North Terrace nightclub Fat Controller Club closed for good due to “industry uncertainty”

Another controversial Adelaide nightclub – fined for Covid breaches in 2020 – has announced it’s closing its doors permanently.

Another Adelaide nightclub has announced it’s closing its doors permanently.

The owners of North Terrace nightclub Fat Controller Club have revealed they are shutting down effective immediately, blaming “industry uncertainty” for the decision.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of Fat Controller Club effective immediately,” said a post on the club’s social media accounts.

“The past few years have been a challenging journey, and despite our best efforts, the ongoing uncertainties within the industry have rendered it unviable for us to continue operations.

“To everyone who joined us and contributed to Fat Controller over the last eight years, we extend our sincere appreciation.

“As we close this chapter, we thank you for being a part of our journey and for making the Fat Man what it was.”

The club, which opened in 2015, was fined $5000 in July 2020 for ignoring Covid restrictions and allowing revellers to dance in a mosh pit.

Footage showed people in close contact dancing and running into each other.

A police statement at the time said the venue’s failure to comply with Covid restrictions “potentially puts the public at risk and the licensing sector at risk of further restrictions.”

Boy George kicks off his DJ Tour of Australia in Adelaide at Fat Controller. Picture: Jack Turner Photography

Kristian Nairn, aka Hodor, playing at Adelaide's Fat Controller. Picture: Harry Allwood

Fat Controller also played host to several big-name music acts over the years, including Boy George and Kristian Nairn, aka Hodor from Game of Thrones.

The news of Fat Controller’s closure comes days after Hindley St nightclub Dog and Duck announced it would be shutting its doors on January 1st.

The club’s management also took to social media to announce the news, which they say was prompted by issues caused by the pandemic.

“Dog and Duck navigated its way through Covid and the years since as best we could, but the landscape has changed to the point that there is uncertainty through our whole industry,” the post said.

Hundreds of patrons commented on social media, expressing their sadness at the closure.

“Very sad to see such a big staple of the Adelaide night-life industry go under after so many years,” one person said.

“It was a place full of talented and promising DJs.”