The stripper poles are gone but the iconic dance cage remains – the old Castros nightclub site has a new owner, a new name and a new lease on life.
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The queer-friendly Victoria Street club, formerly owned by the RDL Group and Wollongong Nightlife, abruptly closed in July this year.
The site has since been taken over by Metro Entertainment, a Newcastle-based events and entertainment company for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) community, and rebranded as Industry Nightclub.
‘‘It’s not a gay bar, but a ‘safe venue’ and LGBTIQ-friendly place,’’ said Aaron Little, co-director of Metro Entertainment.
‘‘It’s to be a non-violent place with a strict anti-discrimination policy, where people can come for a good time and not feel intimidated.’’
Metro has spent the past month completely renovating the interior of the club ahead of its official launch next weekend.
Two brand new stages, new lighting and seating, backstage artists’ areas and a large, covered outdoor beer garden have been installed. The club’s new owners are focusing on attracting high-profile dance artists to play at the venue.
‘‘We’re very much about hosting live performances and guest artists,’’ co-director Ashley Doran said.
‘‘We’ll also have the drag shows and cabaret, but we want to bring down some big-name dance acts.’’
Unity, a similar club operated by Metro Entertainment in Newcastle, has previously attracted names such as Mel B and the Potbelleez, while The Veronicas have been tapped to headline the launch weekend in the Gong.
Castros regulars might be disappointed to hear the stripper poles upstairs have made way for a large main performance stage but the dance cage at the back of the room still stands as a reminder of the club’s former incarnation.
Murals will adorn the walls downstairs and regular art installations from local artists are set to brighten up the formerly dark front lobby.
‘‘There’s lots of clubs in Wollongong – we’re trying to bring something a little different to the nightlife here,’’ Mr Little said.
‘‘We’re very much a queer-friendly venue, but I’d say about 50per cent of our clientele are straight people who just want to have a fun, drama-free night out.’’
Industry will initially open on Friday and Saturday nights, with a view to opening on Wednesday and Thursday also.
‘‘It’s just a place where everyone can party together without being intimidated by a ‘gay club’, because lots of straight people have gay friends and lots of gay people have straight friends and they want to party together,’’ Mr Doran said.
