Imperial battle cost $500K
Patrons of the soon to re-open Imperial Hotel could be left footing the bill for over half a million dollars in legal fees, which have made cover charges a must.
Imperial owner Shadd Danesi said he is “extremely happy” with last week’s ruling in the Land and Environment Court, which will allow 442 patrons into the entertainment area Monday through Thursday, and 778 over the weekend.
The increased numbers have been permitted over a 12-month trial period, and do not include the number of people allowed into the general bar area.
Danesi confirmed that when the venue re-opens in November, there will be a cover charge. “There has to be, to pay for all of this and the renovations,” he told Sydney Star Observer. “It will run similarly to how it used to, the public bar will be free to go into, but if I’m providing DJs and entertainment, then that costs money, so I have to have a cover charge.
“It’s taken me five court cases and in excess of half a million dollars in legal fees to get to this stage. As a small business that’s an utter disgrace — no wonder nobody wants to open a small to medium-sized business in Sydney.
“I’d like to see councils acting in a more conciliatory way, where there are honest discussions. If a hotelier is legitimately doing the wrong thing then the evidence needs to be shown to the hotelier.
“Some [hoteliers] have invested millions of dollars. I’ve spoken to a lot of them about this, and we feel as though we are treated like criminals. We are legitimate businesses. If you have a rogue hotelier who is doing the wrong thing, I don’t think any normal hotelier would support that.”
A City of Sydney spokeswoman responded, “The City previously approved 442 patrons in all entertainment areas, in an attempt to limit the hotel’s impact on nearby residents. The City’s concerns were based on noise and anti-social behaviour.
“The limit handed down by the court does not apply to the number of patrons in the public bar or the gaming room as they are not deemed to be entertainment areas under planning laws, therefore the total patron number for the entire venue is up to 1500 people at any one time.” She said this number would have to be controlled.
The court has imposed a plan of management which demands staggered shutting times for the bars and a security presence to direct patrons to taxis and bus pick-up points.
What date is the Imperial opening? Will it be open for New Years Eve(2009)? How much will it cost to get in; costs for the various types of alcoholic drinks and what time will you close on New Years day? I want to get back to that fabulous pub this New Years EVE and ave a good move on the dance floor.
The Cost of Dj’s… At $75-$80 per hour if we’re lucky…?
I’d even pay $15 on a Sat, $10 on a Friday.. But that’s with inner west drink prices not $7 for a spirit.. !!
As I recall the $5 cover charge for the shows and cellar bar was introduced by the owners between Dawn and Shadd. Mitzi often said, you were getting 4 (or more) drag shows for that $5 and some of the best shows in Sydney at the time. Although it has to be said the cover charge was only on Fri and Sat nights. The legendary Thur nights – Rocky Horror and Wizard of Oz – had no cover charge. Drink prices were also reasonable. If the new cover charge is more than $10 and it costs over $5 for a beer then that might sour the reopening.
Should be same as Stonewall – $5 bucks. Afterall by the time you drag your ass all the way their, cough up for a drink or two…. you’ve already seen the best part of $30 bucks dissappear….
Think they should do a GFC special – Free entry for the 1st month, it’ll more than likely be the opposite though. They’ll charge everyone to go in, have snoop at the renos, then drop / lower the charge after they don’t get the numbers in.
As for the outside – leave it as it is… otherwise we’ll only see a whole other court battle on again about whether they should scrub or sponge the bricks down and whether the doors should be pink purple or brown.
Get an opening date advertised and get the queue building…
Place your bets now…
Not to nitpick Andrew, but the dance area of the Imperial did NOT always have an entry fee. That was only brought in under the second lot of owners after Dawn O’Donnell sold the pub in 2002 and the dance area had by then been going for many years – free of charge.
Shadd simply maintained the practice of a cover charge when he bought the hotel.
I’m so sick of hearing about the fact that we have no venues only to hear the same people then moan about an entry fee to one of the few venues that has successfully been saved!
The dance area of the Imperial always had an entry fee. Any club night worth going to charges anywhere between $10 and $15 so what is the problem? The owner has fought a tedious battle to keep a gay venue open and I for one will be supporting him with my patronage. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this town so get over it!
Yep- the outside is really shocking. Even if it’s heritage listed, the materials will rot away if not maintained. The outside looks like it has not been touched since prior to it’s closure.
As far as the cover charge- they had it before… it was free to go into the front bar, and $5 to go out the back to see the Priscilla shows. Fair enough. When it re-opens, I’ll have no problem paying the $5, or even say $10 for the reno’s, but I won’t be going there every week if it is $20 like Arq was (not sure how much it is now as I stopped going to Arq completely). However I used to go to Impy every second week & the cover charge was not a prob. So, $10 maximum please- any higher & going to Impy will be a luxury instead of a weekly visit.
I’m happy to pay a cover for those nights I want to go to a club. It’s expected, and the cost of DJs etc has to be ‘covered’ somehow.
Hopefully it’s no more than $15 to $20 bucks. And Shadd, if $15 is too little, don’t forget there are numbers all the way between 15 and 20… such as 16, 17 etc.
Can’t wait for the reopening!!! How do I get a ticket?
Gay bars are over and dieing out and the sooner the better!
sorry – not spending 20 bucks to get there, to then have to pay to get in… always knew that they were going to charge…. thats why clubs on oxford street are dieing! no one will pay to go to a gay club these days, not with horrendous drink prices!
good luck! I am not coming back out if your charging to get in.
I understand that Mr Danesi has spent a lot of money on our beloved Imperial – and good on him for doing so – we all appreciate it! BUT I wonder does Mr Danesi have any plans to paint the outside of the building? The exterior looks shocking. It is all patchy, dirty and hideous colours – not to mention the question that many of us have – what happened to some of the original timber entrance doors he’s taken off? Currently some of the entrances have UGLY steel doors which completely RUIN the character of this beautiful example of Art Deco architecture! Mr Danesi, can you please tell us more?