Sydney's revered venue The World Bar will close due to lockout laws - News - Mixmag
News

Sydney's revered venue The World Bar will close due to lockout laws

The Kings Cross establishment becomes a new victim of Australia's restrictive laws

  • Valerie Lee
  • 28 November 2018
Sydney's revered venue The World Bar will close due to lockout laws

Despite hopes that Sydney's chokehold lockout laws could be removed by the end of the year, yet another beloved venue has fallen victim. The World Bar, an iconic Kings Cross hotspot for electronic music performers and nightlife in the city, has announced its sudden closure on social media.

"We are sad to tell you that we will be closing the doors of the The World Bar Sydney this Thursday 29 November," The World Bar writes on Instagram. "Our final show on Wednesday is set to be a cracker, so come and join us for one last night to say goodbye at The Wall. Over the last 18 years, we have thrown some of Sydney’s most renowned club nights and live music events. We hope we’ve been able to put smiles on people’s faces and create a few hazy memories."

The announcement was posted along with a photo of the establishment's sign, which has been changed to read: "It’s been wild, gotta go now, stay safe Sydney, thanks for the good times."

More than a handful of pioneering Australian talents have graced the decks at The World Bar, including Flume, Alison Wonderland, Nina Las Vegas, What So Not and more.

"I feel physical pain today seeing this place come to an end," What So Not wrote on Instagram. "The World Bar was the most important residency I've ever had. Every What So Not record EVER got its first few test plays here."

"Through all this lockout bullshit, I've kept returning to Sydney and this venue has still been here," he continues. "The last remaining stronghold of what was one of the greatest creative hubs in the world. A place to still pullup at 1am and go b2b with every young DJ grinding in Sydney, a place to test my album before I sent it to mastering, a place that gave people hope in what they were most passionate for."

View this post on Instagram

I feel physical pain today seeing this place come to an end The World Bar was the most important residency i've ever had. It wasn't a lot of money, but combined with a couple slots around town, just enough for a young aspiring musician to get by & spend their week in the studio, rather than cleaning up peoples tables. Every What So Not record EVER got its first few test plays here. Ppl either roared with a stank face or stopped dancing & went to the bar. I literally used this interaction to decide which records to finish, scrap, rework or release for years! Through all this lockout bullshit, i've kept returning to Sydney & this venue has still been here. The last remaining stronghold of what was one of the greatest creative hubs in the world. A place to still pullup at 1am & go b2b with every young DJ grinding in Sydney, a place to test my album before i sent it to mastering, a place that gave people hope in what they were most passionate for. Watching this campaign of gentrification unfold was my first firsthand experience seeing how easy it was for people of power & influence drum up stats & hysteria (so far from the reality) & just wipe out a community. It made me think a lot about the world & what I want to try do for it. One of my proudest moments was seeing tens of thousands of you march through the streets of Sydney in protest. I don't think i'd seen my generation come together like that in Australia prior Everything does come to an end & something fantastic & new is always around the corner. Keep your passion alive & lends build something new here at home

A post shared by What So Not (@whatsonot) on

Load the next article
Newsletter 2

Mixmag will use the information you provide to send you the Mixmag newsletter using Mailchimp as our marketing platform. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us. By clicking sign me up you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.

Loading...
Loading...
Newsletter 2

Mixmag will use the information you provide to send you the Mixmag newsletter using Mailchimp as our marketing platform. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us. By clicking sign me up you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy. Learn more about Mailchimp's privacy practices here.