Popular Darwin nightspot faces an uncertain future

The owner of a popular Darwin venue is worried his lease won’t be renewed but the landlord says there is ‘no dispute’. Read what’s sparked the concerns the safe space could close.

One of Darwin’s best-known nightclubs faces closure as the venue owners and building landlord wrangle over the future of lease and license and an insurance claim.

Throb Nightclub, Darwin’s first LGBTQIA space and Australia’s second-oldest venue, could be gone by Christmas if a dispute between club owners Tim Palme, Mark Marcelis and Karen Dunham and landlord SOLIS Real Estate, a subsidiary of the Halikos Group, is not resolved.

Business and personal partners Mr Palmer and Mr Marcelis, and director Karen Dunham, opened Throb in 2000 to provide a safe place for the Top End’s gay and lesbian community to party.

Mark Marcelis and Tim Palmer enjoying the 2019 Darwin Cup. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

The issue emerged publicly Sunday morning when Mr Palmer posted on social media, saying 23-year-old club’s future was uncertain.

Mr Palmer said a shocking incident at the turn of the century when a gay southern friend who had recently moved to Darwin was “taken out” on the dancefloor of a CBD venue then “thrown out the back with the trash” had fuelled his dream of a gay venue.

He praised then NT Liquor Commissioner Peter Allen and the Commission for the flexibility that allowed the 64 Smith Street venue to operate with a 2am restaurant licence, then for helping it secure a 4am ‘gay-and-lesbian-themed’ licence in about 2002.

Mr Palmer said that 4am LGBTQIA positive licence could soon be lost to Throb if the dispute with the landlord was not amicably resolved.

Throb Nightclub in happier times. Picture: Throb/Facebook

Halikos’ Shane Dingnan said there was no dispute, saying an insurance claim on renovations and flooding in the building was being resolved before negotiations on a new lease got under way.

“There is no dispute,” he said.

“This is about the resolution of an insurance claim from earlier this year.

“That has to be resolved before we can move on with lease negotiations.”

It is hoped the claim will be finalised within the next month.

Mr Palmer and Mr Marcelis disputed this version, saying they were given a notice to vacate the premises within 14 days in April over an occupancy certificate for renovations conducted 11 years ago.

The pair has run multiple venues in Darwin, Sydney and Melbourne and in 2005 launched the hugely popular Resident magazine which focused on Territory society and fashion.

Mark Marcelis and Tim Palmer at the launch of Resident magazine. PATRINA MALONE

Mr Palmer said the 2017 marriage equality plebiscite split Darwin and reconfirmed his belief Throb was vital to the city’s culture.

“The cultural integrity of Darwin cracked in the centre over that,” he said.

“Melbourne has cultural integrity and strength and size.

“Darwin’s a different story. Darwin needs a Throb and we’re not going down without a fight.

“We’re the second longest continuous nightclub operators in the country and with the licence, I think we’re going to fight to represent our community

“We want there to be a venue such as Throb always in existence.

“Part of what keeps us rolling down here is to realise that dream of a permanent venue for Darwin down the track.

“It’s about who’s got their heart in and who’s got their money in it and that’s where you’ll find the real fight. It’s not going to be money that wins this.”