Okay, so Spectrum is nothing special. The sound is crappy, the conditions often cramped and the beer range average.

But when it opened however (was it 2003 or 2004?), it was nothing short of revelatory. The term "indie club" have never really been heard before in Sydney, and punters were confused. "A club? That plays nothing but indie? Surely they must have a few nights a week of hard house? Hmphwhwt!" people would remark.

It really helped kick-start an era in Sydney. And god bless it, it hasn't changed since.

Since the closing of The Hopetoun Hotel it's also pretty much the default small venue for up-and-coming and unknown interstate bands.

The reason I'm picking it however, is it's reliability. There's pretty much nowhere else to go out on a Friday or a Saturday night for a cheap, late night dance with a decent crowd (i.e. not all rich 18 year olds). And the music policy, while at times erratic, usually centres on lots of cheeky old retro, and you can usually be guaranteed at least one Bowie song. I DJ'd here once and basically just played The Rushmore soundtrack - and the crowd lapped it up.

Viva le Spectrum!

As part of it's '36 Hours in...' travel series, The New York Times finally got around to profiling a great weekend in Sydney. And as usual, Sydney does things bigger and grander than most other cities, and got a full 60-ish hours, instead of the usual fleeting Friday to Sunday morning.

And as with all their politics and arts writing, I pretty much agree with everything the NYTimes says - as their recommendations go for the slightly more obscure and cultural over the tourist cliche, including: my favourite microbrew pub The Lord Nelson in the Rocks, The Manly Ferry, The Sydney Theatre Company, Hannah's Pies (who supply Harry's Cafe De Wheels), Surry Hills, Spice I Am (shhhhhh!), and of course the expensive things for cashed up Americans like Bridge Climb, Cafe Sydney and Rockpool.

Make it Kirribilli Markets instead of the Rocks markets and maybe a Belvoir play over an STC, and a drink at Opera Bar, and you've pretty much got the ultimate Sydney weekend.