Sydney's Underground Dance Haven Club 77 Has Been Revamped as a Late-Night Dive Bar

Now open until 4am every night of the week, the iconic venue has enlisted help from the Odd Culture team to give its drinks menu a makeover.
Ben Hansen
May 12, 2022

A home to sticky floors and debaucherous nights, Club 77 (or Sevs as it's often affectionately referred to) is turning 25-years-old. The long-standing nightclub has been a go-to for packed dance floors throughout the last three decades, acting as a base for the renowned DJ collective BangGang and hosting world-conquering acts from across the globe.

Since the introduction of Sydney's infamous lockout laws — the effects of which were only compounded by the pandemic — the beloved nightclub has struggled alongside the rest of Sydney's nightlife.

With both the lockouts and lockdowns now behind us, Club 77 has been revamped and is ready to lead the charge for the city's after-hours dance music scene.

Some things are the same: There is still a continual program of top-notch and game changing DJs coming through the doors. Those doors still stay open late, so you can still expect the legendary club to facilitate the dance parties that it's known for.

"Club 77 is a venue that I've spent more time in than any other on the planet. A place where some amazing times have been had, both behind the decks and on the dancefloor," Australian dance pioneer Phil Smart said.

But, what's changed? The club has been given a New York-inspired makeover and the menus have been spruced up, with Odd Culture Group's Jordan Blackman coming on board to help curate an interesting but affordable drinks menu.

Benjamin Weser

You'll find beers from beloved brews like Moon Dog, Young Henrys, Grifter and Batlow. There's a range of bottled cocktails that the bar staff will be serving courtesy of local cocktail specialist Big Mood. The wine menu has been given an upgrade, with regional NSW orange and South Australian pét-nat varieties available alongside white and red standards. And, there's also a whole range of non-alcoholic drinks, including booze-free beers from Heaps Normal and Big Drop, canned mocktails from Yes You Can and Big Mood's No-Groni.

There are also now two separate happy hours, designed to encourage patrons to visit for both afternoon drinks and late-night gigs. Drop-in at either 5–7pm Monday–Friday, or between 2.30–3.30am any night of the week and you'll be treated to discounted drinks.

As for the food, the venue has kept it simple, introducing two loaded hotdogs labeled 77 Dogs to the menu. Choose between pork or mushroom, hemp and sumac sausages on potato buns — both a steal for just $7. The dogs are the creation of Surry Hills local Antoine Nebula of the cafe Suzie Qs.

"The lockdown period really gave us the opportunity to analyse our business model and determine what we want Club 77 to be, and that is THE late-night live music destination for Sydney/Eora." Club 77 Director Dane Gorrel said.

Kicking off things for the revitalised venue will be a launch party on Thursday, May 12. Opening at 5pm and continuing until 4am, the party will feature sets from Phil Smart and Jo.Ke, both of who will perform before midnight so you can still get to work if you need to on Friday.

Other upcoming gigs at the club include a takeover from Project 77 on Saturday, May 14 with sets from Ayebatonye and Deepa before their Going Under Vivid parties at Mary's Underground; and a back-to-back set from indie-house and electronic acts Close Counters and Golden Vessel on Saturday, May 28.

Club 77 is located at 77 William Street, Darlighurst. It's open 5pm–4am Monday–Sunday.

Published on May 12, 2022 by Ben Hansen
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