Havana to host gay night

Havana to host gay night

There have been mixed reactions on community forums to the announcement that Oxford St’s Havana club is hosting a weekly gay night on Thursdays, starting this week.
The venue has had a bad reputation with some in the GLBT community since DCM’s club night moved there from UN in August last year.
The night, called Boy Bar, is being run by local promoter Mike Chamberlain.
Chamberlain spoke to Sydney Star Observer about the thinking behind the night, which he understands is controversial.
“Some people think, due to a number of incidents involving the club, the gay community should boycott the place,” Chamberlain said. “We see this as part of a wider ‘Take back Oxford St’ campaign that seems to be emerging organically and started with Nevermind a few months ago.”
Chamberlain said his dealings with club management have been positive.
“We were surprised how enthusiastic the management at Havana were to have us on board,” he said. “They’re as determined as we are to demonstrate that Havana can be a gay-friendly venue.
“Further, we wanted to do something different and fresh — everything from our choice of music, decor, venue, entertainment — so Havana seemed a great choice in this respect, as it’s been a while since they had any gay nights there.”
Chamberlain also asked the club to change some of the staff from their regular nights.
Havana licensee Ben Cooper told SSO he was aware of his venue’s image problem but said DCM was one of many promoters who used the club and does not feel the perception is justified.
“Having Boy Bar is not an attempt to correct this … The venue entertains many gay and lesbian patrons, and on special occasions, like two Saturdays ago, even offers drag performances,” Cooper said. “We have in the past run gay nights on our Saturday nights.
“We don’t currently trade on Thursdays, other than for occasional functions, so we were very receptive to the idea, and I’m looking forward to the night.”
Cooper previously told SSO he would change security contractors after a security guard was arrested for an earlier assault during a police raid in May.
However, Cooper told us on Sunday that this had not occurred, but he believed this was not an issue as it was the same company that provides security for Nevermind which hosts gay nights on weekends.

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13 responses to “Havana to host gay night”

  1. I am a regular at Havanas and I love it there I love the music! All my friends love it to! So what if people say stuff to the gays they yell dirty wogs at me and I have a lot of gay friends, so many people love this club why pick on it violence is all over the city not just Havanas. And I’m confused is it turning in to a gay club or not?

  2. DCM has been on oxford st for like 15 years i dont think its gonna go anywhere anytime soon.
    What do you expect 18, and 19 year olds seeing drag queens for the first time not to say anything? its oxford street they will get used to it.
    And from what ive seen so far as a local half the so called homophobic incidences are started by some of our drug f*cked gay friends who are so high and mighty and alot of times racist.

  3. If this club actually supported the gay community one might consider this more than just as it appears – a money grabbing attempt for some extra cash flow on Thursday nights. Putting on a gay night in a club with such an anti gay reputation doesn’t do anyone any favours. I certainly wont be attending and thank everyone for well thought out comments above. My mind can be changed however – when i see evidence of community support. However, just stand out the front door on a saturday night – hardly. Shame on Havana – club de luxe – yeah right.

  4. This is ridiculous! i have worked for Havana and believe me they don’t give a shit about the Gay scene. they are happy with the crowd on weekends and they just wanted to get more money on another night. They are not wanting to become gay on Friday and Saturday and have always been violent. The gay community supporting this event is a Fast. Here we are standing up against Homophobic violence and know we are supporting a homophobic venue. Shame on this promoter why not approach another venue. he is totally to blame and if any Gay person gets abused or hurt it should be on his head. Support the community that supports you. I can’t believe the Gay papers are letting this event advertise. shame on them as well!!

  5. omg.. gross. havana go die. i cant believe people actually went to that. shame on the licensee, AND the promoter.

  6. Well said, Michael, Aleks, & Justin! I am starting a facebook group. This disgusts me.

    What a load of SH*T!

  7. Having recently been subjected to homophobic (verbal) attacks from HAVANA’s security team, my friends and I will not be supporting this event.

    It dusgusts me that this venue can still operate, despite the numerous complaints that many of my friends have made to the Liquor and Gaming Administration.

    I have also been witness to many verbal and physical attacks from security and patrons, to my friends and other members of our community.

    In my opinion, the licensee is not a fit and proper person to hold a license. He has demonstrated this time and time again. The proof is out there on their front door step every Fri & Sat nite for all to see.

    Shame the police are never there to act on it, let alone witness it.

    The actual concept BOYBAR is a good one… I only wish the promoter (Mikey Cee) had done some research regarding the clubs reputation with the community, before deciding to take on such a challenge.

  8. Well said April!
    Havana is far from being seen as gay friendly; I personally have been abused at from this club’s patrons and find that they now want a gay night a bit of a concern.
    What are they looking for here by holding a gay night?
    And what happens when gay patrons visit this club on a weekend night when the crowd is predominantly straight?
    Do we need to support a venue that will possibly see a rise in gay bashing’s?
    And Mike Chamberlain, Nevermind never said that they exist to “take back Oxford st” they said they exist to “provide a friendly atmosphere for friends to socialize and relax.”
    Get your facts right.
    The way I see it if this club wants to be gay friendly then they should go totally gay and be a gay club not have a gay night which, to me, seems as if they are trying to cash in on the gay community and have a gay night on a night that they do not normally trade on.

    I personally will not be visiting this club any time soon.

    Aleks Smith Queer Out West Radio.
    [email protected]

  9. I agree Michael. Even more of a joke is that they actually expect us to go there and spend our money in one of the most violent and homophobic places on Oxford Street.

  10. This is a load of propaganda. No one is taking back the street by putting any money into this venue and its owners.
    This venue is the cause of most of the violence on the strip and has managed to avoid license restrictions because they not only cause the violence but never report it, whilst a venue like stonewal right next door is the one reporting their violence and is now listed in the top five most violent bars in sydney. What a joke!

  11. If Havana’s management want Havana to be seen as a gay friendly venue, why don’t they start by ensuring that their security team has some control over the straight people yelling abuse at the drag queens and gay boys on Fridays and Saturdays?