Imperial to be ticketed?
The Imperial Hotel will not open to the general public before October, though ticketed events may soon be staged there.
Owner Shadd Danesi said he will not re-open the refurbished venue until the Land and Environment Court’s final ruling on October 8, where he is appealing Sydney City Council restrictions on patron numbers.
Internally it’s pretty much finished, but I’m reluctant to open the doors before a decision on numbers is made, he told Sydney Star Observer.
If at 2am, if the Imperial is successful, I have 350 people on the street lining up, they’re going to disturb the community … and if [the council] then says I can’t control the street and could decide to shut me down early.
I’m trying to think outside the square at the moment, so maybe in the lead-up to that court date I might sell a pre-determined number of tickets … or have private parties downstairs.
I’ve been down there and seen the renovations. It’s a hell of a lot more than a ‘lick of paint’. It’s the biggets renovation any gay bar or club has seen in years in this city.The owners are dedicated to providing Newtown/erko with the only gay venue in the hood.
We should all support it, no matter how long it takes.
Was it ( and will it be) a good venue for straight couples looking to experience the atmosphere?
That is so true Mike, the closure of the imperial and the newtown has prob created allot of GLBT people to move on to more “gay” area’s.
There will be no problem with having 350 people lining up to get in, it has been closed far too long and many people have moved on – stop trying to make Imperial a cash cow by making it hold too many people – it is a “local” not the only pub in town.
i live in erko, have to say it looks pretty crumby from outside !
If that picture at the top is a picture of the renovated Imperial Hotel, then I am worried.
Rob. I agree with you totally. Were supposed to be greatful? What for. Care Factor.
Rob get a life of course people care about the Imperial and the reno’s it’s been closed for way too long Sydney needs it’s icon back. BRING BACK THE IMPERIAL HOTEL!!!! and FAST!
Suprise suprise.
Does anyone really care any more?
An old, run-down venue has been given a lick of paint and we – the gay community – are supposed to feel grateful and flock there in droves to wonder at the marvel of the renovations!
the Imperial needs to get a wiggle on otherwise it risks losing too much of its goodwill while closed unfortunately
perhaps it could be the official “recovery” venue for sleaze – that would be a good way to re-launch the Imperial?