Newtown comeback kid
Owners of the Newtown Hotel, Newtown Colonial Hotel, have re-lodged their application for a liquor licence, under the name of Helen Kritikos. The application will be considered under the state’s new liquor laws.
The application, on display outside the building, states an intention for the venue to have a 500 person capacity, with provisions for live entertainment. There is no mention of whether it would be run as a gay venue.
No mention has been made of former licensee David McHugh’s licence, which is still attached to the premises.
A media spokesman for the NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing confirmed they had not yet received an application for the removal of McHugh’s licence, which could affect Newtown Colonial Hotel’s chances.
Comments on the submission can be directed to Gwynne Thompson Solicitors, PO Box K59. Haymarket 1240 or email [email protected].
The application goes to the Downing Centre on April 7.
Bloody hell pull ya finger out ! Am itchin to go out in the style only the impy can offer ! Lets hope its like it was and not gentrified like is happening to all the others
Dan & Tarrant, I agree that the available venues aren’t always patronised approriately.
But part of the appeal of the Newtown and the Imperial was (and hopefully will be again) is their proximity to each other.
I suspect that there are few gay men who have lived in the inner west for the last few years who can hold their hand up and say they have never done the midnight walk from the Newie to the Impie.
I agree with the comment made by John. Simply put; if a huge number of gay men start drinking at a reopened Newtown, how will it not be a gay pub?
There’s more than just Manacle at Petersham. Manacle is just a part of the Clarence Hotel which is entirely a gay venue, corner of Parramatta Rd and Crystal St.
While it would be very nice if the ‘old’ Newtown Hotel came back, there is a tendency for the old to come back as straight rather than a gay venue.
I think it fair to say that at times the gay community doesn’t support the available facilities too well.
However, i agree about the Imperial, it’s reopening has been imminent for a very long time now, i have given up on it.
If we all just go to the place, do they have a choice?
Its not a “Comeback” if its a straight pub!!.fantasy land again!
There’s Manacle in Petersham
Hi Tim,
Good news !the Imperial has had its crowd limit agreed with the council – so its one step closer to re-opening…..
I too hope the Newtown remains a gay friendly venue… it and the Imperial hold most of my memories of coming out as a gay man… we need these venues in the inner west to support our culture… it is sad to see, as acceptance grows our venues shrink……..
Shame they (owners, not licencee)were not so nice to the gay patrons when it was open (closed), I am far more likely to try and wait for the Imperial to re-open… does anyone remember that?… it’s been trying to open for ages now, whats the hold up?
I agree with Pat.
The instant the doors open is the instant I will be in the front bar asking for a beer.
There are a lot of pubs in the area and although some of them have tried to get the old Newie crowd to come and drink at thier venues none of them have tried to become a gay pub with drag and trivia and Santa at Christmas.
I say as soon as they open the pub we simply go home and pretend that it didn’t ever close.
I think that anyone reading the application posted in the window can work out that it will be a gay pub again.
I hope it comes back gay. But I have a funny feeling its gonna end up straight like all other venues on King Street. I hope Im wrong.
I don’t care if they state it or not!……!
Bring back the Newtown…..!
We need an inner west gay pub and we will take it over whether the owners like it or not…..!
I miss you Newtown……!
Why would it have to state such a thing?
“There is no mention of whether it would be run as a gay venue.”
Does an application for a liquor licence normally mention whether a venue is to be run as gay or straight place?