UPDATE: Shift still operating
11.30AM UPDATE
The Sydney Star Observer has confirmed this morning the Arunta Group has taken control of the Midnight Shift.
The group owns the Oxford St premises and leases it to the Midnight Shift’s trading company, Blue Joy Pty Ltd. It is understood to have taken possession of the venue under terms set out in the lease.
SSO has been advised an official response from the Arunta Group will not be made available until Monday.
Initial speculation the venue was in receivership were incorrect.
A Shift staffer told SSO the owner of the Oxford St building took possession of the venue early Saturday morning, changing the locks to the premises. It is not yet known if this will be a permanent or temporary change in ownership.
The Shift is still operating as usual.
The staff member also told SSO last night that the venue’s staff and performers were told on Saturday they would still have jobs under the change of ownership and that current licensee and general manager Korey Barrett is still managing the venue.
Owner and community identity Tim Berry is understood to be overseas but is expected to return early this week to continue negotiations with the landlord.
Berry has a long history of support for Sydney’s gay and lesbian population, regularly offering the venue to community groups for fundraising events, as well as hosting his own fundraisers for numerous charities.
SSO has made contact with Berry and his partner seeking comment. However SSO has been advised Berry intends to fight the takeover when he returns from overseas, expected this Wednesday.
The Midnight Shift is a gay institution in Sydney and the oldest remaining gay bar on Oxford St.
It recently re-opened its upstairs venue as a men’s space called Saddlebar.
The difficulties changes at the venue come on the heels of a string on changes on Sydney’s gay scene in recent months at venues as varied at The Clarence Hotel, Oxford Hotel and Beresford Hotel – all of which have been on the market this year.
Shift should have paid their bills!!!
People cant just walk in and takeover unless they have a court order to do so
I agree with David Skidmore’s comments. We live on the northern beaches and feel quite comfortable socialising in our local communities. We also love trekkin’ in to Oxford St (what’s left of her!) every 4 to 6 weeks, i’ve loved The Shift since she was Tropicana (that’s how young i am!). But as David said, times do change. As long as The Shift is there i’ll support her, but less often and from a distance.
Arunta have issued a media release which has been forwarded to SSO for comment and editorial.
As stated in article above it’s ‘Business as Usual’ at The Midnight Shift Hotel and I thank everyone for there comments to date.
Korey Barrett
Licensee – The Midnight Shift Hotel
Ahhh so this is why most of the bar men have been replaced with buff rude STRAIGHT guys – You can tell they dont want to work there, the look on their faces are always offensive.
PLEASE dont shut it down!!!
If Tim Berry is the owner of Midnight Shift why would he need to talk to the Landlord? Or has he sold out years ago?
I agree with Tim A. One of the major changes of the last few decades is greater acceptances of the presence of gays in the wider community. That means that gay people feel comfortable going down to their local pub or club and socialising there. And if you live in the Shire, Hills district, the South-West or the Northern Beaches, Oxford St is a bloody long way – especially if you don’t want to drink and drive (or shell out megabucks for a taxi).
I’ve had some great times at places like the Shift. However, I’m getting older and the times they are a-changing. And like I said, many younger gays now may not feel the need for gay-specific venues.
Maybe we’re not drinking as much as we used to as well (although that’s open to debate from what I’ve seen in Oxford St).
A gay Sydney institution. If the Shift closes it would be a terrible loss and we would certainly need to see something open in its place. Regardless of the changes in the world today, there will ALWAYS be a demand for venues where gay men can hang out and socialise together
Much as Berry may be a genuine support of the gay community and various community organisations, I don’t think these are the primary criteria people use to determine where to go clubbing.
Overall, I just think the community’s changed a lot in the past decade or so and the bar business has failed to change with it. This is of course one of a hundred different theories that will end up doing the rounds.
All Gay Bars or Straight Bars for that matter care about is “PROFIT MARGINS”
So forget the concept of Community…You will not find that in a PUB.
DRUNKS
DRUG F*CKED QUEENS
VIOLENCE
SECURITY WITH ATTITUDE
These are what you find in the “Bar Scene”….Sad but true. Thus I’m always confused why people care so much about PUBS.
Cheers xxoo
ex customer, I do have some sympathy with your comments on the same music being played week in, week out.
Sunday night retro has become a case of the-same-songs-in-the-same-order, and it’s such a shame, because there’s no need for that sort of conservatism. Music is such a big part of our lives, and it’s really disappointing when the venue starts to resemble an FM radio station.
Management and DJ’s, please take note. In all facets of life, diversity is a good thing!
@Mac : Damons comment was made last night before this story had been edited. It originally did refer to the rumors that it was in receivership & this was in the title. This current story bears little resemblance to last nights which asked more questions than it could answer.
The story has since been expanded when more info came to light.
I for one welcome a change at the Shift. For a long time now the staff have been unbelievably rude and even evicting peaceful groups when managers friends come in and start trouble… the friends get to stay whilst the group who get assaulted are shown the door. As for the actual music etc, same dj’s and same shows make for a boring venue eventually.
Mac et al,
My comment about the “R” word were placed whilst the article suggested just that. Note the time of 10.55pm last night.
The article has since been modified/clarified to reflect the correct situation.
Scott, please feel free to remove my comment of last night as it is no longer relevant. I also thank you for clarifying the situation overnight so quickly.
Perhaps John Ibraham will take it over – would that make him the new Dawn O’Donnell?
There is no doubt that Tim Berry is a genuine philanthropist, with many years donating to the AIDS Trust, Hope for Children Orphanage in Cambodia, and other organisations to which he has never asked for recognition. He should be admired for that.
As for the demise of gay bars, doesn’t anyone see the irony in us fighting for equality, to be accepted like the mainstream, but then complaining when “gay venues” eventually close down and as the Oxford street area becomes mainstream?
Chilli, you hint darkly at a conspiracy “they” are running to close gay venues.
Do you suspect George Pell, Graham Richardson or maybe it’s the sinister Stonecutters…
“Who controls the British crown?
Who keeps the metric system down?
We do, we do.”
Michael and Patti
Regardless of your personal feelings, the fact is the Shift and every other venue plays a significant role in the community that is far more detailed than a place to drink and dance.
These venues are places for people to meet, to talk, for community groups to hold fundraisers and encourage new members to get involved.
They are key cogs in the spreading of safe sex messages and instrumental in uniting siginificant parts of the community. While they may not be your part of the community, to dismiss it after such a shallow thought process is short-sighted and naive.
Shame on your for not understanding and respecting out community’s diversity a little more than beyond your own doorstep.
I agree with Michael and Pattii.
Also, ‘recievership’ is spelt receivership. Goodness gracious!
chillisauce100, regardless of how long it has been closed for renovations, the Imperial Hotel has NOT closed down. It will re-open, regardless of your negative assumptions. Get your facts straight.
There are plenty of reasons why a gay venue might close, not just because people can’t stand seeing us on the street. How about the huge drug use in the gay clubbing community? SO many people choose to take drugs like G instead of drinking alcohol, and that doesn’t help the bar sales of the club at all! That’s just one contributing factor among many that force our clubs to close.
I do hope the Shift bounces back and becomes stronger than ever.
Weird how people read things into a story at aren’t there (Damon h comment above)…. Story says it understands it is NOT in receivership. Also, where does it cast any accusation against Tim Berry – read before you bleet knucklehead.
My two cents worth – Tim has been an outstanding supporter of the gay community and so has the Shift – we can only wish the best for everyone concerned and hope any change of ownership keeps the old girl in business and trading.
Mac
There is more to being gay than UGLY OXFORD ST or any trashy GAY BAR.
LOL
the midnight shift has been going down hill for years,rude staff and door men,mybe times up for the ageing venue.
The Albury Hotel was a gay institution.
The Newtown Hotel was a gay institution.
The Imperial Hotel was a gay institution.
It appears to be an incredible co-incidence that all the gay institutions are closing down.
Perhaps some people can’t stand to see us on the street so they are closing down our popular meeting places to discourage gays from congregating at those meeting places.
Perhaps it should be ascertained whether any receivership exists before a ? mark is placed on a business, and a man who has served this community for decades, including much unknown philanthropy. To make even the suggestion of receivership causes all sorts of problems to a business and is irresponsible until an announcement is made by such Receiver under the relevant laws governing companies. Perhaps a clarification would be appropriate until you actually have the facts please? Guide To Gay has made the effort this evening to get their story right…