Melbourne’s biggest gay bar GH Hotel could be bulldozed for apartments

A POPULAR St Kilda bar dubbed “an icon of the Melbourne gay scene” could be torn down to make way for apartments if a planned development is given the green light.

The GH Hotel owners are putting in a planning application as a “safety net” should the bar underperform.

POPULAR St Kilda gay bar the GH Hotel could be torn down to make way for apartments if a planned development is given the green light.

Port Phillip Council confirmed a planning application for an eight-storey building had been received in July.

The proposal includes five shops, 43 dwellings and basement carparking.

St Kilda gay club puts rowdy hens in the pen at the GH Hotel

But a director of the popular nightspot, Karina Harcourt, said immediate plans to close the Greyhound were “absolutely not” on the cards.

“At this stage the Greyhound will still continue,” she said.

“The permit application is more of a back-up plan (for the owners of the building) if the business were to not travel so well or if there was some reason that it needed to be sold.

“My understanding is the business has not been travelling as well as it could be and ... the owners of the property want to hear what their options are.

“There’s no intention to go ahead with (the permit) at this point, it’s a bit of a safety net.”

Drag Bingo is a popular event at the GH Hotel.

Windsor performer Brendy Ford, a regular patron of the GH Hotel, said “it would be a real shame” if the venue closed down.

“It’s an icon of the Melbourne gay scene,” he said.

“It has such a fun atmosphere, it puts on fantastic shows and it’s close and accessible.

“It would be so disappointing if it closed down — it’s one of the few inclusive venues around.”

The Naked Magicians, Christopher Wayne and Michael Tyler, perform at the GH Hotel as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Picture: Richard Serong

Port Phillip mayor Bernadene Voss said “at the earliest” the application would go before the council in February.

“The application was lodged on July 26 but further information was required by council before it could be advertised,” she said.

“Alternatively (it) could be refused under delegation at any time after the advertising period has concluded.

“The application must be considered against the relevant planning controls including council and State Government policy.”

Cr Voss said a copy of the proposal would be available on the council’s website “once public notice of the application commences”.