Iconic queer venue The Bearded Tit announces closure after 11 years
The Gadigal Land/Sydney-based bar & creative space has become a much loved home among Australia's queer community.
One of Gadigal Land/Sydney's most loved and respected queer venues, The Bearded Tit, is closing after 11 years.
The Tit's owner, Joy Ng, shared the news via a post shared to the venue's account this morning, Monday, June 2. In it, Joy reflects on an incredible run and that the decision comes from a deeply personal place.
"I am at a stage in my life where I want to expand my horizons and explore a career outside of hospitality," Joy said. "The Bearded Tit has been so much more than a bar. It has been a sanctuary for queer, POC, and other historically underrepresented communities. Through our arts, performance, and cultural programs, we've had the honour of showcasing Sydney's most exciting emerging creatives as well as artists beyond our shores," she continued.
The Bearded Tit, sitting on Regent St, Redfern, and comfortably outside of the city's limits, has long stood as a bastion of queer pride, community and experimentation in art, music and performance.
In the Tit's own words, "a place for rebels and fluro beasts, where hard love and tender freaks rule," and where a rotating program ensured that creatives, artists and musicians always had an opportunity upon its stage.
While venue closures, particularly those on Gadigal Land, may immediately prompt punters to assume that the venue needs "help" or "saving", Joy has made it quite clear that that is not the case here.
"While I deeply appreciate the love and support of the Tit community, I am not looking for the venue to be 'saved'. Comments of love and appreciation are welcomed however, the business will not be for sale. This decision is final and I ask that you respect this," she shared.
An expected outpouring of love and support has begun in the comments section of the announcement, and people sharing their own stories of the Tit's importance in their lives.
The Tit's curtain call is expected to take place at the beginning of November, with undoubtedly a variety of celebrations to follow.
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Jack Colquhoun is Mixmag ANZ's Managing Editor, find him on Instagram.
