After three years in the Sydney CBD, popular city dance venue the Spice Cellar will be packing up shop and relocating to the basement of Erskineville's Imperial Hotel, which happens to rest outside the influence of the entertainment-precinct lock-out area.
The move is not coincidental, as venue organisers explicitly cite licensing-law changes as a primary catalyst for the decision, but will almost certainly be beneficial, taking effect from 13 April, when Spice Cellar not only relocates but parent company Spice Group International assumes managerial control of the Imperial.
"With a solid three years under its belt in Sydney CBD and having played host to over 200 international DJs of the highest order and legendary jazz musicians like James Morrison, the time for change is here," they wrote in a statement. "The city's changing licensing landscape have meant Spice and its famed cellar has had to evolve and move."
Among the relocated brand's first confirmations are Alex Niggemann (18 Apr); Phil Smart, Flex Cop, Black Angus, Murat Kilic and Robbie Lowe, uniting for the Anzac Day Special (25 Apr); Wild Oats' Kyle Hall and Wildkatz' Sandemann (23 May); Steve Bug (30 May); and Andras Fox (6 Jun).
"We will be bringing a fresh outlook to an already established venue and will be key in developing what is already an icon of the city's music and LGBTI scene into a leading international musical hub in the lower basement level," the organisers said. "Without any constraints, we will be able to provide patrons with a world-class experience."
Further information will be made available in the near future; in the interim, you can check out the venue's webpage to better familiarise yourself with the impending changes.
