Overview
Odd Culture Group, the hospitality team behind the likes of The Duke of Enmore, The Old Fitz and its namesake bar (one of our 20 favourite bars in Sydney), has just unveiled the plan for its next exciting venture. First announced late last year with plenty of fanfare around the space's late-night license, Odd Culture's soon-to-open underground live music bar is set to arrive as early as August under the name Pleasure Club.
Pleasure Club will open on King Street with the first 4am license issued in Newtown in 100 years. The 120-person basement bar will boast a commitment to hosting live music and entertainment until late seven days a week, with Odd Culture's Group Operations & Entertainment Manager Sabrina Medcalf (The Duke of Enmore, ex-Frankie's) in charge of curating the nightly program.
"We plan to blow up the status quo of what your average live music bar is presenting, especially late-night offerings in entertainment," says Medcalf.
"You know when you have friends that visit from overseas — Berlin, LA, NY, wherever? And you kind of get stuck on where to take them? They have experienced it all. You want to please them, right? Be proud you showed them something different. This is what I feel Pleasure Club will be able to do. It will be able to perform all acts."
Based on longstanding and innovative gig rooms in US cities like Los Angeles and New Orleans, Pleasure Club will be a stripped-back space with a heaving sound system and an exciting drinks menu spanning natural wines, a sizeable spirits list with a particular focus on agave, a rotating list of craft beers and special uniquely Odd Culture surprises, with the likes of an absinthe fountain being teased.
"The concept is based on a fever-dream amalgamation of good fucking tunes, the baptismal effect of southern hospitality and kindness to the soul, and the yearning for social sanctuaries and places to unburden ourselves of worldly pains," says Odd Culture Creative Director Nick Zavadszky.
The announcement comes at a crossroads for both the hospitality group and Sydney's live music landscape following the loss of the legendary Frankie's, as well as smaller community venues like the Giant Dwarf Theatre and HiWay Bar.
As for Odd Culture, its beloved Enmore Road haunt The Duke of Enmore has blazed the trail for this new underground bar, with the pub currently celebrating the milestone of hosting 666 days of live music since Odd Culture took over operations in 2020. The team also recently stepped away from The Oxford Tavern and is currently gearing up to open its first Melbourne venue.
The Duke of Enmore
Pleasure Club is set to open on King Street, Newtown as early as August. You can sign up to the mailing list to be the first to know when more info comes through.
Top image: King Street, Cassandra Hannagan.