Exactly one year to the day since it opened, Darlinghurst’s Meraki Arts Bar will immediately close and soon enter liquidation, say its owners.
The three-level venue – which offered live entertainment, as well as food, drink karaoke and comedy – blamed the real estate landscape of Oxford Street and pressure from its landlord as reasons why it had to shut, and added that its landlord wished to replace it with a nightclub.
More recently, the venue was used to facilitate some drag performances.
“It is with great sadness and heartache that we announce the closure of Meraki Arts Bar,” the bar said in a statement on its social media on Wednesday, which was signed by co-owners Luke Holmes (32), Kieran Michalowicz-Took (33), Margaret Theophanous (23), and Robert Rutter Boekemann (27).
They each own 25 per cent of the company, according to ASIC records.
The co-owners acknowledged that a “top priority” was securing funds to pay remaining debts and invoices.
“While closing at this point is the most responsible course, it does leave many artists without a home for their upcoming show, and some who performed with us recently are still awaiting payment,” they said.
The arts bar said the recent rejuvenation of Oxford Street made turning the bar into a nightclub “a much greater possibility than it was when we moved in, and the real estate landscape on Oxford Street does not allow us to financially compete with that business model”.
“To continue trading would therefore require significant capital that we do not have to force their hand, and we have had to make the devastating decision to close our doors,” it said.
Continuing the business “would only risk further financial harm for both ourselves and all upcoming and currently unpaid artists”, it added.
All ticket holders will be contacted directly to arrange either a refund, or a “donation” of their ticket “to ensure that as many artists as possible are paid as much as possible”.
“We are so proud of what we achieved over the past year, and we ended up giving more than 200k in payments to artists throughout 2022/23,” the co-owners said.
“We thank everyone who has performed at our venue, danced the night away or enjoyed a cocktail.”
ASIC records show the business, which trades as Meraki Arts Co Pty Ltd, is yet to file for administration.
Commenting below Meraki’s social media post announcing the bar’s closure, drag queen Ruby Royale said: “Thank you for all of your kindness and support to the community, wishing the team all the best on your next adventure xx”
Said Lottie Lamont, another drag artist: “I am devastated. So glad I got to experience Meraki. You've been so supportive of me and other artists trying something new, you'll be very very much missed.”
Added actor Remy Hii: “Thanks for giving Sydney a much needed home for emerging artists and captivating work. A place like Meraki was something this city sorely needed, but perhaps didn’t deserve.”
GSN has contacted Meraki for further comment and is also making attempts to contact the landlord.
Ben Grubb is the founder and editor of Gay Sydney News, an independent publication covering LGBTQIA+ news. A journalist with more than 15 years' experience, he has reported and edited for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, WAToday, Brisbane Times, The Australian Financial Review, News.com.au, ZDNet, TelecomTimes and iTnews, primarily on the topic of technology. He previously hosted The Informer, a queer current affairs program on Melbourne’s JOY 94.9 radio station, and contributes to LGBTQIA+ media including Stun Magazine. Ben has also appeared as a technology commentator on Channel Ten's The Project, ABC RN’s Download This Show and commercial radio stations 2UE, 2GB and 6PR. Contact Ben: [email protected]
