Red Square and Zhivago poke fun at Precinct Nightclub after doors were locked due to thousands of dollars worth of unpaid rent

A war of words has broken out on social media between rival nightclubs after one was forced to close due to unpaid rent.

A nightclub war has broken out on social media after a Hindley St venue had its doors locked by its landlord, which claims it failed to pay thousands of dollars worth of rent.

The Precinct Nightclub, at 27 Hindley St, opened its doors just 12 months ago and described itself as “South Australia’s premiere hip hop club”. But that is no longer.

A termination notice was issued to the Precinct27 Pty Ltd on February 28 stating the lessor, Duke King William Pty Ltd, had taken possession of the premises because of $37,786.07 in unpaid rent.

Neighbouring rival club Red Square was quick to poke fun at the nightclub’s demise in a post to social media that depicted a man smiling in front a gravestone with the Precinct Nightclub logo.

“Tonight we pay our respects, with $3 vodkas ‘til 12am,” the post read.

“We are honouring all Precinct drinkcards. To any staff that hadn’t already left, feel free to apply for work with us here.”

Popular Currie St venue Zhivago joined in on the pile-on.

“Red Square and I currently busy attending a funeral atm. See you all tonight from 9pm,” it read.

The Precinct Club notified its patrons on social media on Saturday night of the closure and hit back at rival venues.

Red Square have poked fun at rival venue Precinct Nightclub which was forced to close due to unpaid rent.

Zhivago also posted to social media about the closure.

“It saddens us to let all our awesome patrons know that Precinct closed this week,” it read.

“It saddens us that a venue would make fun of the fact our staff are now unemployed.

“We would like to thank Dog and Duck for showing some respect in a very hard time for a lot of people. I guess all the staff and DJs will be at Dogs tonight.”

The Dog and Duck nightclub sits adjacent to Red Square and condemned their neighbour’s gibe.

“We would like to think patrons who loved Precinct would be as upset as the ex Precinct staff to see this kind of post,” it wrote.

“Any venue that thinks the loss of 70 jobs is something to joke about, shows a complete disregard for all the staff who lost their jobs.”

The Precinct Nightclub informed its patrons of its closure in a post to social media on Saturday.

But one commenter expressed her disappointment at how Precinct Nightclub staff had handled the closure.

“How do you post this on Facebook without informing all of your staff? We know of a staff member who has only found out through this post,” they wrote.

“Pretty bloody disgusting and a poor form of business.”

It is a huge fall from grace for the Precinct Nightclub who just weeks ago welcomed internationally recognised Australian DJ Timmy Trumpet to play at the venue.

It is understood the disdain from some rival clubs was associated with “poaching” of staff and DJs when the venue first launched in February 2022.

A warrant has been issued for a debt collector to distrain goods from the venue – including bistro bar and equipment – totalling the amount of rent due.

An invoice was issued to the embattled nightclub for $50,833.56 to cover rent and outgoings.

Precinct Nightclub was contacted for comment