Cafe Lounge Has Closed Its Doors Permanently After 20 Years of Live Gigs and Comedy Nights

For 20 years, Cafe Lounge has been a beloved go-to for many a Sydneysider — whether you were a regular at its Monday comedy nights, swung by for an occasional 'sundae' session or were a dedicated fan of its $10 pizzas. But, the Surry Hills favourite has now called it quits, citing rising costs, lockout laws and the COVID-19 lockdown as reasons for its closure.

In a statement posted to its social media accounts yesterday, Sunday, May 10, Cafe Lounge said, "today, we handed back the keys from what's been an incredible run. Cafe Lounge was a business passed on between friends who shared a passion for creating a space where people came together to meet, eat, drink, laugh, kiss, dance, love and live life."

The Surry Hills venue, which opened back in 2000, started out as a cafe, then evolved into a live music favourite — open seven days a week — with regular comedy sessions, live bands, DJs and daily food specials, including those pizzas.

While the institution survived Sydney's lockout laws, which were wound back in January this year, it didn't make it through unscathed. In the statement, the venue said, "with recent lockout laws [and] rising operating costs in a rapidly changing neighbourhood, we knew quickly this pandemic was going to be our end. We hope other venues receive the ongoing support required to get through this time and hopefully we all come back stronger with a government who recognises our value."

It's not the first Sydney arts organisation to take a hit during the pandemic, either, with Carriageworks entering voluntary administration just last week.

Cafe Lounge is closed for now, but the owners said they "look forward to doing it all again some day in another place and another time". We'll let you know when more news on that front is announced.

Cafe Lounge has now closed its doors for good.