Outstanding performance prompts Throb to stay open in January for the first time in its history

A SURPRISE economic rainbow will keep Darwin’s only gay nightclub open throughout January for the first time in its 20-year history

Throb Nightclub will stay open in January. Picture: Glen Campbell

• Throb to throw open its doors for 20th birthday bonanza

A SURPRISE economic rainbow will keep Darwin’s only gay nightclub open throughout January for the first time in its 20-year history.

Tim Palmer, owner of the Throb nightclub, confirmed the venue wouldn’t close from New Year’s Day for four weeks as normal as the business was doing better than it ever has.

MORE TOP NEWS

Territorians spark largest retail growth in decade amid COVID-19

REVEALED: The NT’s most influential people on Instagram

Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission cost to taxpayer revealed

He credited the success to Territory authorities allowing venues like his to reopen in late June, complete with the ability to dance, unlike in most other jurisdictions where party animals were made to sit and shimmy.

“A nightclub without dancing is like a bar with no alcohol,” he said.

Nightclub dancefloors remain closed in Queensland, Victoria and NSW.

Mr Palmer said, anecdotally, there were interstate patrons at Throb who had flown up to Darwin specifically because nightclubs could operate unhindered.

OFFER EXTENDED: Amazing NT News subscription offer: Read everything for $1

Initially hesitant when the NT eased coronavirus restrictions on June 17 about whether or not dancing would be allowed, Mr Palmer said Throb was able to open for its 20th birthday on June 20 as possibly the only gay nightclub able to operate globally.

“The whole world and the rest of the country (in lockdown) and little old Darwin has done something that has given my industry and my business its livelihood back and it’s no small feat to have done that,” he said.

Follow @MaduraMcCormack