Sydney’s Oxford Street gets its groove back: 15 new venues in six months

Many businesses are struggling but Oxford Street is bucking the trend with 15 new venues opening in the past six months: just in time for World Pride and Mardi Gras to collide.

Oxford Street is back: Just in time for World Pride, Noir nightclub is launching a new night, Lavender Lounge with the help of Faggy McQueen and Jay Fishr. Meanwhile old icon Arq has been reborn and reopened. The clubs are two among about 15 bars, restaurants and hospitality venues to open in the past six months along the famous strip. Pictures: Richard Dobson/Supplied

Lockout laws, rising rents and Covid lockdowns tarnished the shine of the party central that once was Sydney’s Oxford Street.

But with Sydney’s annual Mardi Gras shaking off the shackles of the pandemic and set to collide with World Pride in the city in February, the famous strip has got its groove back.

While many businesses in the state are struggling, Oxford Street is bucking the trend and identifying with cool again, with 15 new venues opening in the area in the past six months in the lead up to World Pride.

Sydney is the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to host World Pride, which is commonly referred to as the gay Olympics, and it will take place in February.

Taking place every two years, it has the goal of promoting and advocating for LGBTIQA+ rights around the world and it’s estimated that it will generate more than $664m for the economy.

In the lead up to World Pride Oxford Street, which has long had a reputation as a LGBTIQA+ precinct, has become a hub of activity and it’s seen the return of iconic nightclub Arq, the launch of Heaven, and the opening of Meraki Arts Bar among others.

Pictured at Noir nightclub on Oxford Street in Darlinghurst is Jay Fishr. Picture: Richard Dobson

Popular dance party, Poof Doof, which was being housed in The Ivy, is also set to take up permanent residence on Kinselas on Oxford Street.

Socialite Jay Fisher said the event, and arrival of the “pink dollar” has helped motivate the area to get its act together.

“Oxford Street has lost sparkle in last five years but now with more venues opening, there is a sense of being able to go bar hopping and you can make your way down the strip. It’s more exciting when everyone gets on board and all the venues are activated. We all benefit from that.”

Fisher himself is set to launch the Lavender Lounge at another new Oxford Street nightclub Noir, which is the site of Nevermind and where Lady Gaga has performed.

While Noir has had a more heterosexual focus of clientele, Fisher’s Lavender Lounge will be a high end, bottle service cocktail lounge that caters for the LGBTIQA+ community.

“Inspired by the clubs in LA or NY, it’s the missing link queer luxury hospitality on Oxford Street. It’s going to be a “queer luxe” venue with sexy waiters, progressive techno music and a sexy vibe,” said Fisher.

Lil Nas X pics with fans at Arq nightclub. Picture: Supplied

Fisher, who was the host of a controversial podcast called Sydney Gays which was cancelled after four episodes in 2019, said his learnings from that experience have helped make the new venue an inclusive space and experience for those who want a premium offering on Oxford street.

Arq owner Shadd Danesi said since relaunching the famous nightclub in December, which shut during Covid and was going to be sold off, over 30 000 guests have come through the revolving doors.

“When we first opened doors in 1999, there was great excitement, with lines stretching down the street. Oxford Street was an incredible place to be, even at 3am there was a sea of people lining the street. It‘s no secret that there has been a massive decline, but World Pride presents an exciting opportunity to restore the area to its former glory,” he said.

New look, same grand tradition: Arq’s “Trash Alley. Picture: David Swift

“We are also seeing more venues popping up, particularly with Poof Doof moving to Kinselas, which is an amazing step forward. We want our guests to have options, and all these new venues are doing a great job boosting each other and bringing buzz back to the area.”

NSW’s 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said the new venues were helping to write a new chapter for one of Sydney’s most iconic precincts for night-life.

“What’s really welcome is the diversity of venues opening, from cafes to clubs, offering different activities at night to a range of audiences. It also shows great confidence in the area that so many businesses are opening there,” he said.

Arq owner Shad Danesi. Picture: David Swift

Meraki Arts Bar Co-Founder Kieran Took said the introduction of Sydney’s lockout laws in 2014, which restricted patrons entry into venues late at night to try to stop alcohol violence, was “devastating” for some of the rich and exciting late night venues in the area and then Covid didn’t help.

”Now that the city is slowly coming back, and with World Pride around the corner, there is hope and life being seen in this part of Oxford Street. A year ago every building was empty. Now more and more shop fronts are opening up, people are starting to venture past Taylor Square and you can feel the energy,” said Took.

“We still have a long way to go, but I’m confident that the community and all walks of life are thirsty for more culture and more things to see and do at night.’

Sydney’s World Pride will coincide with the 45th year of Mardi Gras, and will see the famous parade return to Oxford Street after having to relocate to become a ticketed event for the past two years at the Sydney Cricket Ground because of the Covid pandemic.

Originally published as Sydney’s Oxford Street gets its groove back: 15 new venues in six months