‘End this chapter’: Iconic Sydney pub shuts down

It’s last drinks at a cherished Sydney bar as a shock move by the its owners will see its doors close for good.

Sydney’s night-life has suffered another blow with the news that the Oxford Tavern in Petersham will close down.

The popular pub in the inner west, known for its late-night shenanigans, was relaunched by Odd Culture less than a year ago, but the group has announced that it will be closing its doors for good on Sunday, April 2.

The decision comes as the group expands into Victoria, opening a Melbourne iteration of Newtown’s Odd Culture.

Petersham’s Oxford tavern will soon close its doors. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

In a statement, the group said that the Oxford Tavern had been a “saving grace” during lockdowns but that the time had come to “end this chapter”. The pub has a rich history and has been an inclusive Petersham local and queer institution.

“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 statement read.

Odd Culture Group CEO, James Thorpe, who relaunched The Oxford Tavern in winter 2022, said that the venue was one he had gone to when he was younger and declared it to be a venue he would love to own.

Owner of the Oxford Tavern James Thorpe said he had his eyes on the establishment since he was a young lad. Picture: Damian Shaw

“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 Oxford Tavern had topless barmaids and exotic strippers before it underwent a makeover in 2013 under previous owners Drink & Dine.

The closure of the Oxford Tavern is yet another blow to Sydney’s night-life, which has been in decline for some time. In recent years, the city has lost many of its late-night hot spots, with many blaming the state government’s strict lockout laws.

Odd Culture relaunched the venue less than a year ago, but has decided to end this chapter. Picture: Kitti Gould

While it’s sad to see another late-night hotspot disappear from Sydney’s night-life scene, the news of Odd Culture’s expansion into Victoria is a positive development for the group.

The Melbourne iteration of Odd Culture is sure to be a hit with locals, and we look forward to seeing what the group has in store for the city’s hospitality scene.