The New Manacle Unveiled!
Stuart and Andrew are thrilled that they can finally officially announce the new home of Manacle. The boys have bought The Clarence Hotel, which is on the corner of Parramatta Road and Crystal Street, Petersham. [For all images, click on ‘Show All Photos’ to the right.]
The venue will be opening its doors Friday May 30. Mark it in your diaries people and lets give Manacle a warm welcome back!
Some of you may remember The Clarence as the Comedy Store. It’s also just one block from the original Caesars. As for what you can expect from the new venue – here’s the scoop.
The Clarence Hotel has a 24 hour hotel license, a capacity around 350 people and a number of different sections, which includes the OUTbar – a public bar catering to the GLBT community and their friends, a bottle shop which will remain open until 1am, a TAB, Sky and Fox channels, a bistro which will be opening soon and a huge area upstairs that the boys assure me has some great 1930’s features just begging to be used.
Of course, the really exciting news is that Manacle is back with its own section of The Clarence. The capacity is the same as it was at Taylor Square but it’s all in one room. It’ll also have the same iconic artwork, chain web, the cage and even some of the staff and DJs. The area is still being decked out, so we don’t have any pictures of that just yet. You’ll just have to be a little patient! But stay tuned for more information on theme nights, the regular Friday and Saturday nights, Thursday Night Live and of course, the much loved Bent day club.
Some areas of the hotel will be a work in progress over the next few months while some re-arrangements are made and changes are carried out. The whole hotel was completely renovated about four years ago and so the bones are great it’s just the cosmetics that will change.
It’s great to see the inner west slowly becoming a great gay alternative. Petersham is the perfect spot – it’s far enough away to be underground and off the radar, but it’s close enough to be convenient. Mardi Gras headquarters is 800 metres up the road, the Metropolitan Community Church is even closer. It’s only 4km from Central Station and 700 metres from Petersham Station. Circular Quay is 7km away, Taylor Square 6km, Darling Harbour 5km and Newtown only 3km. There are three major bus routes that stop right at the door too. The boys said it took them seven minutes to drive from Central Station to The Clarence on a Saturday lunchtime.
And of course, get ready to give Viv a warm welcome back. She’ll be working the door as only she can – the boys say that “it’s just a matter of working out times.” Many of you will remember James – he’ll be the licensee of the venue.
Now that things are underway, Stuart and Andrew are asking the community for thoughts and ideas for OUTbar as well as expressions of interest from entertainers with a concept for entertainment to suit OUTbar. There are also positions vacant from just a few hours each week to a full weeks work. RSA and RCG essential with TAB training an added bonus. Contact the Manacle boys by emailing info@manacle.com.au.
Stay tuned to Same Same for further updates.
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disco3000
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MJBJ
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