Sydney’s Club 77 to Become One of Australia’s Most Accessible Nightlife Venues
The renovation of the venue comes as a successful recipient of Sound NSW’s ‘Venue Upgrade Grants’ initiative.
Gadigal Land/Sydney’s Club 77 will close early in 2026 for the space to transform into one of Australia’s most accessible nightlife venues.
The renovation of the venue comes as a successful recipient of Sound NSW’s ‘Venue Upgrade Grants’ initiative, which will see it upgraded to accommodate clubbers and electronic music lovers living with a disability.
These changes will include an accessible entry with a wheelchair lift, accessible bathroom facilities, an accessible bar and lowered bar top, an accessible DJ booth and live music performance area, accessible seating, and 1.5 metres of wheelchair turning space throughout the venue.
A dedicated sensory room will also provide a space for individuals with sensory processing needs or challenges related to emotional regulation. Braille and tactile signage is set to be installed throughout the venue to support navigation for people who are blind or have low vision. Haptic vests will also be available on-site, offering a new and immersive way for Deaf and hard of hearing punters to experience live music.
77 is also one of NSW’s only nightclubs to operate under its own Master Security License, meaning that its security team is not contracted, but instead employed and directly trained by the venue itself.
Accessibility for people with disability will be at the forefront of a progressive redesign spearheaded by Kristie Paul, owner of independent creative design and interior architectural studio Inochi Design Life.
Alongside the awarding of the grant by Sound NSW, 77 worked with a variety of industry leaders for consultation and support throughout its application. They include Accessible Arts, Electronic Music Conference (EMC), Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), Green Music Australia, alongside artists Aquenta of Crip Rave Theory and Transenergy director Sophie Forrest.
In celebrating the announcement, Club 77’s Music Director, Dane Gorrel, shared that “It’s been both a dream and mission of Club 77’s long-term plan to make the venue accessible and truly inclusive. Thanks to Sound NSW, this dream is now becoming a reality, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Everyone should be able to experience live music in an accessible, inclusive and safe environment. This new chapter for the community is so exciting, and we are looking forward to being a venue for all.”
Riana Head-Toussaint aka Aquenta, founder of Crip Rave Theory, shared that, “the accessibility upgrades at Club 77 will have a massive impact on the music and nightlife culture of Sydney. In a landscape that is still largely inaccessible, it will be a game-changer in terms of who can be booked, who can attend, and ultimately, who can contribute to the culture. It also shows what can happen with imagination and investment, and will hopefully inspire other spaces and organisers. Can't wait for the reopening!”
Club 77 will close its doors from Monday, April 13, until Thursday, June 4, next year to undergo these extensive works, with a reopening party in collaboration with Crip Rave Theory set to be announced in early 2026.
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Jack Colquhoun is Mixmag ANZ's Managing Editor, find him on Instagram.
