subject: Nightlife In Kings Cross, Sydney [print this page] Kings Cross is a place that is loved by uni students, backpackers, and other clubbers in Sydney, but it terrifies everyone else. With stories about ex-AFL players being arrested, murders, drugs dealing, and prostitution, it's no wonder that the Cross has such a bad reputation in the eyes of the public. But how much of this reputation is accurate? Should Kings Cross really be avoided, or does it just have a bad image because of all the press it gets?
I'll admit, the thought of going out to Kings Cross scared me when I first moved to Sydney. My first night there was a Saturday. It came after 2 months of living in Sydney, and was with a large group of friends that knew the place better than I did. I was pleasantly surprised when I didn't see prostitutes on every corner, and strange old men didn't try to talk to me. Instead, I discovered a busy, lively area that was packed with young people looking for fun after a tiring week. The energy in the Cross was great, and the bars and nightclubs were even better.
This experience, and my experiences since then, have led me to believe that Kings Cross is severely misjudged by the media. While there with my friends, I didn't feel unsafe. There are guards at the train station to prevent too many problems, the nightclubs are awesome, and there's always food if you're looking for a kebab at 3am. Of course there are a handful of strange people that can bother you or ruin your night, but only if you let them. In general, it's just best to walk past these people that are trying to get your attention. Talking to your friends always helps, and if not, just stand in line to the nearest nightclub and you should feel safe standing around those bouncers.
I suppose it would be a different story if you were to go alone in the Cross, but let's face it: walking alone is just asking for trouble, walking down alleyways by yourself is practically a catcall for danger, and being drunk and alone in Kings Cross is not an experience you want to have. With that being said, you wouldn't do these things in most suburbs in Sydney anywaywhy do it in the Cross?
To me,Kings Cross is about as dangerous as any other location with large groups of drunk people. Avoiding this area on a Saturday night doesn't mean that you'll be safer. No matter where you go, someone can always start a fight, or take drugs. If you look after yourself and always stay in a group, the chances of running into trouble are pretty minimal. Have a good time, but don't forget: your mum told you "stay away from strangers" for a reason.
