Two sets of pink and white balloons tied to the trees outside Club ONESIXNINE, formerly known as Havana, heralded Saturday’s newest gay party night, Live.

Sure, the temporary signs that were printed on poster paper and taped over the old signage did look dodgy and cheap, but they could be forgiven as they probably had more pressing concerns in the few short weeks since the club re-launch was officially announced.

Once we made it past the security with their kinky magical metal-detecting paddles, we were faced with ascending quite possibly the longest flight of stairs in any club on Oxford St.

$10 cover charge got us inside, where the walls were covered with a Middle Eastern-inspired motif with soft lighting in specific areas throughout the club. We were pleased at the sheer abundance of really comfortable seating available in the form of circular booths, bar stools and couches spread throughout the club. This obviously means that they can’t cram as many people in, but if you do manage to get in, you’ll be comfortable.

Making our way around Club ONESIXNINE, we were surprised to find that some parts of the flooring were very sticky. Whether this what they had chosen for flooring, or came as a result of a beer shower flash mob or some other unnamed mischievous activities in the dark, we will never know. But what we do know is that it does make for irritating dancing elsewhere once the main dance floor fills up.

With no less than four bars located in different areas of the club, you’re likely to never have to wait very long for a drink, which can be the most frustrating part of a night out. The drink prices were at the cheaper end of the scale with a Vodka and Red Bull setting us back $9.50, compared with the $10-$12 you’d expect to pay at most other gay venues.

The bathrooms were hot. And we’re not talking about the boys or the interior design of the bathroom… it was actually hot and stuffy and needed more ventilation. Luckily the trough line moved quickly so a long wait wasn’t in order. Although we do pity those that sweated it out in the cubicles trying to go about their business. And by business we don’t mean toilet sex either. Sure it’s hot, but it doesn’t mean it’s a sauna!

The crowd on opening night were mostly under 30 with smatterings of heterosexual and older gay guys. Going by their dress sense we assumed that the heterosexuals knew that this wasn’t the Havana of old and that they were instead out for a taste of the gay clubbing experience.

There were no drag queens to be seen. Instead, the opening night featured perfectly sculpted go-go boys dancing on the tables, which seemed to prove popular with the crowd. Everyone was given imaginary ‘go-go dollars’ so we didn’t need to jam our hard-earned into the hot, sweaty trunks of the dancers. Whether they gathered enough of the fake dollar bills tonight to make a triumphant return in the coming weeks remains to be seen!

Whilst Club ONESIXNINE has got heaps of seating available, the loud music makes it hard to have conversations with people sitting right next to you. So if you’re the type that likes to chat and have the occasional dance, then this club isn’t for you. There is an open room with its own bar that is far away enough from the speakers where you can have a conversation with shouting, but seating is limited here.

Saturday Night Live manages to combine cheap drinks along with banging house music and is well-suited for gay clubbers that like having a night out dancing with their shirts off til the sun comes up. Although we’d advise that you make sure you can stand on two feet before tackling the long staircase to get outside.

Club ONESIXNINE has proven that it has the potential to fill a niche in an already crowded gay clubbing scene. Whether it has done enough to win over the hearts and minds of a queer community that, for so long, has rightfully held so much animosity towards its previous incarnation, is something that will determine its future. We at least hope that Saturday nights on Oxford St will become a little bit safer for everyone.

See our photo gallery from the first Live here.