Small bar eyeing Little Oxford St
The first small wine bar to be approved on Oxford St as part of Lord Mayor Clover Moore’s laneways vision will begin fitout within weeks.
But already the developer and the City of Sydney disagree over whether the as-yet-unnamed bar near the Colombian Hotel will open on Oxford St or the Little Oxford St laneway.
The bar’s director, Jack Brown, has appealed a decision by the Council that the bar can only open to Little Oxford in emergencies.
Oxford St is notoriously dangerous and sadly attracts a large number of those who are responsible for alcohol-related crimes and disturbances, he said.
Crown St, on the other hand, has a reputation for being bohemian and being a destination of choice for young intellectuals and arty types.
If council reconsiders, Brown’s proposed entrance would sit behind the Gaslight Hotel, where he said security would be better placed to filter undesirables.
When the nearby nightclubs were operating, he hoped to close the Oxford St entry to protect patrons from intoxicated pedestrians.
It’s imperative that [the desired clientele] have access to the venue other than from troublesome Oxford St, he said. It is our intention to create an intimate environment for those looking to avoid the aggressive drinking culture that is prominent in NSW and particularly rife along the Oxford St drag.
The venue, located at 133 Oxford St, will not serve tap beer, have live music or a dance floor. Instead it will be almost entirely seated areas.
Brown had moved from Melbourne to take advantage of the new legislation encouraging laneway bars.
A City of Sydney spokeswoman said there were factors other than just supporting laneway bars.
The City of Sydney supports small bars and laneway rejuvenation but in assessing DAs must also consider the environmental impact on residents. The original decision in the case of 133 Oxford St determined that access from Little Oxford St would have a negative impact on the quality of life for neighbours.
I’d even go one further and encourage everyone who thinks it’s a such a great idea to have bars open up 3 meters across from your front door to send your address in to council (and the licensee of these new bars) and persuade them to open up opposite your front door instead. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the LOUD vibrant chattering from the hip boozy crowd and the invigorating smell of day old piss when you walk out your door. Or maybe the smokers chilling out on your front doorstep and outside your bedroom window discussing world events and failed relationships at 3am will help keep you entertained on nights you don’t need sleep.
More art spaces, cafes would be a welcome change to the area and I’m all for the creation of a new vibrant lane way culture but, not another bar and definitely not when it’s this close to residents.
Ronson, you have the address wrong, Enzo’s was almost next to Paddington R.S.L. and Bondi Junction had Chez Ivy’s
I’ve wish for the area behind Little Oxford Street to become full of totally hip, vibrant and trendy desirable bars, restaurants, art spaces for years… It’s a fantastic little area, which could easily accommodate the small amount of residential houses in amongst classy, well set up, restaurants and art spaces… It could be absolutely amazing for everybody!!! At the moment, it’s usually fairly trashy… but with some small restaurants etc… in there, it could be cleaned up for everybody concerned.. What a great new possible life style!!
This is a tough one and I can understand both points of view in this case. The Council wants to encourage small bars in laneways but they would obviously prefer to use laneways that don’t have many residences surrounding them. There are a number of in the city without any residential area near them. I can also understand the Operators point of view not wanting to open out onto Oxford Street. It’s not easy but I guess it’s up to the Council to try and find the balance. We’d all like to see Oxford Street rejuvenated with small bars but residents have to be protected too
Because Darlinghurst needs another bar?
Clover Moore must know how unpleasant Oxford Street is. You can’t claim to be opening up a laneway culture but force people onto Oxford Street to get there.
How is not allowing the bar to open onto the lane rejuvinating the laneways. ugh?
If we patronise them, their will be more…
Small bars are nice. Get rid of the big noisy clubs!!
This sounds like a great idea.
Small bars are kind of like back to the future. I have found memories of Enzo’s Wine Bar Bondi Junction in the 60s and 70s.