Iconic Rundle St nightclub Sugar to reopen – with a familiar face returning

Sweet, sweet dance music will be coming back to Rundle St when a legendary nightclub reopens its doors.

Sugar nightclub is set to reopen

Iconic Adelaide nightclub Sugar will reopen as part of the Gonzo Group of venues, with founding owner Driller Jet Armstrong returning in an artistic capacity.

Established upstairs on Rundle Street in 2002, Sugar operated for 20 years and hosted more than 870 international acts before closing its doors at the end of last year.

Gonzo Group – which also owns venues including Cry Baby, Shotgun Willie’s, Memphis Slim’s House of Blues and El Camino – has partnered with Armstrong to reopen Sugar on December 1.

DJ Driller Jet Armstrong will return to legendary Adelaide nightclub Sugar in an artistic capacity. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

The reopening night will feature renowned American DJ Joe Claussell, along with a revamped Function One sound system, new lighting rigs and upgraded bar.

Otherwise, Sugar’s fit-out will remain largely unchanged, with the pink interior created in 2020 by Armstrong’s wife, AACTA award-winning costume designer Mariot Kerr.

“It’s the nightclub equivalent of the comeback of the century,” said Armstrong.

“It’s a feat worthy of comparison to Glenn Maxwell’s ODI innings.”

Gonzo Group co-founder Sean Howard said it would take over Sugar’s operations, while Armstrong would be “solely focused on booking acts”.