Devine Property sells iconic Hobart landmark at 201 Liverpool Street where Flamingos is housed

The sale of popular Hobart entertainment venue has added to unease in the city’s LGBTQIA+ community amid stress brought on by COVID-19 restrictions.

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THE sale of Hobart entertainment venue Flamingos has added to unease in the city’s LGBTQIA+ community amid stress brought on by COVID-19 restrictions.

Hannah Vermeulen has performed as a contract worker at Flamingos Dance Bar as a “very mouthy, but very funny” drag queen under the name Trey L’Trash.

She said venue closures during the coronavirus pandemic threatened employment and places LGBTQIA+ people could gather in public.

Hannah Vermeulen who performs as a drag queen under the name Trey L'Trash out the font of Flamingos Dance Bar on Liverpool Street which has recently been sold. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“In drag I feel unstoppable, it transforms me into someone else and it gives me confidence,” she said.

“All of my evening gigs and festivals have been cancelled which has been really, really tough.

“My drag work has been really affected as a lot of my work is performing and choreography which is about getting people up and dancing.”

Ms Vermeulen said many of her friends in the LGBTQIA+ community had missed dancing and watching live performances more than they missed going out to drink.

“That for them is a form of meditation and great release,” she said.

The performer said Flamingos was the only venue in Tasmania dedicated to the queer community.

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But the recent sale of the 201 Liverpool St building by Devine Property has raised questions over whether Flamingos will continue operating under new land owners.

The property was advertised for offers over $1 million and was sold last week.

Selling agent Kat Little said she understood the business owners of Flamingos would continue operations as best as they can with the current dance ban.

Flamingos reopened on July 31 and is now operating on Friday and Saturday nights.

It is understood the nightclub has operated in Liverpool St space for the past 10 years.

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Ms Vermeulen said she hoped Flamingos would remain open and said she wished to see more queer friendly venues and events pop up.

She said she looked forward to an upcoming drag gig at the Salty Dog Hotel in October and was exploring options for an alcohol-free instructional dance event that would comply with COVID-19 guidelines.

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Going to a gay bar is considered a rite of passage for LGBTQIA+ people.

An Equality Tasmania spokesman said “so long as there is stigma and discrimination against LGBTQIA people, there will need to be places where we feel safe, included and able to be ourselves.”

“In Tasmania, Flamingos is one such place, so we all really hope it will remain open.”