Just when we thought they had finally left the strip - they're back - well, sort of. A 'new nightclub' has opened right next door to the Gaff called 'Mansions'. It is being run by the same people behind the old Havana/DCM (now Live).

They are running the same Chocolate City RnB night every Friday which used to be held at UN and then Havana. On Saturdays nights they are holding a night which looks like it will be the same as DCM (except not using that name) with 'NRG' music.

The interesting thing is this new nightclub doesn't really have approval to operate. Last year the Land & Environment Court determined that the Gaff could expand its premises into the adjoining vacant shop. However while the Court approved the expansion of the venue they expressly denied any increase in patronage numbers citing the already unacceptable levels of antisocial behaviour in the area. It turns out this new expanded area has actually become a whole new nightclub called 'Mansions' which is basically a return of Havana.

Should be interesting to see how this pans out. Also interesting to note that the email address for this venue to make birthday party bookings is @live.com.au - so they are obviously still linked with Live @ Onesixnine. It's all so dodgy!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevie Boy

Also interesting to note that the email address for this venue to make birthday party bookings is @live.com.au - so they are obviously still linked with Live @ Onesixnine. It's all so dodgy!

Any email addresses with @live.com.au actually belong to Windows Live aka Hotmail. ONESIXNINE's URL is http://www.clubonesixnine.com.

I'm reading this as both The Gaff and this new club are allowed have a total maximum capacity of 447 people. Although I don't get why they have to choose Oxford St in the first place. Surely there are other places in around the centre of the city?

Here's an interesting tidbit from: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/D...px?uri=2176525

Quote:

Patron Capacity
It is noteworthy that the Building Code of Australia report accompanying the DA
states that the proposed number of toilets can serve a nightclub population of 2000
people. This raises a concern that the additional toilets may be the prelude to a later
attempt to increase the capacity of the premises. The applicant justified this increase
as allowing them to better serve their patrons by reducing queuing and congestion inand around bathrooms. Condition 12 of Court consent D/2008/57 specifies a patron capacity of 447, so an increase in BCA capacity measures such as increased toilet capacity or fire egress can not increase the premises’ capacity without modifying that condition. The increase in toilet capacity is acceptable, subject to a condition tying capacity and all other operating conditions to the relevant conditions of D/2008/57.

I knew the new found peace on oxford st was too good to be true.

Quote:

Originally Posted by synergism

I'm reading this as both The Gaff and this new club are allowed have a total maximum capacity of 447 people. Although I don't get why they have to choose Oxford St in the first place. Surely there are other places in around the centre of the city

Thanks for the info regarding the email address synergism - I wasn't aware of that.

As far as I understand it, this club doesn't have permission to operate at all, regardless of capacity issues. The Land & Environment Court Commissioner only approved an expansion to the Gaff's premises and the Plan of Management was amended to allow for this. No new venue or nightclub formed part of the approval. Additionally and perhaps more importantly, the Commissioner found that the area already suffered from unacceptable antisocial behaviour and therefore ruled that any increase in patron numbers would also be unacceptable. It would therefore be logical to assume that the Commissioner would not have approved an entirely new nightclub.

I am assuming they are also going to have the same trading hours as the Gaff (ie. till 6am) however as they are essentially a new venue they would normally be subject to the trial trading hours under the City of Sydney's late night trading DCP. This means they certainly wouldn't be given extended trading to 6am until after they have proven to have good management over a number of years. They appear to have bypassed this. I'm sure Council will have something to say about it

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevie Boy

Thanks for the info regarding the email address synergism - I wasn't aware of that.

As far as I understand it, this club doesn't have permission to operate at all, regardless of capacity issues. The Land & Environment Court Commissioner only approved an expansion to the Gaff's premises and the Plan of Management was amended to allow for this. No new venue or nightclub formed part of the approval. Additionally and perhaps more importantly, the Commissioner found that the area already suffered from unacceptable antisocial behaviour and therefore ruled that any increase in patron numbers would also be unacceptable. It would therefore be logical to assume that the Commissioner would not have approved an entirely new nightclub.

I am assuming they are also going to have the same trading hours as the Gaff (ie. till 6am) however as they are essentially a new venue they would normally be subject to the trial trading hours under the City of Sydney's late night trading DCP. This means they certainly wouldn't be given extended trading to 6am until after they have proven to have good management over a number of years. They appear to have bypassed this. I'm sure Council will have something to say about it

I've emailed the City council complaining about this; so should others if they don't want oxford st to slide back.
These people really are scum and no friends to the Gay community!

More Westies on Oxford Street Guess I won't bother going..Save me $$$ and go on a cruise instead

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaah

I've emailed the City council complaining about this; so should others if they don't want oxford st to slide back.

Thanks blaah that definitely helps! In my experience, Council always take notice of any complaints regarding stuff like this

Thanks for clarifying that Stevie Boy. It would be interesting to see what comes back from the Council.

You'd be surprised that even with the smallest number of complaints any council will listen.

For example in the Sydney CBD there is a tiny group of 200 or so people who are blocking the redevelopment of the old wharves on the western side of the city. The 'Barangaroo Project' includes numerous office and residential towers including a new 'iconic' hotel that shoots out of the harbour. This action group seems to be getting its message across and blocking this multi bullion dollar project by Lend Lease.

Basically everyone should lodge a compaint against any new venues on or near Oxford Street. The council will listen and in this climate where they, the NSW government, and the police are targeting all these drunken suburban fuckwits then it will be treated with high regard.

Complain and be heard. The more the better!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinCity

…For example in the Sydney CBD there is a tiny group of 200 or so people who are blocking the redevelopment of the old wharves on the western side of the city…

No its more than 200. Mayor Moore is getting her neck into a knot in all the closed-door deals.

(I jib at the word development. The word implies 'improvement' when too often it's desecration.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by poolboy jackson

No its more than 200. Mayor Moore is getting her neck into a knot in all the closed-door deals.

(I jib at the word development. The word implies 'improvement' when too often it's desecration.)

I think "make squillions" would be more accurate. Bet you the buildings will be incredibly ugly when they're finished to!

Dear Stevie Boy,
I can assure you and everyone else that Havana or/and DCM has nothing to do with The Gaff and never will, the only coincidence being that we now have Chocolate City, which is a mostly Asian, R&B night which was also held at those other clubs. Chocolate City also ran at The Exchange Hotel and several other clubs on Oxford St before DCM's, it has been ongoing for a very long time and the patrons are not homophobic as you seem to suggest.
As a matter of fact Slide bar also held an Asian R&B night this Friday just gone with identical clientelle yet I see no abuse sent their way from this forum?
As far as The Gaff's Saturday night since we have opened over 4 years ago we have been predominantly a tourist or backpacker market yet cannot rely on this market alone but The Gaff has been nothing but gay friendly and will continue to be so.
The Mansion is only an extension of The Gaff and our sole purpose of the extension was to obtain a smoker's terrace and build a new entrance so as to better manage the venue to noise complaints. I realise their may be some misconceptions as we have given the new room a different name as to think it is a separate Club. It is not but we are using the chance of a refurb to market to a different clientelle that would not normally visit The Gaff. The refurb is quite beautiful and somne people that would never visit The Gaff would infact love The Mansion. We have also hired award winning chefs from Melbourne and will attempt to lure restaurant patrons in between 5pm and 10pm with a beautiful tapas menu.
I am happy to answer any queries that anyone may have as to the concerns of The Gaff. Ican only say that yes we have Chocolate City on Friday nights as they are a very well dressed and very well behaved patronage that show no sign of homophobic behaviour. As far as the Saturday night crowd that Havana and DCM's had we DO NOT want them anywhere near our Club!! We work very hard to keep The Gaff a gay friendly and fun environment. I would like to see if you could find anyone over the past four and a half years since The Gaff has opened that was gay and was not treated with respect as ALL our guests are.
We have Hellfire and Extra Dirty(yes we will miss Mandy Rollins as much as anyone else) and many gay friendly events on a regular basis. I hope you do not lump us in with those other 2 clubs,
Sincerely ,
Jason

good to hear that you are aware of the problems in the area

Thank you for the reply The Gaff. Please understand that I/we bring up these issues because of the problems we have experienced over the last few years on Oxford Street. The transformation of the street from a friendly area with a mostly gay focus and a mix of various businesses (not just nightclubs) into a 24 hour binge drinking zone (and all of the trouble/idiots that attracts) was the biggest worry. It is pleasing to see that recently a number of clubs have returned to holding gay nights.

With this in mind there are many of us who will continue to campaign for Oxford Street and will keep a close watch to make sure no business operators are causing issues for the gay community and the area in general.

You mentioned that The Mansion is not separate to The Gaff but that you are attracting a different clientele. But is The Gaff still holding backpacker nights over the weekend? Or does The Gaff become The Mansion on the weekend? Marketing to both demographics on the same night would be a recipe for trouble in my opinion. I can also see potential problems with queues and crowding outside the venue if this was the case.

Maybe you could share with us a bit more of your business plan so we can understand what is going on

Thanks for all your replies. I am happy to keep all of you that are interested informed with any aspects of the business known as The Gaff. I can assure you that we know and respect the history of Oxford St and even though the majority of our clientelle at The Gaff are predominantly straight we are endeavouring to have more gay oriented events. Within the time I have been there we have had such events as Candy Lips, Wolf Club annual mardi gras party, Dirty, Extra Dirty, Hellfire, Perfect Day, Perfect Night, HedKandi and more. We have donated money to various GLBT charities and every second Friday we do a free lunch for mentally disabled people that reside in the area.
As far as your concern about overcrowding on the footpath, now we have a smokers terrace it is exactly the opposite which will happen as we can now house those people that before have gone outside to smoke.
I have to leave for work so will continue later.
Sincerely,
Jason

One positive thing I will say is that the refurbished facade for The Gaff/Mansion looks quite good. I like all of the heritage details (new paintwork, windows, lamps etc.) although I understand the L&E Court enforced this condition.

I'm still concerned about this venue and will look forward to being proven wrong. The reality is that The Gaff was (and still is) one of those clubs, along with DCMs at the time, that was partly responsible for changing the demographic of Oxford Street and bringing a large influx of straight people into the area - some of them okay others not so okay. No matter which way you spin it Oxford Street has certainly changed for the worse - anyone will tell you that. We all know this venue has contributed to those issues.

From my point of view, this new room/nightclub, The Mansion, will only end up bringing yet more people into the area and further increase the problems. The fact that it appears The Gaff and The Mansion will essentially be marketed as 2 separate venues catering to 2 different markets means that not only will we still get all of the drunk backpackers but also all of the RnB fans or whatever else is promoted at The Mansion

I agree with stevie it still atracts the wrong crowds who go around abusing or bashing gays on the strip.

Having the odd gay night at your venue has been done before but never addresses the core issues. In fact having the odd gay night is the usual practise of straight benues in the area trying to cash in on the gay community on their venues quiet nights.

The fact is it doesn't work having the sort of nights your promoting on the strip, it is a cultural clash and a recipe for more problems in the area. You guys haven't proved taht youa re responsible and I don't see why we should hold off from complaining on what you guys are proposing.

'The Gaff' may have some good intentions but lets face it they should never have been given the opportunity to set up shop in the first place in what is a predominately gay neighbourhood. This applies to all similar straight venues on or near Oxford Street.

The odd token 'gay' night doesn't really improve anything when you still on the weekend draw crowds that are not usually gay friendly. There are plenty of permanent gay venues in this vicinity that struggle so therefore I dont see the logic of these special gay nights.

I think clubbing on Oxford Street has had its day and its time it reverted to what it once was and that is a destinctively gay neighbourhood with venues that cater for their needs.

The Gaff would have been better off going elsewhere if it needed a bigger premises with an outdoor smoking section.

Honestly most people here wont rest until 'The Gaff/Mansion' and anything similar is gone from Oxford Street. They have the whole city and suburbs to run their show ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinCity

'The Gaff' may have some good intentions but lets face it they should never have been given the opportunity to set up shop in the first place in what is a predominately gay neighbourhood. This applies to all similar straight venues on or near Oxford Street.

The odd token 'gay' night doesn't really improve anything when you still on the weekend draw crowds that are not usually gay friendly. There are plenty of permanent gay venues in this vicinity that struggle so therefore I dont see the logic of these special gay nights.

I think clubbing on Oxford Street has had its day and its time it reverted to what it once was and that is a destinctively gay neighbourhood with venues that cater for their needs.

The Gaff would have been better off going elsewhere if it needed a bigger premises with an outdoor smoking section.

Honestly most people here wont rest until 'The Gaff/Mansion' and anything similar is gone from Oxford Street. They have the whole city and suburbs to run their show ....

Agree! Leave one small straight venue on a side street is OK. and piss the rest off. How may streets are there in Sydney? Thousands; we just want one for ourselves.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blaah

Agree! Leave one small straight venue on a side street is OK. and piss the rest off. How may streets are there in Sydney? Thousands; we just want one for ourselves.

typical straights have no idea what we go through and why its important to preserve a st where we can feel safe and not be a minority.

Guys n Girls...

I started going out on Oxford Street when I was 17/18... DCM was down the street in the old venue.. & Rougues was where The Gaff now is... Rogues I believe was not even a gay friendly venue. Hellfire is awesome @ The Gaff. How many other venues do you even see posting on here.

There was a knock on effect years ago of cleaning up the X and alot of clubbing that took place up there now occurs on Oxford Street unfortunately perhaps if it had all stayed a bit seedy and everything didn't get refurbished...

I've been to heaps of events at The Gaff and only ever been happy especially with Woof Club.

I was going to DCM just after it changed from patches until about 96 and during those times it was predominately a gay club. The last few years it had started to change with the "lebs" moving into the place and the attitude going down the toilet. Previously you could talk to anyone once they moved in it was "what are yous lookin at" "you lookin at me" mentality.

After 5 years of dedicated patronage we were basically denied entrance as we didn't take steroids or were lebs.

It was a sad sad day.