Sydney nightclub cancels weekly party citing ‘constant harassment’ by police

A mainstay Sydney nightclub that has received government grants and was praised by Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham says it has been forced to shut down on Sundays in response to serial harassment by police over its licensing conditions.

Police, however, have said they are also investigating a report of a serious violent incident at the venue, Club 77, a late-night destination on William Street in Darlinghurst for the past 25 years.

Venue owner Luke Thomson at Club 77.Credit: Louie Douvis

On August 25, it started a new weekly party running from 6am on Sundays until 4am on Mondays, billed as an “after-hours experience for industry, hospo workers and community” that would fill a gap in the market and help elevate Sydney’s nightlife in line with other global cities.

But six weeks later, the venue has cancelled it after what it described as a campaign of “constant harassment and intimidation” by Kings Cross police. “It has just been non-stop,” said licensee Dane Gorrel, who said police were “extremely negative and dismissive” of the event when Club 77 told them their plans before the events began.

Since then, he said, the venue had been under “constant pressure”, including on a recent evening when 13 officers and a dog patrolled the club at once. “There was literally one police officer per 12 square metres of floor space,” Gorrel said.

On Monday, Gorrel received an email – seen by the Herald – from senior constable Robert Flook in the licensing unit of Kings Cross police, advising him police were investigating possible breaches.

Club 77 owner Dane Gorrel, right, with The Presets at the Darlinghurst venue in 2022.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

The email said Flook was looking into whether there were more than 20 people in the queue for the venue after 2am, whether people in the queue were standing more than two abreast, whether the club’s pass-out system was working as required and whether it was open longer than permitted.

Police also demanded Gorrel hand over records including till journals and point-of-sale summaries for all sales for the past six weeks, including drinks and tickets, as well as incident logs and hours of CCTV footage for the past three weekends.

While Gorrel said there had been no incidents at the venue, late on Friday NSW Police said they were investigating “a report of a serious violent incident” that occurred in late August. “The investigation is also covering related licensing issues.”

Gorrel’s business partner Luke Thomson said he was unaware of any such incident and the police had not raised it with the venue. “If they are [investigating] they haven’t told us,” he said.

On Thursday, Club 77 told social media followers the Sunday parties were on hold until further notice due to mounting pressure from “a certain government body”.

Venue owner Luke Thomson said he was unaware of any incident in August and the police had not raised it with the venue.Credit: Louie Douvis

“We’re genuinely concerned about the actions of this governing body and the safety risks they pose to our community, the nighttime economy, the venue and our personal safety as directors and owners,” they said.

Kings Cross police inspector Martha Winch said officers regularly conducted inspections in all venues to protect people’s safety because police wanted to prevent alcohol-related assaults. Asked why police were investigating possible breaches of licensing conditions, she said: “That’s licensing police’s job. That’s what licensing police do.“

The development comes amid a broader debate about the role of NSW Police at venues and music festivals as the state government seeks to improve the reputation of Sydney’s nightlife.

A prominent part of that ecosystem, Club 77 was recently awarded a $100,000 government grant for soundproofing. At a budget estimates hearing at state parliament last month, the nightlife minister was asked whether the venue was being harassed by police.

“I’m aware that they had struck some trouble recently, but I’m not aware of the details,” Graham said. “We can’t afford to lose more venues. Over the years, this has been a good venue.”

NSW 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues told the same estimates hearing he was aware of the situation but had not discussed it with Club 77. He said improving the co-ordination between development consents and licences was a core part of the government’s agenda.

Asked for comment on Friday, Graham said Rodrigues was now in contact with the industry, the venue and police about the matter.

Gorrel said the loss of the Sunday party would damage Sydney’s electronic music community and hurt workers, artists and suppliers. He said his experience with NSW Police was not unique.

“The only thing that is holding this state back with these vibrancy and nightlife reforms is the police,” he said. “Everyone’s scared to speak up.”

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