We have news and it’s yuuuuge!!! Chippendale’s iconic live music venue The Lansdowne Hotel is re-opening and there just aren’t enough exclamation points in the universe to contain or express our excitement. After the closure of many a wild and wonderful place such as The Newtown Social Club, The Annandale Hotel and Goodgod Small Club it’s an absolute pleasure to announce what could signal a positive resurgence in Sydney’s nightlife.
Kudos, slaps on the back and free beers need to be handed out to the two chaps who’ve made it all possible Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham. Owners of lascivious burger den Mary’s Newtown and Paddo’s art deco gem The Unicorn Hotel, the pair have given the venue a facelift on the sly with it scheduled to open its doors over the June long weekend (mark it up on the calendar folks!).
The cultural significance of this move has not gone unnoticed by Sydney council nor should it considering The Lansdowne’s illustrious musical history hosting the likes of You Am I, The Living End, Hard-On’s and The Preatures. Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore states “I’m really encouraged by this news – to see an iconic venue like the Lansdowne returning feels like it could be a real turning point for live music in Sydney. It’s a good sign for Sydney’s music community the new owners are keeping the Lansdowne’s long history in the Sydney music scene alive with a meaningful focus on live music, we’re looking forward to working with the new owners wherever we can.”
Set to become an aspirational springboard for promising local musicians, wired for sound by the producers of the new ICC (International Convention Centre) with artist bookings to be handled by the legendary Rule brothers Matt and Dan (ex owners The Annandale Hotel, The Music and Booze Co), this enterprise is set to be nothing short of spectacular and a big fat finger to our debilitating lockout laws.
Images credited to Jack Steel and used with permission
———-
