Petersham’s Oxford Tavern to close as Odd Culture Group ends lease

A popular Sydney hotspot known for its late night shenanigans is in limbo after the hospitality group managing it announced it had ended its lease.

The Oxford Tavern in Petersham. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Sydney has lost another late night hotspot as hospitality group Odd Culture ends its lease with Petersham’s Oxford Tavern.

Less than 12 months after relaunching the venue Odd Culture Group announced they aren’t continuing the lease on the popular dive pub which is known for its late night shenanigans.

In a statement, the group said the pub was a “saving grace” during lockdowns however the time was come to “end this chapter”.

“This pub has always held a special place in our heart — a space for our people to march to the beat of their own drum, and create the wild and wonderful, queer-coloured programming that resonated with the Inner West,” the statement read.

“The pub has a rich history, and we are grateful to have operated the place as an inclusive Petersham local, and a queer institution.

Oxford Tavern owner James Thorpe. Picture: Damian Shaw

“We’re proud of everything we’ve put into the Tav. It’s been a wild ride, but the time has come to end this chapter.”

The final day of trade for Odd Culture at the late night hotspot will be Sunday, April 2 and will be closed until new tenants can come on board.

CEO of Odd Culture Group James Thorpe, relaunched The Oxford Tavern in winter 2022.

The Oxford Tavern had become a popular late night hang out for the Inner West community.

At the time the philosophy academic turned hospitality disrupter said the venue was one he went to when he was younger and declared it to be a venue he’d love to own.

“When we bought the pub we were never going to do a whitewash fit out. That’s not our style. We’ve kept the character because that’s the reason we bought it.

“It’s still the home of the steamy late night, it’s just a little cleaner and the kitchen is bigger.”

The decision to end the lease at The Oxford Tavern comes as the group announced its expansion into Victoria, opening up a Melbourne iteration of Newtown’s Odd Culture.