Popular Sydney bar, Redfern Surf Club, closes its doors

A beloved and iconic Sydney bar has abruptly closed its doors, with devastated locals calling it a “sad, sad day”.

A beloved and iconic Sydney bar has abruptly closed its doors, leaving the local community devastated.

Redfern Surf Club, on the corner of Botany and Henderson roads, called last drinks for the final time over the weekend.

The venue has since closed its doors, with its owner, Yannick Maslard, confirming the surprising news to media.

“After five awesome years, we decided not to renew our lease at this premises,” he said.

“We’d like to thank the local community for all their support. They’ve been amazing.”

The venue, which was known for tasty tropical cocktails, live music and its laid-back vibe, was home to other community events including speed dating and trivia. The watering hole was a favourite among Redfern locals, many of whom were devastated by the news.

In a touching post to Instagram, the venue described itself as a “neighbourhood bar dreamt up with friends and family”.

“If you could only count the memories squished into the walls of this former chicken shop, a little landlocked surf club with no beach in sight,” the post read.

“The number of people who have wrapped their arms around us and the bar is endless.”

“The number of people who have wrapped their arms around us and the bar is endless,” the venue wrote. Picture: Instagram.

Pub-goers took to the comment section to express their upset.

“This is a sad, sad day. Thank you Yannick and Jade for the best memories and moments at RSC,” one person wrote.

“The small bar with a BIG HEART, you built such a special community around you,” added a second.

A third said: “Going to miss this place so much and all the beautiful people in it.”

The Town and Country Hotel closed down in July after 142 years. Picture: Google Maps.

The news comes less than a month after another well-known pub in Sydney’s inner west closed its doors after 142 years.

The Town and Country Hotel in St Peters shot to fame in the 1980s after Australian singer-songwriter Slim Dusty declared it his “local” in his hit song ‘Duncan’ and featured it in the accompanying music video.

“We drink at the Town and Country. Where the atmosphere is great. I love to have a beer with Duncan, ’Cause Duncan’s me mate,” the lyrics in the classic country song say.

But in July, the venue announced on Facebook it had ceased trading following challenges with its landlords.

“It is with great sadness we write this message to inform you that we’ve had to cease trading as our doors have been locked suddenly and abruptly,” the pub’s owners wrote.

Originally published as Popular Sydney bar, Redfern Surf Club, closes its doors