The Lord Gladstone Is Rebranding as a Church and Holding a Sunday Service in Response to NSW's Dancing Ban

Beloved Chippendale pub the Lord Gladstone is changing its name once again. Last year, during Sydney's extended lockdown, the venue temporarily rebranded as The Lord Jabstone in a push to get Sydneysider vaccinated and back to the pub. Now, the Gladdy is transforming again, this time into The Gladsong Hotel.

The latest iteration of the inner-city pub is in response to the NSW Government's recent ban on singing and dancing in hospitality venues — restrictions that don't extend to places of worship. The tongue-in-cheek play on northwest Sydney's megachurch Hillsong looks to point out the hypocrisy in the current legislation, which targets the arts and hospitality after two incredibly tough years for both industries.

The Gladsong Hotel's one-off Sunday Service is being billed as "a day of worship, schooners and good times" and will be happening on Sunday, January 23. On the day, there'll be DJs spinning tunes, plus $15 jugs of 'holy water' (The Gladstone's larger) and $10 Bloody Lord cocktails on offer. And at midday, a pay-what-you-want keg will be tapped, with all proceeds going to Support Act.

The pub's previous iteration as the Lord Jabstone

"It's been an absolutely frustrating period of time for all venue owners. Right now and over the past couple of years. Once again it feels like our leaders are leaving our poor struggling musicians and artists back in the darkness," venue owner Mitchell Crum said.

"Live music venues, musicians, pubs and clubs all across the state have been the hardest hit without any support or closure. I can't say I'm terribly religious though I worship live music. Does that make us exempt?"

The current restrictions were brought in after rising COVID-19 cases, with rules initially placed on indoor hospitality and entertainment venues before they were extended to outdoor venues and music festivals. The measures have come under fire on social media from musicians like What So Not and Nina Las Vegas for targeting the arts sector, and also for the lack of support offered to out-of-work artists during this time.

Find The Lord Gladstone at 115 Regent Street, Chippendale, with its Sunday Service happening from 12pm on Sunday, January 23. 

Top image: Ben Johnson and Mitch Crum in front of The Lord Gladstone.