Groundswell of support for city bar ordered to close by authorities

About 200 protesters gathered on the footpath outside Bar Wunder on Friday in support of the venue which has been ordered to close its doors.

Some of the protesters move inside Bar Wunder on Ruthven St during Saturday’s showing of solidarity with the venue’s management who has been forced to close the business until January 3 or until the venue complies with the health directive. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Hundreds of supporters have gathered on the Ruthven St footpath outside Bar Wunder Friday in solidarity with the beleaguered venue.

Bar Wunder’s management allegedly refused to comply with a State Government directive that unvaccinated residents were prohibited from entering hospitality and entertainment venues as of December 17.

People protest outside Bar Wunder after the bar was shut down over failing to comply with the public health direction. Picture: Kevin Farmer

After the venue opened its doors to all customers, management was issued a $6892 fine which was screened on social media wrapped around a toilet roll in defiance.

Police attended the Ruthven St venue on Thursday afternoon with a directive to close the business until January 3, or until the business complied with the public health direction, due to management failing to comply with the original public health direction.

People protest outside Bar Wunder after the bar was shut down over failing to comply with the public health direction. Picture: Kevin Farmer

However, Bar Wunder has enjoyed a groundswell of support since and about 200 people packed the footpath outside the venue on Friday from noon holding placards and singing and chanting in support of the venue’s management and its stance against the mandate.

Protestors link arms outside Bar Wunder during the Saturday afternoon protest in a showing of support for the venue’s management. Picture: Kevin Farmer

None of those gathered on Friday would speak with the media and a placard carrying woman had shouted advice to the crowd members “don’t talk to the media”.

A police vehicle drove past the protest site in the north-bound lane of Ruthven St about 12.30pm but did not stop.

Originally published as Groundswell of support for city bar ordered to close by authorities