El Patron, Gregory Hills: Nightspot lodges plans to increase standing capacity

One of the southwest Sydney’s premier nightspots has released plans to boost capacity to cater for its growing popularity as the region comes back to life in the wake of Covid.

Kimberly D’Mello, James Dona and Layla Hessey at El Patron in Gregory Hills.

One of the Macarthur region’s premier nightspots has released bold plans to boost its capacity to cater for its “thriving” popularity.

El Patron bar and restaurant at Gregory Hills launched in 2021 and is known for its vibrant atmosphere, with videos posted on its social media showcasing DJs, cocktails, and a bustling dance floor.

Now, the owners have plans to increase the vibrancy of night-life in the region.

El Patron’s chief of operations Rami Taleb said a proposal was lodged with Camden Council to increase the hours and capacity by 100 patrons.

According to documents submitted to council this would see 231 seated and 100 standing customers allowed inside the venue at one time.

El Patron in Gregory Hills.

In a pre-application advice letter, a Camden Council staff member said the “late-night operations of the premises on a Friday and Saturday evening were more akin to a nightclub as opposed to a ‘restaurant’.”

It noted the owners had suggested a 3am closing time, but this was not included in the final plans submitted to council.

According to the proposal, El Patron would continue to provide a mixture of background music and live entertainment.

However, Mr Taleb said the idea behind El Patron was not a nightclub but a “hybrid” entertainment model commonly seen in venues throughout the eastern suburbs.

“We believe the southwest suburbs could benefit from these hybrid models that you see all over eastern suburbs where people can come and enjoy a meal and drinks at a restaurant and bar facility and then have fun listening to music and maybe dancing later in the evening,” he said.

“It’s still a restaurant and a bar, not a nightclub, but it’s about extending what we can offer.

“The area is growing, and there has been so much investment in the region, and with more people working here and living here, they need places to let their hair down and have some fun.”

Mr Taleb said people from the Macarthur region should not have to “pay a fortune” in cabs, public transport or even hotel costs to go somewhere and enjoy themselves.

He said the eastern suburbs benefited from venues where people could eat, drink, dance and catch up, and it was time for the west to see similar venues open up.

“At the moment, we have strict 6pm and 8pm table seatings, and we have to ask people to leave so we don’t exceed our capacity,” Mr Taleb said.

“This would allow people to continue enjoying their night and having fun without leaving, especially when there are limited options in the area.

“During Covid, we didn’t know if we were going to make it ... now we are thriving, and we want to extend our capacity to offer a better service to the region. We believe in boosting western Sydney’s night-life for the region’s people.”

Originally published as El Patron, Gregory Hills: Nightspot lodges plans to increase standing capacity