AFTER HOURS AT THE ASSEMBLY

The Assembly sells wine by the glass. I don’t know why this makes me so happy, because I don’t really even like wine. But it’s awesome in a ridiculous way to say to the bartender ‘I’ll have a glass of the house red please’ in a place like this. Obviously I derive pleasure from the small things.

We arrive around 11 pm and the dance floor is pumping. After Hours has pulled a crowd of faithful regulars since its humble beginnings in January 2012. They are a slightly older crowd than those who normally frequent Assembly, which is great because at 27, I need to stop getting hit on by 21-year-olds. (I’m kidding. Well, half-kidding.)

The best thing about these parties is that they’re themed, and people actually dress up. Previous themes have included Tropical Heat, Office Space, Wild at Heart, Top Gun and Lost in Space, which have resulted in some fairly hilarious outfits. The trio who started After Hours are Philip Kramer, Ian Jepson and Tyler Smith. I like them because they go all out with their outfits and don’t mind that I’m constantly harassing them for songs. (‘Please play Barry White, everyone loves Barry White, I promise.’)

I love the music here. It’s the only place  where you can listen to Backstreet Boys, Nelly, and Whitney Houston one after the other, followed by a selection of new wave beats to really confuse (and delight) the crowd. I had no idea what new wave was either, but it’s an umbrella term for late-1970s to mid-1980s pop-rock, and I think I might love it.

I’ve been to a few After Hours and they always end the same way: I’m exuberantly dancing and then the lights come on and there’s a collective groan that the fun has to stop.

Even if they didn’t have wine by the glass, I would still love it here.

OF NOTE
Where The Assembly, 61 Harrington Street
When Once a month (keep an eye on the Facebook page for upcoming dates)
Cost R30 before 10 pm, R40 after
Contact www.facebook.com/AfterHoursTheParty

Photography The Assembly/Max Oosthuizen, We-Are-Awesome.com