Following a major grant award, a Sydney nightlife classic is closing to upgrade its accessibility.
Today, the Darlinghurst mainstay Club 77 has announced it is the recipient of Sound NSW’s Venue Upgrade Grant, a significant bonus that will be put towards a venue redesign that prioritises accessibility for its visitors.
As such, Club 77 will close its doors to the general public on Monday, April 13, 2026 with the aim of reopening by June 4, 2026 as a properly accessible venue. In a statement to media, the club said “we believe inclusivity and accessibility are no longer just nice-to-haves, but essential components of any successful venue.”
The accessibility focused redesign will be spearheaded by design studio Inochi Design Life, adding an accessible entrance 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.
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There’ll also be a new dedicated sensory space for patrons with sensory processing needs or challenges related to emotional regulation, braille signage for blind and visually impaired guests and haptic vests available for deaf and hard of hearing guests to better enjoy music on-premises.
Club 77’s Music Director Dane Gorrel said “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 reality and we couldn’t be more grateful. Everyone should be able to experience live music in an accessible, inclusive and safe environment.”
The upgrades are made possible by support from 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.
The club has also a reopening party organised in partnership with Crip Rave Theory for some time after renovations conclude, but no further details have been released.
