New music venue Universal coming to Sydney’s Oxford Street precinct

Sydney-based Kospetas family-run Universal Hotels has long championed the Oxford Street precinct, and its potential to be rejuvenated as a buoyant entertainment and dining strip.

Last May it paid a reported $23 million for Kinselas, followed by the acquisition nine months ago of The Oxford.

It also has the Brighton Hotel, also in the precinct, adding to its portfolio that includes Odessa, Civic Hotel, 1821 and V Bar.

Now, Universal Hotels is about to launch a fourth venue in the Oxford Street precinct, at 85-91 Oxford Street in Darlinghurst, under the name Universal.

If the address seems familiar it is because it was the site of The Midnight Shift, long time destination for the LGBTQ+ and clubbing communities until it closed after nearly 40 years in 2017.

Universal Hotels picked up the 1000-square-metre building in June for a reported $12 million and will relaunch it as a rebranded music venue and LGBTQ+ safe place during the October long weekend.

Universal Hotels is headed by patriarch Jim Kospetas and run with sons Harris and Steven.

With the Universal, they’re adopting the same approach as they did for Kinselas – talk to the community, acknowledge its importance to the clubbing and LGBTQ+ sectors, and continued to give them the same.

Kospetas said an online survey drew 1000 responses in the first 24 hours.

The legacy has remained but name changed because “we don’t feel that we can do the name justice. We respect the Darlinghurst community and also the Midnight Shift’s heritage as one of the state’s first gay venues.”

More information will be announced on the Universal Hotels website about the different club nights planned, and the venue’s strong emphasis on inclusion, diversity and safety.