Floating on a Cloud

I know I am behind the times with this.  I know I should have gone months and months ago and everyone else has been there and so this post is less than informative.  But still,

Cloudland. Oh. My. God.

It's not the cheapest place, so maybe it doesn't belong in my recommendations for students, although when I asked the bartender to dilute the horrible house champagne I had ordered with raspberry cordial (desperate times, desperate measures, girls...) he threw in a shot of vodka to boot.  Granted, it was probably a bit of a deadly combination for me...as later podium dancing at Birdee's would suggest...but a generous gesture by any standards, nonetheless.  And besides, entry is free, and really, walking inside the huge doors is the most important part of the whole experience.

The outside should be enough to entice anyone in.  To me, who has been away from Brisbane long enough that I hadn't seen the place, it was like a beacon.  A free pretty light show on a huge building that looks like it belongs in a book on Gaudi's architecture. Finally, something beautiful, not grungy, in the Valley!  A venue that says 'Here I am, Look at Me!' rather than 'Find Me If You Can!' like so many others do (and from the same owners nonetheless...) And then there's the inside...

To begin with, it's big.  But you know that.  You can see that from the street.  But once you go inside, you realise it's actually HUGE.  A cavernous space filled with decor reminiscent of a 19th century English Exhibition in London, with exotic foliage, organic twisted shapes, a bar made of over a thousand glass balls, swinging chairs that look like something from Alice in Wonderland, and butterflies caught in the balcony staircase.  Upstairs is nestled a cluster of circular lounge areas, and the bathrooms have throne like chairs in the waiting rooms.  There's a stage, that I assume frequented by bands, and I've heard a rather decent one plays there every second Sunday evening, although one my Thursday evening visit it was unused.  When I was there, it wasn't a place to go dancing, but rather, a place to mingle and chat with friends.  Whilst feeling rich and extravagant, of course. 

If you haven't been in, go.  It may not be your favourite place.  It may not be your scene. I'm not even saying get a drink. But anyone can appreciate the work that has gone into the interior design.  And it's smack bang in the middle of the Valley so you'll be walking past anyway.  You can't miss it.