Do: Pub Trivia

I like Pubs. I like Trivia. Do you?

Torrens Arms Hotel, aka The TA, runs free weekly Tasty Trivia Tuesdays. Kick off is 7pm sharp. Allow yourself a bit of pregame time to settle in, grab a drink and read through the rules and regulations. Hang on, what? Written rules? Oh yeah, this is serious. There are CASH PRIZES people! Have you ever heard of such a thing? I hadn’t.

Pub Trivia takes the fun elements of Trivial Pursuit, combines them with real prizes plus real drinks and throws away the dice. The result being just you, your mates and a true test of who has the greatest amount of irrelevant knowledge stored in the back blocks of their mind. A little bit of friendly, harmless competition is good for you on a weeknight. And a good test of friendship. Are you sure that is Adam Gilchrist in position 3? Are you SURE?

Quizmaster Lindsay runs a smooth operation and keeps everyone to a tight schedule. Which is important if you want to get home in time for Survivor. Or is that just me?

Topics range from Who Am I to Sports Cars. Something for everyone really. And your efforts will be rewarded. We came a respectable third (ok so there were only four teams) and walked away with a bounty of prizes...

Up for the challenge? Game on.

Tasty Tuesday Trivia
Torrens Arms Hotel (TA Bar)
95 Belair Road
Kingswood
Ph. 8272 9255

Mingle: Gin Diligence

If this isn't gin weather, I don’t know what is. Luckily, just in time, the fine people of Hendrick's have taken up shop in the East End of town. Here specifically to teach the young folk a thing or two about refined courtship whilst casually sipping on a G&T.

Get along to sample the Scottish brew, served in delightful little teacups. Workshops are open to any gents wanting to work on their hatiquette and any ladies of society wishing to brush up on the fine art of faniquette. You’ll be welcomed by some lovely lasses, waited on hand and foot and treated to a little behind-the-modesty-screen show (and tell).

The workshop is situated at 3/300 Rundle Street and is open to the public until Sunday. Look for the bathtub in the window.

Saturday 3 September – 12pm til 7pm
Sunday 4 September – 12pm til 7pm

Get all the details here.

Mingle: In it to win it

I have a friend who likes to enter competitions. If you’ve got to be in it to win it, she’s in it. The benefit of a friend like this is that sometimes I’m lucky enough to get the call up of being her plus one. As it was this week, when we jumped on board the SAFM Party Bus.

Local radio station SAFM, in conjunction with Central Grocers, recently ran a competition to see who could throw the best party in Adelaide. After submitting their ideas, three entrants were chosen to host a party that would hold up to the scrutiny of a bus load of gate crashers. The winner receiving a grand prize of $5,000.

Any Thursday night is a good night for a party. Especially a themed one. Throw together twenty five strangers, a trio of breakfast radio hosts plus some random SAFM staff members and the guy who chipped in the prize money and off we trek all across the city and suburbs. Albeit on a dry bus with a malfunctioning strobe light.. Though I wasn’t complaining, I’m kept happy as long as goodie bags are involved.

Mel’s party was first stop. An elaborate Halloween set up. Duly noted for the extensive theming, variety of beers on offer, costumes aplenty and a dead body!

The bar had been set pretty high. But with open minds we made our way back to civilisation, phone reception and sangria. Amanda had opted for an outdoor set up, taking us back to a bygone era. A bygone era with flamingos.

Back on the bus and on route to our last stop.

The early odds had been in favour of Sarah’s Hawaiian themed party and hopes were high. We weren’t disappointed. Coronas, tropical punch, a bubble machine, hula girls, interactive limbo and a wet area. Not to mention, we all got lei'd on arrival.

Plus, more flamingos!

Before anyone could get too comfortable, we were ordered back on the bus to cast our votes and head home.

So what makes a winning party? We were asked to vote on presentation, food, entertainment and atmosphere. All vital ingredients in planning a successful function.

And the winner is..

Sarah! Congratulations!

PS. It happens to be Sarah’s 21st next weekend. Who would have guessed the theme is Hawaiian?

Mingle: #HEARTY PARTY

Winter has arrived. You need a good wine to help warm yourself up. You want something local, but you’re not sure what? Enter #HEARTYPARTY.

The first Friday of winter brought together talented winemakers, showcasing their wares in the midst of the action at Adelaide Central Market. An offer of free tastings and free food attracted those in the know (thanks Facebook, Twitter) and curious bystanders alike.

Proudly showing off their home grown products were Ducks in a Row, Vinteloper, La Linea, Mitolo, Solita, Arete, 919, Oliver's Taranga, Madeleines, Running with Bulls, Woodstock and Western Australia's Capel Vale.

We arrived, perused the crowd and quickly bustled our way towards the front of the queue. After sipping our way through some delicious varieties and blends, we were eagerly offered a taste of some food on the go, hearty paella – with a Tempernillo to match, in keeping with Spain of course. Seating was limited so all hands were on deck to juggle food and wine.

We were big fans of the 919 Shiraz which Michelle fittingly describes as cherry ripe in a glass.

Great promotional event and a fitting way to welcome in winter. A happy red wine buzz left flowing gently behind us.