South Services Club - South Grafton

The South Services Club, whilst overlooking the river is not what you would call glamorous whatsoever. Being from Grafton, I invited a friend to visit from Brisbane. We arrived in his vehicle and sought out street parking and found a park only 100mtrs from the Club entrance but there was a run down car, clearly unroadworthy and having been left to waste on the street. I soon realised the house we had parked in front of had their fence all boarded up using 2400x1200 sheets of plywood I presume to stop people accessing their property, but the homemade 'fence' had warped in the weather and looked horrible, like it was a squarters house. But as I peered in through gaps in the warped fence I could see there was real life going onside the house i.e, people and lighting.We ventured across to the club regardless. The entrance is standard. The had a sign in desk that was automated, whereby as a visitor you must insert your drivers licence BUT be warned, the card reader swallows your drivers licence and there is no way to retrieve it manually. You must wait for the card reader to eject your licence after it has stolen your personal details in full from your drivers licence.Continuing on into the club, we identified the 'restaurant' section, more of a bistro but it was ok for the listed prices. i.e. Sirloin stake and chips or vegetables or salad at $22. We ordered our meals and I requested the sirloin steak and veg with no sauces. My friend ordered the same as me, with a sauce and his two children had kids meals ordered. We waited what felt like 20-30 minutes for our meals to be called up (via the electronic buzzer) and only to be given my meal and one of the kids meals. My meal with the steak, but with just a side serve of chips. I asked for veg and had that heaped onto of the chips. The quality of the meal with average. A basic steak with a serve of lukewarm chips and a piece of pumpkin and some boiled peas and carrots. I could buy these ingredients from Woolworth's fresh and make a much better meal for less $$.The venue is basic. its an open space with the 'pokie room' to the side, a large open space with the main bar and then a stage for live music and performances all surrounded by basic tables and chairs. I will say, the view over the river on sunset is spectacular. there is a balcony with sliding door access to go and admire the view. Another bonus for the night was the prices for drinks, I ordered a Strongbow Cider in a bottle and paid $4.30. An absolute bargin price :)Lastly, I attempted to use the free Wifi service but was unable to get any data throughput. The connection was establishing but kept dropping out and didnt allow any actual internet use.

Entry foyer reeked of cigarette smoke. The explanation given was the gaming room next door! We thought clubs were smoke free but what would we know. Such a wasted venue in a marvellous location. Turned away right on lunch closing also at 2pm. Service is very arbitrary in some places. Shame.

After being turned off by the motel I was staying at (see previous posts). I found this place on the river. I was looked after by a young lady Britney and she was pleasant and bubbly. The food was well presented, plentiful and tasty. The environment was good as well. No noisy pokies in your ear to distract you. Good choice for value food

Club is very nice to enter, assisted to sign in, welcomed, directed to dining area. Waited while staff finished having a chat to be served,Food was good, prices excellent. At the bar stood for too long to put keno on went looking for someone, he was busy collecting glasses and counting bingo players, went for drinks & a male came from another area to serve, they have a "quick service area "at the bar but on quiet nights no staff hanging behind bar. A middle aged woman was very curt when paying out from pokies, either she can't hear or is just has a short manner I observed, she made a big thing of signing the ticket and when I had 2 she then didn't want to wait while I completed the second one. Time was called for people to leave, about 9pm. End of night.

Came for dinner on Australia day. Great casual atmosphere with views of the river. Meals were reasonably priced, nothing too fancy but generous serves. Ordered medium steak but got well done, so best avoid if you're picky. Would visit again.