The Vic on the Park is a Marrickville institution that’s been serving up cold beers and good cheer for years. Last weekend, however, the lager was swapped out for Irish whiskey, as Jameson put on one hell of a show at the venerable hotel. House of Rounds was a rollicking one-day event that saw the Vic transformed into a mini festival, with live bands, DJs, food tents and even whiskey tastings.
When we arrived in the early afternoon, the Vic was already heaving with people. Punters had brought their dogs with them, and the atmosphere was awesome, with pets, kids and adults alike taking in the party atmosphere. There was a half-court set up in the carpark for basketball competitions, a live screen-printing booth, as well as a record stall with plenty of rare vinyl and fresh releases.
Inside the Vic, chefs were slinging tasty home-style treats like pulled pork rolls, cheese toasties and onion rings, and there were plenty of bars around where you could grab some refreshing Jameson and dry, as well as other whiskey-based cocktails. Activations like these are becoming steadily more popular in Sydney, with spirits and and breweries throwing their support behind live music. It’s a win-win: cheap drinks plus good tunes.
On that note, the line-up for House of Rounds was pretty stacked. Highlights included Godtet, who served up delightfully summery vibes with tunes like “Struck Bamboo Pipes”; Alex Lahey, who wowed the crowd with a genuine and heartfelt solo set; Stevan, an endlessly charismatic young artist who packed the venue for his hit single “Timee”; and Carmouflage Rose, who led the Vic to fever pitch with “Late Nights”.
House of Rounds was a prime example of the kind of event Sydney needs more of: local artists filling up a fantastic local venue, good food and drinks, and a welcoming vibe. Plus it was 100% free! The Vic was the perfect place to spend a sunny Saturday. House of Rounds might be over, but I strongly suggest you head on down for a refreshment next time you’re in the area.
Photos by James Adams.