Despite the iconic Sydney-based nightclub, ARQ, closing its doors earlier this year in March, the club’s owners have announced plans to bring the venue into a brand new era as AURA; set to open June this year.
“After 26 legendary years, the Darlinghurst institution is being reborn as AURA — a multi-room nightlife and entertainment destination redefining queer club culture in Sydney,” the owners said in a media statement sent to PEDESTRIAN.TV.
ARQ closed its doors in March this year. (Source: Instagram/@arqsydney)
“The relaunch is set for June 2025, with genre-spanning programming across house, techno, Latin and more, plus state-of-the-art production and reimagined spaces designed for connection, celebration and community.”
As AURA, the club will be reimagined as a “multi purpose entertainment venue” that will offer a selection of different events on the weekly.
For example, Thursday nights will be dedicated to Latin-inspired music, Fridays will offer a rotating mix of events, while Saturday nights will play techno and house music. Sounds bloody nice to me!
There will also be a designated ‘chill out space’ for patrons who are keen for a relaxing reprieve away from the fast-paced dancefloor.
ARQ will reopen its doors in June. (Source: Instagram/@arqsydney)
Sydney businessman and owner of ARQ, Dave Auld, announced his plans to rebrand the venue when it shut in March.
Other nightlife heavyweights involved in AURA includes Bryan Ro (founder of Puzzles Records), Justin Muscat (ALLFRIENDS & RAW), and brothers Umberto and Riccardo Monfardini (Movement Agency).
In the media statement sent to PEDESTRIAN, Auld reiterated the importance of queer venues within the city.
“Having a long standing history with the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s important to us to keep the safe space that ARQ has provided for many years as a continuation into the future,” Auld said.
“We’ll be working alongside some of the biggest queer artists from around the world while also celebrating our local talented DJs, artists.
“The club has been a haven, a home, a place that one can feel free, and we plan on building on that past to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and can be the best version of themselves they can be.”
The original venue opened in 1999, and was lauded as a prominent fixture in Sydney’s queer nightlife scene. Despite being under new ownership, ARQ’s new era will retain the existing management team.
See y’all on the dancefloor in June!!!
The post Beloved Sydney Gay Nightclub ARQ Is Entering A New Era & Holy Fk I’m Keen appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
