A Sydney nightclub has been forced to close one of its most popular events after the incredible set of rules it was forced to follow were exposed.
Club 77 on William Street in the inner suburb of Darlinghurst, which has been running for a quarter of a century, has launched a new weekly event from 6am on Sunday until 4am on Monday, August 25.
But the new venture, which aimed to provide an “after-hours experience for the industry, hospital workers and the community,” ground to a halt after just six weeks.
A New South Wales Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that officers are investigating “a report of a serious violent incident” that occurred in late August.
“The investigation also covers licensing issues,” he said.
Licensee Dane Gorrel claimed the club had been subject to “constant harassment and intimidation” by local police.
“It’s been an ongoing process,” Mr. Gorrel told the Sydney Morning Heraldadding that the police had been “extremely negative and dismissive” when told about the plans before the night even began.
The publication reported that Gorrel received an email from a Kings Cross police officer saying they were investigating whether there were more than 20 people queuing for the venue after 2am and whether there were more than two in line.
Sydney nightclub Club 77 has claimed it was “harassed” by New South Wales police, including questioning how long the queue to get in was and whether it was more than two in a row. Pictured is a queue for Club 77.
Licensee Dane Gorrel said the club had been subject to “harassment and intimidation” by local police (pictured police patrolling Kings Cross).
The email also reportedly asked whether the club’s pass-through system (no one enters a full club until someone else leaves) was working as required and whether it was open longer than legally allowed.
Gorrel said 13 officers and a dog patrolled the club on a recent night. “There was literally one police officer for every 12 square meters of floor space,” he said.
The licensee also said police requested the club’s financial records of all sales over the past six weeks, such as drink and ticket sales, as well as incident records 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 are (investigating) they have not told us,’ he said.
On Thursday, the club said on social media that Sunday’s parties were 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 did not know about the incident which police said they were investigating.
At a hearing in New South Wales state parliament, Nighttime Economy Minister John Graham was asked if police were harassing the scene.
“I’m aware that they had some problems recently, but I don’t know the details,” he said.
At the same hearing, NSW 24-hour economy commissioner Michael Rodrigues said he was aware of the situation but had not discussed it with the venue.
On Sunday, Graham told Daily Mail Australia that “we can’t afford to lose any more places in Sydney.”
‘We want to preserve the ones we have and we want their doors to be open.
“The 24-hour Economy Commissioner is in contact with the industry, the venue and the police on this matter.”
Gorrel added: “The only thing holding this state back with these vitality and nightlife reforms is the police…Everyone is afraid to speak up.”
The police spokesperson said: “Kings Cross Police work closely with all business and community partners to keep the community safe.”
Kings Cross Police Inspector Martha Winch said regular inspections were carried out at locations to prevent alcohol-related assaults.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Club 77 for further comment.
