Overview
The new year is still fresh, but unfortunately it's already taken its first music venue victim, with news much-loved Enmore hot-spot Sly Fox will close its doors for good before the month is out.
Known for its diverse programming, 24-hour licence, late-night closing time and ever-inclusive vibe, the venue's been a staple of the Enmore Road strip for the past 21 years. But, despite being a firm favourite among locals and the LGBTIQ+ community, the bar is now being forced to shut up shop, calling last drinks next week on Saturday, January 18.
It's not a total surprise, though. Owners of the venue which took to Facebook in November to gives fans a head's up about the potential closure, citing long-running issues regarding licensing. Apparently, the bar scored its 24-hour licence back in 1998 on a one-year trial basis. But, as it turns out, the then owners neglected to reapply after those first 12 months were up. This minor detail went unnoticed for almost two decades, until 2016, when the police picked up on the licence lapse following the introduction of the lockout laws. In the years that have followed, the building copped a ban on playing amplified music after 3am, silent disco headphones were rolled out in an effort to keep the late-night partying alive, and Sly Fox's owners got busy dropping a cool $100,000 on fully sound-proofing the venue.
After applying for a licence amendment to see the bar restored to its former late-night glory, 2019 saw extensive consultation with council planners, town planners, acoustic engineers, neighbours and lawyers. Sly Fox's owners then submitted an application for a new 24-hour licence, but, following push-back from council and a handful of community objections, it wasn't granted. They say the midnight licence they've now been offered makes it unviable for the venue to remain in operation.
In a Facebook post this week, the Sly Fox crew confirmed the sad news, while thanking the venue's many supporters, staff, collaborators and guests. "We've made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime and no council will ever be able to take that away from us," the post reads. "Thank you all so very much."
Of course, this legendary party spot won't be going out without a bang, hosting a special Last Chance to Dance events program over this final week. Expect familiar faces, resident DJs and plenty of late-night shenanigans to help finish things on a high note.
Find Sly Fox at 199 Enmore Road, Enmore. It's hosting its last events on January 10, 11, 15, 17 and 18.