One Of Sydney’s Most Iconic Nightclubs Is Closing Its Doors Tomorrow Night
Tomorrow's your last night to have a teapot at The World Bar.
Sydney, tomorrow night will be your last opportunity to split a teapot. The World Bar is closing down.
In a Facebook post, the eighteen-year old Kings Cross venue announced that it would throw its last party tomorrow night before closing for good. As a silver lining, the venue’s final night will be The Wall, its institutional Wednesday night.
“Over the last 18 years, this Kings Cross stalwart has thrown some of Sydney’s most renowned club nights and live music events,” the post reads.
“The venue’s rich history includes infamous sets featuring Australia’s highly-regarded electronic artists from Ajax to Flume, Alison Wonderland and Nina Las Vegas, plus unforgettable live performances including DZ Deathrays, Gang of Youths and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, who helped pave the way for a seminal period in Sydney’s live music and nightlife timeline.
“This is obviously heartbreaking stuff. After being part of the Sydney music scene for more than 18 years, it’s tough to close the doors on a venue that really is like a big family. We’re very proud of the role we’ve played in fostering young music talent and creating a safe space for all.”
In the statement, the bar acknowledge that Sydney’s lock-out laws have had “a huge impact” on their business since their implementation in 2014. Which isn’t surprising: a 2016 report by City of Sydney council revealed that late night foot traffic along Oxford Street and in the Kings Cross area dropped by 80%. Despite that, the post is optimistic about Sydney’s future, saying they have “hope” — if the public let their voices be heard.
“We need the authorities to show true leadership and to make positive decisions for the music and creative communities and for everyone who likes to be social at night! Public opinion and pressure are mounting and now we need our elected officials to be brave and make positive changes to the legislation.
“Our parting words to anyone who loves Sydney’s nightlife are these – the best way to rebel is to go out. There are great venues and amazing music alive in the Cross and surrounding areas, so please get out there and support all our incredible friends – promoters, venue owners, artists- still battling away for their love of live music.”
Finally, the bar say thank you to its patrons, staff and performers over the past few years, as well as a “sympathetic landlord who has made this difficult decision as smooth as possible.”
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, as of May this year 418 licensed premises in Kings Cross and the CBD have closed since the introduction of the laws at the beginning of 2014. Most recently, Sydney’s Hudson Ballroom (neé GoodGod Small Club) quietly closed earlier this year.
On the plus side, the post ends with an open-ended promise to “watch this space”. In the meantime, you can always hit up their sister bar in Queenstown.
Read the post in full below.
The World Bar’s Facebook Statement
Hi Friends,
We are sad to tell you that we will be closing the doors of the The World Bar Sydney this Thursday 29 November 2018. Our final show on Wednesday is set to be a cracker, so come and join us for one last night to say goodbye at The Wall.
Over the last 18 years, this Kings Cross stalwart has thrown some of Sydney’s most renowned club nights and live music events. The venue’s rich history includes infamous sets featuring Australia’s highly-regarded electronic artists from Ajax to Flume, Alison Wonderland and Nina Las Vegas, plus unforgettable live performances including DZ Deathrays, Gang of Youths and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, who helped pave the way for a seminal period in Sydney’s live music and nightlife timeline.
This is obviously heartbreaking stuff, after being part of the Sydney music scene for more than 18 years it’s tough to close the doors on a venue that really is like a big family. We’re very proud of the role we’ve played in fostering young music talent and creating a safe space for all.
The obvious connection that people will make on our closure is the effect of the lock-out laws. It’s undeniable that they have had a huge impact on us, as well as Sydney’s live music scene. However, we believe there is a solution here, we have hope. We need the authorities to show true leadership and to make positive decisions for the music and creative communities and for everyone who likes to be social at night! Public opinion and pressure are mounting and now we need our elected officials to be brave and make positive changes to the legislation. Safety and entertainment ARE achievable, we have seen this put into practice in global cities around the world.
Our parting words to anyone who loves Sydney’s nightlife are these – the best way to rebel is to go out. There are great venues and amazing music alive in the Cross and surrounding areas, so please get out there and support all our incredible friends – promoters, venue owners, artists- still battling away for their love of live music.
On behalf of everyone at The World Bar, a massive thank you to our 2500 staff, 4500 DJs, 1000 bands and thousands upon thousands of punters who have walked through our doors over the last two decades. We hope we’ve been able to put smiles on people’s faces and create a few hazy memories.
We would also like to thank a sympathetic landlord who has made this difficult decision as smooth as possible.
Cheers for everything, and watch this space, who knows when you might see us again…
Love, Wardy, and The World Bar crew x
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Image via And Then Facebook page.