‘Leave on a high note’: The Argyle CEO reveals why the iconic nightlife venue is closing
After 17-years of partying, the iconic venue will be shutting its doors, but there are big plans for The Argyle in the New Year.
Confidential
Don't miss out on the headlines from Confidential. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The CEO of Hunter Street Hospitality and Pacific Concepts has revealed the reason he decided to close beloved Sydney nightclub The Argyle.
After 17-years of partying and being a mainstay of the cities nightlife scene, the group has called time on The Rocks venue.
CEO Frank Tucker revealed to The Daily Telegraph the decision to close the nightclub was due to the changing nature of how people party.
“We looked at where The Argyle was sitting, and the demand from the consumer, and it was starting to wane,” Tucker said.
“We want to leave on a high.”
While some have blamed the health of Sydney’s late night offerings as reason for the closure, Tucker disagrees.
“I don’t think Sydney’s nightlife is dead. What people want from night-life is changing.”
The hospitality group, which also runs The Rocks venues Sake and The Cut as well as famed Rockpool, has plans to turn the historic space into a 300 seat, up market but approachable, restaurant.
Tucker is in the process of finalising the menu and the concept, with renovation of the site to start January 2, just after their New Year’s celebrations.
The new venue is due to reopen around April and there are also plans to have a late night offering at the site.
“It just won’t be dancing, that’s what changed,” Tucker said.
The decision to shift the focus of the venue comes after the group reopened steak restaurant The Cut, in the September which has been a success.
Tucker said he hasn’t been surprised by the outpouring of love for the venue.
“I’ve been contacted by staff that haven’t worked there in years. Or people saying it’s where they had their first drink,” he said.
Up until it closes, the nightclub has announced a “stacked the calendar with some mammoth events” as part of their closing down shenanigans.
The demons that Robbie Williams is still trying to tackle today
On the eve of his second visit to Australia in a month, Robbie Williams is opening up about his film Better Man, the demons he’s overcome, and those he’s still working on to this day.
New owner of Sydney Seaplanes, restaurant revealed
Australia’s largest private hotel owner will go head to head with Justin Hemmes and Judy McMahon of Catalina, hoping to resurrect Rose Bay into a top hospitality precinct.