Redfern’s The Dock bar forced to close amid cost of living crisis

A popular inner city bar has been forced to close its doors because of changing demographics, “Covid hangover” and the cost of living crisis. Here’s what the owner had to say.

Owner Tom Whittle (left) and a co-worker (right) behind The Dock’s bar. Picture: Provided

A popular Redfern bar has been forced to close its doors because of changing demographics, “Covid hangover” and the cost of living crisis.

The dive-inspired bar The Dock, located on the corner of Redfern and Regent St, opened in 2011 where countless married couples met, lifelong friendships were created and the drinks didn’t stop flowing … until now.

Owner Tom Whittle ran the bar for five years and said he didn’t want the “community spirited” venue’s era to end but had to latch the bolts on May 26.

“We didn’t want it to close, let’s put it that way. We did everything we could to keep it open,” he said.

The 40-year-old said there were plans for a new upstairs venue at the beginning of the pandemic, but it began to get “really tough” for the venue after the second lockdown.

The outside of the Dock bar. Picture: Google Maps

He said the project, which was anticipated to have approvals completed within six months, turned into 24 months as red tape and tightening criteria slowed it down resulting in tens of thousands down the drain.

“By the time we had received the approvals, the economy had dropped off so the project was on the back burner and the business in debt,” Mr Whittle said.

The Dock owner Tom Whittle. Picture: Provided

He said a landlord dispute was the nail in the coffin.

Mr Whittle added the cost of living crisis had not helped with Redfern losing three bars in six months.

“Since Covid a lot of young professionals and creative types had moved out of the area because of the increased rental and house prices,” he said.

“Those who moved in are staying home because they are they are haemorrhaging on rent and mortgage, I gather.”

The bar on a Saturday night. Picture: Supplied

Tom Whittle posing with a disconnected old school phone outside the bar. Picture: Supplied

The Dock was known as a place where people from all walks of life could come in and have a chat and emerging artists were encouraged to play.

“It was a good thing to foster and nurture, giving people the opportunity to have their first gig and things like that. We were a big part of the Redfern community,” Mr Whittle said.

Mr Whittle said he was still in the thick of dealing with the fallout of the venue’s closure but plans to get a job as a licensee at another venue.

“I would definitely like to run another bar again, but that will be some time in the future,” he said.

Locals expressed their devastation about the bars closure on Instagram, with one man commenting: “The sun which I have revolved for the past almost 15 years. Rip Dock.”

“My second home, my extended family,” another man wrote.