Reviewed on Thursday July 9
I haven’t been to Berlin before. Well, I hadn’t until last Thursday night when I managed to blag a spot on the much-coveted guestlist for the finale of the current series of Number56 parties. The only information provided before the event was: “Where Oxford meets Liverpool, you’ll find something colourful.” Assuming this was referring to the streets in Sydney and not the cities in England, I headed to the crossroads in Darlinghurst and sure enough, encountered an individual who was certainly colourful and provided us with some cryptic instructions involving someone called Gloria, traffic lights and a door with the number 56 on it. Using my innate detective skills (i.e. following the lads in front of us), it wasn’t long until we were in.
The Number56 nightlife experience, which has been the city’s hottest ticket over recent weeks, offered Sydneysiders an authentic taste of Berlin’s music, art and culture. Taking its name from the 56 unique ingredients used to make Jägermeister, the series successfully kick-started the weekend on Thursday nights with Berlin regular DJsSteve Bug, Kill Frenzy, Baron Castle, Christian Vance, Michelle OwenandClaire Morganat the helm.
Igniting underground sounds in underground places, the biggest celebration to date was curated by the mysterious minds behindSalon Zur Wilden Renateand local co-presenters House of Mince, Something Elseand experimental party pleasersCharades.
Betty Grumble, Matt Formatand their rotating spectacle of friendstook guests on another wild journey, inspiringnew encounters, strange collisions and Euro splendour that had the crowd entertained and perplexed in equal measures. Missy the aerialist had guests transfixed as she spiralled through the air, while a barely clad Diesel Darling and her angle grinder caused sparks to fly across the dancefloor.
Authentic German cocktails were served on the night, including the Spice Apple Mule (Jägermeister Spice, cloudy apple juice, ginger beer and a wedge of squeezed lime) accompanied by Berlin street food.
The party’s six house rules, a permanent fixture at Number56, encouraged people to share the experience with their mates wholeheartedly, banning cameras and phones, encouraging respect and making it clear that what happens at Number56 stays at Number56. I’d tell you more, but I’m just not allowed.
