Leo Drinks... an annual tradition

So... when's the next one?

Friday, 11 August 2006 (Date to be confirmed - venue to be decided) - after work**.

Venue Discussion

Now all those booths have been put in at the Lion Hotel, I thought it was a little squashy which made it harder to mingle... and it was a little overly loud to be able to converse properly. I'd consider somewhere like the Wheatsheaf for 2006. All other suggestions will be considered. Generally we try to keep it in a public bar so that people feel free to come and go and invite their friends... should be an area, ideally with some space and if possible a bar environment where you can actually hear conversation when standing next to someone. For the 2005 drinks the Lion failed on more than one of these points.

**After work generally means people are likely to start arriving sometime between 5pm-6:30pm but generally those with an earlier 'beer o'clock' get there earlier while other people do 'stuff' first and meander down later. Turn up any time... generally the first shift arrives around 5-6 - with some keen folk getting there a bit earlier while others straggling in at odd times... The second shift (which often overlaps vastly with the first, mostly because lots of people just don't go home when the relief shift appears) - tends to arrive around 8ish other than that people generally come and go all night.

Stuff you may need to know - or not...

It is simply a gathering of the masses that a heap of loud lovable people who share the star sign of Leo use as an excuse to catch up with friends, family and people they adore.
Everyone who is a leo, a friend of a leo or friends, family, hangers-on and moral support of anyone else attending is welcome to come along. Actually... just make that "everyone is welcome".
It is not catered, just a place to meet up with everyone you have not seen for ages (or a good way to meet new people)
You can come and go as you please - no obligations - some people tend to arrive early and others head home first and join in later**.
With the mish-mash of people we have seen in previous years, you will be hard put not to find someone to mingle with.
The Lion Hotel has a bar, a larder (counter meals/cafe), restaurant *and* Melbourne Street is packed with great restaurants for those who want to come for a few drinks, wander off for dinner and come back.
In the past, some people have been known to fly in from interstate for no other reason than just to come along to Leo Drinks.
Put it in your diary (NOW!) - It is always lots of fun, as those who have attended in the past will be able to vouch... so get off ya butt and come along! There is such a mix of people there (cultural / sub-cultural / age / interest - wise) that if you cannot find someone to mingle with you may need help but I am sure we can find you a suitable therapist. It is not *that* far from the city and there are so many people going in the same direction so you should have no problem in getting there - or even home!
Attire - entirely up to you, there's no dress code:
- In response to one persons remark (a person of the male variety) that they will be there with pants on, probably... I'd like to say pants/jeans/trousers are not essential. In the past, at least two males have shown up in skirts, one of a goth kind, one just because that's who they are. Non-traditional wardrobe is totally acceptable... or no wardrobe, if indeed, you feel you can get away with it (I fear the staff may not approve of newyd/nekked people flocking to the pub - but if you're up for the consequences, I'm up for the amusement that will surely follow).
- Along the same lines, in response to the person (this time a person of the female variety) who said: What if I come but wear a hooded mask? - that's fine too. Those of us who love you will continue to do so no matter what you wear... others may blatantly stare, but I doubt you'd wear something so attention seeking if you were afraid of such a result. See you there.
- Traditional wardrobe is fine as well. It's you we want to see... even if we can't see your face, because it's behind a hood. I guess then we'll have to hear you - or if you refuse to speak... feel you to work out who you are. or something. But, I digress... traditional, cultural or non-traditional attire... or nothing is all fine by me. As noted previously, there may be consequences but they're yours so if you're up to it... I'm sure the rest of us will cope (in one way or another... and there is alcohol to aid the coping process - for those who drink).
It is not an astrology club gathering - it's a tradition... an annual catch-up. Actually for the most part it's probably unlikely you'll hear mention of astrology... however, I cannot guarantee this, people do and say the weirdest things when they drink sometimes.
Drinking alcohol is not a requirement... you can come and mingle whether you imbibe or not.

Past dates/venues

2005 - Lion Hotel, Melbourne Street, North Adelaide - 19 August
2004 - Sigh. The ONLY year since the beginning that it didn't happen.
2003 - Lion Hotel, Melbourne Street, North Adelaide - 22 August
2002 - Kentish Arms Hotel, Stanley Street, North Adelaide - 17 August
2001 - Lion Hotel, Melbourne Street, North Adelaide - 10 August
2000 - Prince Albert Hotel, Wright Street, Adelaide - August 11 (aka 'Brazel Drinks')
1999 - Lion Hotel, Melbourne Street, North Adelaide - 13 August
1998 - Lion Hotel, Melbourne Street, North Adelaide - 14 August
Haven't dug up any old stuff on earlier Leo Drinks... yet... so venues remain a mystery (however, I'm guessing city venue then Oxford for all previous ones).

Inspired by Leo Drinks

Some nasty fiction - featuring fat cat as a bouncer on PCP and much violence. (Rating: M, R - WARNING: contains violence and profanity)

history

Once upon a time, waaaaay back in the 90's a group of folks who all had their birthdays around the same time (late jul/aug) decided to get together and have celebratory drinks. Ever since then (barring 2004 - it was all too hard) Leo Drinks have been an annual tradition attended by work mates, friends, hangers on and strangers. It's different every year but always fun!

About the venues

The original Leo Drinks were held in two venues, one in the city until 8pm and then we moved on to the Oxford until closing. However, when Tim and Andrew sold up and moved on down to the Lion, Leo Drinks followed them down the hill (the Oxford just wasn't the Oxford anymore).

We did have a few experimental years where we thought we'd try somewhere different for a change... but we went back to the Lion as it just seemed easier for most people (who knows why?).

As a final note, the Lion was *not* chosen because the name of the venue astrologically matched the name of the drinks... that's really just chance. :)