Unity restored in Newcastle
Unity nightclub has found a new home in Newcastle only weeks after being forced out in somewhat controversial fashion from its original base at one of the city’s major pubs.
Launched just under two years ago as Newcastle’s first truly inclusive and diverse nightclub, Unity will now run three nights a week at the Crown & Anchor Hotel in Hunter Street, with the grand opening party headlined by DJ Kitty Glitter to be held on Friday, November 8.
The events company behind Unity – Metro Entertainment – said the new location was ideal for their plans for the future.
“The boys at the Crown and Anchor are young, full of ideas and wanted to help the LGBT community of Newcastle plus it’s a great venue” Metro Entertainment director Aaron Little said.
“It’s centrally located, close to public transport, there’s a taxi rank directly outside and with our clubs record of outstanding patron behaviour we think it’s going to be an asset to that area of town and really help to rejuvenate nightlife in a positive direction.”
Unity was forced into temporary hiatus in October after new management at its previous home – the Sydney Junction Hotel – told Metro Entertainment they wished to take the venue “in a different direction” which did not include an emphasis on LGBTI clientele.
Despite those claims, in mid-October, a decision by the new licensee of the Sydney Junction Hotel, Kate Beauchamp, saw the pub’s exterior painted a shade of pink, in a move which caused some upset to Metro Entertainment and to some members of the city’s LGBTI population.
“We received so many calls from licensees, club promoters and venue owners in the Newcastle area and beyond, wanting to take Unity after the Newcastle Herald published their story on Unity”, Little said.
“People are under the perception that Unity is a ‘gay’ bar… but it’s not. Yes, we provide a safe space for the gay, lesbian and transgender community of Newcastle but we also have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination of any sort (race, gender or sexuality) and a zero-tolerance policy on violence or bullying of any type. Everyone is welcome at Unity as long as you are there to have a good time and you believe, accept, respect and promote that everyone is different.”
Statistics from NSW Police show Unity had statistically the lowest recorded incidents of alcohol-related violence in the Newcastle area in the last 12 months and it is that positive vibe, Little said, that the nightclub hopes to bring back.
Unity will be open at it’s new home every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings with guests told to expect award-winning DJs, visiting international and national acts as well as its famous drag shows.
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