I heard someone call my name. I had just found the Science Fiction section in the little bookshop along Beaufort Street when it happened. I turned around to see TravelBug. She had made it to Mount Lawley, the site of our next meeting, and like me, she too had decided to sneak a look at the bookshop opposite our chosen wine bar.
The wine bar in question was Clarences, along Beaufort Street in MtLawley. We crossed the street to be the first of our little group to arrive; and I do mean little. Perhaps it was the time of the year, or the day of the week or the full moon, but not many Barchivists could make it on this Thursday 16 September.
Actually, the numbers turned out well. With just TF, MS, TravelBug and me, arotulon, we had a cosy little group which is really what Clarences is set up for. The venue is not that large, and they have a wonderful little outdoor area, that suited the four of us perfectly. Overall the place looks quite refined, but TravelBug did cast a reproving eye at the neon sign in the front window.
Clarence, your bar is trendy, your decor hip but your neon sign is tacky.
TravelBug and I grabbed a spot out in the back courtyard section. It was just starting to get dark and the full moon was coming out. This night was the first warmish night of the Spring season and having a drink outside just felt right.
We ordered some drinks. I went for the beer of the month which was the Matso’s Ginger Beer. TravelBug chose a wine that reminded her of Joey Tribbiani from Friends. The name of it started with a ‘T’ and it also had a few ‘g’s in it, but no one can remember what it was called.
The mystery drink; all we know for certain is that it was served at Clarences.
Soon TF came along, having fought the traffic along Mounts Bay Road to get here and then a bit later MS showed up. The two of them also went for the Matso’s Ginger Beer. TF also ordered up some home cut chips while MS went for some bread and olives; after all, he is the unofficial olive taster of the Barchivists. I intend to make that posting official one of these days.
What did MS think of the olives? His review is below. No one reviewed the bread.
Review of the olives at Clarences:
Olives of sufficiently various sizes – MS; unofficial Barchivists olive taster
Olives a bit off putting in the pip to olive ratio – TF; unofficial Barchvists deputy olive taster
So we had food, we had beer and wine and we talked about TravelBug’s recent wanderings and how MS was thinking of moving, then a staff member of Clarences interrupted us to ask if we wanted any more drinks. I commented that we had been hoping for such attentive staff at our last venue.
So we ate and drank and listened to the music and talked about how some bloggers try to get free food at restuarants because they blog about their night out and then a a staff member of Clarences interrupted us to ask if we wanted any more drinks. No, we were right thanks.
The chips were just about nearly all gone and the olives were down to the last few and I was having trouble trying to stab the ones left with the toothpick and David Bowie’s version of Alabama song was being played, which is an obscure recording but appropriate as it is about drinking, and then a staff member of Clarences interrupted us to ask if we wanted any more drinks. I guess we must have looked thirsty.
TravelBug mentioned all the difficulties that she was encountering helping a friend organise a wedding, and TF was amused at watching the crickets on the wall behind me crawl closer to my head, and we had eventually all agreed that the tomato sauce, which came with the chips and that tasted like sausage rolls, was probably a chutney, and then a staff member of Clarences interrupted us to ask if we wanted any more drinks. This happened twice more and then we left.
A second after this photo was taken we were asked if we wanted another drink. Again.
Barchivists reviews:
TravelBug: Nice setting – not too loud! Outdoor area was great! Must go there in Summer 
TF: Chips were awesome, Ginger beer was super refreshing and tasty. Nice setting.
MS: Nice atmosphere out the back, great selection of music; staff too pushy.
Love your work – so funny- there seriously must have been too many staff that night
Sounds like fun – Sorry I missed it.