A Sydney nightclub has been forced to close one of its most popular events as the incredible set of rules it had to follow is laid bare.
Club 77 on William Street in inner Darlinghurst, which has been running for a quarter of a century, launched a new weekly event running from 6am on Sunday to 4am on Monday, August 25.
But the new venture, which aimed to provide an “out-of-hours experience for industry, hospo workers and the community,” was shut down after just six weeks.
A NSW Police spokesperson said officers from Daily Mail Australia are investigating “a report of a serious violent incident” that occurred in late August.
“The investigation also covers related licensing issues,” he said.
Licensee Dane Gorrel claimed the club was subject to ‘constant harassment and intimidation’ by local police.
“It’s just been nonstop,” Mr. Gorrel told the newspaper Sydney Morning Heraldadding that police had been ‘extremely negative and dismissive’ when informed of the plans before the evening even started.
The publication reported that Mr Gorrel received an email from a Kings Cross police officer saying they were investigating whether there were more than 20 people queuing outside the venue after 2am and whether they were more than two abreast.
Sydney nightclub Club 77 has claimed it was ‘harassed’ by NSW police, questioning the size of the queue to get in and whether there were more than two of them abreast. A queue for Club 77 is shown
Licensee Dane Gorrel said the club had been subjected to ‘harassment and intimidation’ by local police (Photo: Police patrol Kings Cross)
The email also reportedly asked whether the club’s pass-out system (no one enters an entire club until someone else leaves) was working properly and whether it was open longer than legally allowed.
Mr Gorrel claimed that 13 police officers and a dog were patrolling the club one recent evening. “There was literally one police officer for every twelve square meters of floor space,” he said.
The licensee also said police have requested the club’s financial records of all sales over the past six weeks, such as liquor and ticket sales, as well as incident logs and CCTV footage from the past three weekends.
Although police said they were “investigating a report of a serious violent incident”, the club’s head of operations, Luke Thompson, said he was not aware of any such incident.
“If they’re investigating, they haven’t told us,” he said.
On Thursday, the club announced on social media that the Sunday parties have been canceled until further notice due to pressure from ‘a certain government body’.
“We are genuinely concerned about the actions of this governing body and the safety risks they pose to our community, the night-time economy, the venue and our personal safety as directors and owners,” they said.
Club 77 had recently received a $100,000 government grant for soundproofing.
Luke Thompson (pictured), head of operations at Club 77, said he was unaware of the incident which police were reportedly investigating
During a hearing in the NSW state parliament, Night Economy Minister John Graham was asked whether the venue was being harassed by police.
“I’m aware they’ve gotten into trouble recently, but I’m not aware of the details,” he said.
At the same hearing, NSW 24-hour economics commissioner Michael Rodrigues said he was aware of the situation but had not discussed it with the venue.
On Sunday, Mr Graham told Daily Mail Australia: “We cannot afford to lose any more locations in Sydney.
“We want to keep the ones we have and we want their doors open.
‘The 24-hour Economy Commissioner is in contact with the industry, the location and the police about this.’
Mr Gorrel added: ‘The only thing holding this state back from this vibrancy and reform of nightlife is the police… Everyone is afraid to say anything.’
The police spokesperson said: ‘Kings Cross Police are working closely with all business and community partners to keep the community safe.’
Kings Cross Police Inspector Martha Winch said regular inspections were being carried out at venues to prevent alcohol-related attacks.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Club 77 for further comment.