Oxford Street’s Stonewall Hotel, a “cultural icon in the heart of Sydney’s queer community,” is permanently shutting its doors just a few weeks after this year’s Mardi Gras and recently closing for repairs.
ABC reports that the beloved venue, which initially opened in 1997, entered voluntary administration on Monday (23 March). The sad news arrives nine months after Stonewall was acquired by Florida-based company, Pride Holdings Group.
The LGBTQIA+ institution was named after the Stonewall Inn riots of 1969. The said riots inspired progress for gay rights in New York City and later, in Australia, when the 78ers marched on Oxford Street. While the evening ended in police brutality, it ultimately helped shape the modern-day rights and lifestyles of Australian LGBTQIA+ people, leading to the introduction of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebration.
Stonewall Hotel owner Craig Bell shared a statement about the venue’s closure, describing the decision to shut down as “sad and difficult” after nearly three decades of operation. However, he noted that “change is constant, and Stonewall’s story is far from over.”
Indeed, the “next chapter” of Stonewall Hotel can be found at its new sister venue in Newtown, which opened its doors earlier this month.
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“I would like to express how sad and difficult this decision was,” Bell wrote on social media. “Stonewall began its journey 28 years ago, transforming an empty bank into something truly special. Over the years, we have employed wonderful people, connected with remarkable customers, and forged friendships that will last a lifetime. My sincere thanks go out to every one of you who contributed to our story.”
Adding that “countless memories” have been made at the venue, Bell shared that over 28 years on Oxford Street, the club has witnessed “astonishing changes and uplifting social progress.”
“The journey has taken us from venues with blacked-out windows, where people inside remained unseen by pedestrians,” Bell continued. “We have celebrated the victory of equal marriage rights and the transformation of venues that now open themselves fully to the street, reflecting greater openness and acceptance.”
Concluding the statement by looking to the future, Bell wrote, “Change is constant, and Stonewall’s story is far from over. The party will continue as we embrace our new home in Newtown, carrying forward the spirit and community that has defined us for so long.”
