Strippers back as Dollhouse Gentleman’s Club in Kings Cross reopens
An infamous strip club in the heart of Kings Cross will reopen after a two-year hiatus following a suburban stoush with the local council.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An infamous strip club is polishing the poles in preparation for the return of its performers after a legal battle which pitted Kings Cross’s colourful history against gentrification’s sensibilities.
Dollhouse Gentleman’s Club, in the heart of the Cross, has been closed since 2019 when City of Sydney council refused a development application to allow it to continue operating as a strip club.
Despite the Cross being the historic heart of all-hours entertainment in Sydney, council objected to its hopes to operate 24 hours a day.
Local residents had argued the Dollhouse, which has been on The Golden Mile for 40 years, didn’t fit in with their expectations of a ritzy Potts Point.
One local wrote to council complaining that the club attracted “dubious men”, and protested about the noise when it closed in the early hours.
The Dollhouse took the ban to the Land and Environment Court.
Experts told the court the character of the Cross had changed significantly in recent years, with cashed up Sydneysiders making a home in the suburb, meaning adult entertainment and sex industry venues were required to be 75 metres from each other.
The Dollhouse won its appeal in the court, despite a history of police raids and several liquor licence violations under previous licensee Ulysses Flevotomos. Strippers had been allegedly providing sex services to punters amid rampant cocaine use.
Mr Flevotomos’ mother Helen is now the club’s listed owner. It is not suggested that she has engaged in any wrongdoing.
The Court upheld the Dollhouse’s appeal under condition of a 12-month trial where it can house 100 patrons after midnight. It has to close at 3am.
A council spokeswoman said: “Among the reasons for the original refusal was that the Dollhouse wished to operate 24 hours a day seven days a week with up to 270 people on site. During the hearing the business amended their request to a reduced 180 person capacity, with a maximum of 150 customers.
“The City of Sydney has no current plans to appeal the decision relating to the Dollhouse strip club in Kings Cross.”
The Committee for Sydney’s Matt Levinson said “the idea of zoning out other uses to create a purely residential neighbourhood would undercut the very buzz that draws so many to live, work and visit the area.
“Sparks will inevitably fly at times with so many people living cheek by jowl with venues. What’s needed is a single agency to manage all noise and complaints.”
Potts Point and Kings Cross Heritage and Residents’ Society president Andrew Woodhouse said: “Kings Cross is separate from Potts Point and it’s generally on the verge of a renaissance.
“Kings Cross should be the village that supports residents, it shouldn’t be a free-for-all pub crawl. We’re not going to the bad old days.
“Council are within their right to enforce DA conditions like with the Dollhouse, but when a court upholds an appeal we should respect that.”
The Dollhouse’s management was contacted on multiple occasions this week but was unable to be reached directly for comment.
News tips: anton.rose@news.com.au
‘It will soon be criminal’: NSW beefs up hate speech laws
In the fight against anti-Semitism, the state government is set to introduce new penalties for graffiti on places of worship, displaying Nazi symbols near synagogues, and inciting racial hatred.
Read more
How Sydney Trains drivers’ salaries compare globally
Sydney Train drivers are paid some of the largest salaries of any rail network across the globe, with drivers earning more than their counterparts in Japan and most European countries.
Read more