Poof Doof will launch at the ARQ Sydney nightclub tonight after leaving Kinselas at Taylor Square.
This is what you need to know:
- There’ll be a DJ booth set up in Trash Alley as a pop-up. Dubbed “Dumpster Disco”, it’ll activate sometime after midnight.
- The room that contained Dance Dance Revolution, a car racing game, a photo booth and a pinball machine has been converted back into a dark “chill-out” room containing beanbags.
- The chill-out room will play different music to that playing on the dance floors. It also has a dance cage in it. While technically not a “quiet room”, you should be able to hold a conversation in it.
- The mezzanine will be closed off to the general public and reserved for Poof Doof keyring holders and guests. The cocktail bar is also closed off to the general public.
- No, Bodyline (the sex-on-premises venue next door) will not be open in time for the launch.
- Pre-sale tickets have sold out and there are none left for purchase. However, there will be $25 tickets available at the door.
- If you don’t have a ticket, Poof Doof recommends arriving before 10pm to avoid an extended wait – or arriving after 1am.
- There will be no pass-outs, meaning once you leave you won’t be able to re-enter without paying and lining up again.
- The venue is open 9pm until late.
- Those wearing drag get free express entry all night.
- ARQ’s capacity is larger than Kinselas’ by about a third.
- The “Snap Crackle Pop” pop music room is downstairs and the main room playing house music is upstairs.
- The main show – Doll Domination with drag queen Karna Ford, James Vidigal and Whyan Chen – is at 1.30am in the main room.
- There will also be Snap Crackle Pop spot performances with Coco Jumbo at 12.30am and Danni Issues at 2am.
- There are $8 drink specials.
- The revolving doors are NOT automatic like they used to be a few years back. Do yourself a favour and push them as you enter the dance floors.
- The cloakroom is under the stairs near the chill-out room.
- The lighting rig upstairs has the ability to move up and down.
- ARQ fish tank update: We could only spot one fish remaining when we previewed Poof Doof at ARQ on Saturday afternoon. If you spot the other one we saw a few weeks back, please let us know. Maybe it was hiding/resting. Otherwise, it’s RIP to fishy #2.
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: ben.grubb@gaysydneynews.com.au
