Sydney’s Midnight Shift “still in consultation process” over future direction

Reports that the new owners of Sydney’s longtime LBTIQ+ nightspot, Midnight Shift, are moving in “a new direction” to a more inclusive clientele, are denied.

Richard Haines, group general manager of Universal Hotels, tells TMN that the company has not made a decision at this stage about the venue on Oxford Street in Darlinghurst.

The company is currently going through a consultation process via its social media pages and website to get feedback from the community.

“It’s about respecting the community of Oxford Street and respecting the heritage of the Midnight Shift,” he says.

“People have already started reaching out to us, and we want to get as wide a representation as we can – including past staff and past performers.”

The consultation process is expected to wind up in September. While no firm direction has been locked in, Haines suggests, “It will be an evolution of what Midnight Shift was and not a dramatic departure.”

It is doubtful Midnight Shift will become a live music venue, although the 1050-capacity space will occasionally showcase music acts.

As reported in TMN yesterday, Universal Hotels bought Midnight Shift (for a reported  $12 million) after purchasing other properties in the area.

These included Kinselas Hotel for $23 million in May 2017, as well as the Brighton Hotel in October and Oxford Hotel and in December.

Haines says “We have a great confidence in the Darlinghurst precinct and its position as a gateway to the Eastern suburbs.”

Recent research by City of Sydney showed that people wanted to see Oxford Street revived as a nighttime destination through restaurants, bars and nightclubs.

As a member of the Darlinghurst Business Partnership and Surry Hills Liquor Accord, Universal Hotels is holding discussions with other operators and businesses to make the area more buoyant and “where everyone benefits”, Haines says.