill Social… The name says it all. As we are waiting in the coffee shop next door a gent walks in, nods his head and escorts us to a door, which looks like its a dodge place.
The door opens and we get rushed in before anyone sees. Then entrance was lit up with trendy lights which lead us down a semi dark alleyway… As we get to the end another gent is waiting for us.
He then proceeded to pat us down… Maybe I would have enjoyed a longer pat… Lol.
We then enter a room, a room of spectacular lights, people, music and laughter… Yes I was back in time and I knew this was where I am was meant to have been.
As we sit we are served a nice gin cocktail via a tea pot in a tea cup… Class is the word to describe it.
We chat for a bit and watch the dance girl swing from a hoop hanging from the ceiling, not doing anything spectacular but couldn’t help but watch her.
The meals then come out, one, two, three different selection as a time and finally 18 meals later and I’m stuffed. The little petite bit size meals were delicious, even eating food I would never have eaten before.
And as its said a little entertainment doesn’t go astray and that’s when we mention the magician that came to our table… Fun, fun, and fun… Loved it and still wondering how he knows what card I had chosen.
Now on to the party, the band rocked the night and the staff encouraged the guests to dance, so dancing we did and more dancing when we got back to our table. Not only did the guests join in on the fun but so did the staff. If I was to work in the hospitality industry again, this is where and who I would work for… Yes the gin mill social.
The night was a success with the guests dressing up to suit the theme, and of corse my table being the best dressed there, and the service.
The only issue was that I was driving and didn’t get a chance to try all the special cocktails that was made just for the night.
As we talk to the waiters they mention that the entertainment was only at 30% compared to what they have planed for the rest of the social nights. Would have been good to see the other entertainment on opening night, but this is what has encouraged me to go again. And the card tables were hidden away, so if you didn’t go exploring in the venue you would never have known they were there.
This was a night to remember and defiantly a night of enjoyment. If your looking for fun, food and laughter and want to dress like your back in the 20’s then this is the place to be.
I will be back and I will be bringing lots of people with me.

Massive fan of this venue x

It’s the 2010 Screenwise Christmas party and this year it’s at Slide Bar on Oxford Street. Situated right at the base of the notorious clubbing street, Slide Bar has an element of class about it, that seems to dissipate as you get closer to Taylor Square.
There’s a feeling of exclusivity to this club as you enter, like not every one can come in, though that might just be the narrow entry way.
I get through the door, past the bouncers and enter the Slide Bar. It’s huge, a really large and open space with a second floor which looks down upon the main area, kind of like a balcony or an outlook.
There’s a raised platform for dancing and possible performances and seating scattered around the outskirts of the club.
I sit down with one of my acting teachers and have a rather awkward conversation, awkward purely because between bursts of interesting conversations lies the dormant silences where each party wracks their brain for the next spate of discussion.
Wine continues to flow and the night moves on, much dancing is performed, a half naked male moves up and down a curtain in an acrobatic display and has the crowd enthralled by his circustry (Circus Ability). A woman with intense body odour keeps walking past and I have a ‘Shouting in each others ears’ conversation with a director about his music side project.
All in all it’s a fun evening, despite the bizarre talent, VIP segregation and the body odour girl, but that’s not Slide’s fault.