Sydney venue The World Bar will close its doors for good tomorrow.
After 18 years operating on Bayswater Road in the heart of Kings Cross, owner Steve Ward announced today that November 28th would be the iconic nightspot's final evening of operation. The news was accompanied by the following statement:
"The obvious connection that people will make on our closure is the effect of the lockout laws. It's undeniable that they have had a huge impact on us, as well as Sydney's live music scene. However, we believe there is a solution here, we have hope. We need the authorities to show true leadership and to make positive decisions for the music and creative communities and for everyone who likes to be social at night! Public opinion and pressure are mounting and now we need our elected officials to be brave and make positive changes to the legislation. Safety and entertainment ARE achievable, we have seen this put into practice in global cities around the world.
Our parting words to anyone who loves Sydney's nightlife are these—the best way to rebel is to go out. There are great venues and incredible music alive in the Cross and surrounding areas, so please get out there and support all our incredible friends—promoters, venue owners, artists—still battling away for their love of live music."
Over its near-two-decade run, The World Bar played host to thousands of DJs and bands, functioning as an incubator for many local artists who have since achieved global success. The venue is one of close to 200 to be lost since early 2014 when Sydney's controversial lockout laws were instated.
The closure comes during a period of renewed debate about the laws. Late October saw the announcement that a bill would be introduced to NSW parliament by Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party MP Robert Borsak seeking to repeal the lockouts. Despite the release of a report from a parliamentary committee two weeks later concluding that licensing restrictions should be lifted to avoid a live music "crisis," the bill did not end up being debated. The next opportunity will be when parliament resumes sitting next year, following the upcoming state election in March.
Read our feature about Sydney's lockout laws.