Overview
Sydney lost a long-time legend of the Kings Cross nightclub scene when Hugos closed its doors back in 2015. Now, in the latest move to resurrect the area's nightlife, the space is set to be resurrected by the team behind Double Bay's Casablanca Bar and Restaurant. Flamingo Lounge will open in late September, flashing a brand new Miami-inspired fit-out along with a 3am license and late-night food offering.
The new venue was initially intended to be a pop-up, but the team — who will close Casablanca this year — has decided to go full steam ahead and make it permanent. "We knew we'd have to close Casablanca [due to commercial development] and this was the best venue to buy because of its position and history in Kings Cross," says managing partner Poata Okeroa. "The space is a progression from Casablanca for us."
The new digs will be decidedly different from Hugos, going for a 1980s vibe that combines Miami glamour with art — think pink neon lights, a retractable DJ stage, plush lounges and mixed-media wall collages. "The artwork and ceiling details will pay homage to the art walls of downtown Miami," says designer Josh Clapp. "The lighting will also have a bit of Las Vegas and Caribbean flare, but we're moving away from that 'New York speakeasy' vibe you see everywhere."
The space will be much moodier and darker than Hugos with deep shades of burgundy acting as the main colour scheme. The entire venue has also been expertly soundproofed to make the internal sound quality top-notch — plus, it has the added benefit of keeping the peace with neighbours. As a small homage to the venue's past, the leather from the existing lounges of Hugos will be repurposed as ceiling and wall panels.
While the main club is designed to focus on the DJ booth, the adjoining terrace bar will be a more sophisticated cocktail lounge with table service and secluded booths. "If the main club is downtown Miami, then the terrace bar is South Beach," says Clapp. In all, the Flamingo Lounge will house four bars. The venue will host three distinct nightly offerings (which will be announced in the coming months), including a Sunday club night that they hope will bring people out on the last night of the week once more.
"We really want to showcase the takeover [of the venue] ‚ we're not trying to make a political statement," says business development manager Sidney Pierucci. This attitude is quite the departure from the previous owners who threatened to sue the NSW Government after closing. Political statement or no, it is exciting to see a new late night club opening in an area where nightlife has been significantly reduced since the lockout laws came into place.
Flamingo Lounge will open in late September at 33 Bayswater Road, Sydney. Watch this space for updates and an exact opening date.
Image: Hugos.