Filled to the brim at weekends, The Orient is a notorious pick-up spot. Situated close to Circular Quay and the CBD, it's an easy choice if you're in the area. There's live music at weekends, a club upstairs, food, good beer, and if you're not one of the ones trying to pull, great comic potential.
The bands that play at weekends are usually of the crowd-pleasing variety blasting out popular tunes while the single and desperate try to scan the room, hold their drinks upright and dance at the same time. The atmosphere is somewhere between a light hearted, noisy night out and a deperate race to grab a partner before there's only the two-baggers left.
Top floor is the club area, dark and flashy it's very much a stand-up joint - no chairs here. one floor down is the restaurant area, with, for some reason, a full-size rowing boat in the rafters. the ground floor is more 'pubby' with pokies out back and a well-frequented outdoor area.
The food is OK too. standard bar fayre at reasonable prices.
review by: pubguide staff