The City of Sydney Council is leading an initiative to grant heritage status to three iconic venues on Oxford Street, acknowledging their significance to the LGBTQIA+ community and preserving their rich historical ties. The proposal includes the Oxford Hotel, Palms, and the Universal nightclub, following a thorough assessment aimed at recognising pivotal locations for queer culture.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore emphasised the venues’ integral role within the social and cultural mosaic of Oxford Street. “These sites have been linked to the LGBTQIA+ community since the late 1970s and early 1980s,” she stated, highlighting their longstanding impact and importance. The council unanimously approved the recommendation during its final meeting last year, and it is now pending review by the NSW government before opening up for public commentary.
In addition to the main three venues, the council is exploring the potential heritage listing of other significant sites in the area, including the Trade Club, noted as Sydney’s first lesbian bar, the former Taxi Club location, and The Bookshop, a bookstore serving the LGBTQIA+ community.
Existing heritage-listed sites in the vicinity include the Darlinghurst Police Station, the Stonewall Hotel, and the Mardi Gras parade route, all of which underscore the area’s historical importance.
The Oxford Hotel, located at 134 Oxford Street, has a legacy tied to the liquor trade dating back to the 1850s, transitioning into a gay venue in 1982 after serving as a popular rock bar in the 1970s. It remains one of the oldest continuously operating LGBTQIA+ venues in Sydney.
Palms, which opened around 1977, began as an underground cabaret that fostered a supportive environment for the queer community. After briefly trading as Scooters Bar and Diner, it was revived as Palms in 2000 and continues to serve as a vibrant gay nightclub today.
The Universal, a venue with a history as a restaurant and nightclub, has also undergone several transformations since its inception in 1978. After facing challenges, including fire damage, it has found renewed success under the ownership of Universal Hotels since 2018.
Clover Moore concluded by reaffirming the significance of these venues in showcasing the cultural heritage of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ communities, marking over four decades of their influence and presence in the city.