Oxford Street venue Universal Sydney is launching a new six-week queer event aimed at university-aged partygoers, transforming its main bar into a Y2K-inspired playground packed with drag, DJs and giveaways.
The party – called It's a Uni Night – begins as a mid-week event tonight (Wednesday, November 19), and is being presented in partnership with emerging creative Noah Martin, who is taking his first step into event producing after working behind the bar at Universal's Banana Bar.
The weekly Wednesday party will be hosted by drag performers Carmen Geddit and Charisma Belle (of Slay 2 Stay fame) and feature a rotating roster of DJs, performers and giveaways. Entry is free, and punters who book online (bit.ly/4oC2C63) for the first night's launch will receive their first drink on the house.
The venue has also launched an "attendance card", playing into the theme of university, which gives patrons a free drink every third visit if they get their card stamped at the door by hostess Champagne.
Universal venue manager Johnny Smith said the goal was to create a night that captured the excitement of discovering queer nightlife for the first time.
"We want to create a night that feels like your first time walking into a queer bar – exciting, safe and authentic," said Smith, "For many people this will be their very first night in a queer environment so we want this to be special."
The event was born from Universal's search for a mid-week refresh, with Martin pitching a full proposal almost immediately.
"While we were floating the idea of a midweek refresh, Noah had a proposal ready the next day! His passion and creativity aligned perfectly with what we envisioned – which is creating a space for the next generation of queer nightlife," said Smith.
Universal says the Wednesday night format aims to offer an accessible, inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ students and anyone who loves pop, disco and house.
Martin said the name was mostly a play on words but that uni students were "definitely a target demographic".
"We're aiming to attract students with the vibe and affordability of the event and its midweek placement, but it's open to everyone and anyone," he said.
"We will also be doing a pop-quiz-style game with prizes on the night called Are You Smarter Than A Drag Queen, where people will have to answer true or false questions and hopefully beat the guest queen's score for that week."
Martin said the night would be especially accommodating for those who want to go out and have fun but might sometimes get too overwhelmed or overstimulated from the experience.
"We’re … setting up Banana Bar as a sensory-friendly area, with lower lights, lower volume, less intense music etc," he said. "We're trying to be as accessible and inclusive as we can be because I believe that's something that's been missing from a lot of events in the community."
Martin's move into producing comes as venues on Oxford Street increasingly diversify their weeknight offerings to attract younger crowds.
Across the six-week run, attendees can expect DJ sets from Benny & The Decks, Kuya Hennessy, GAYDRIAN and Calmell, alongside appearances from special guests including drag artist Diana Whole.
The venue says the programming will shift weekly to keep the night fresh and give emerging performers space to shine.
Universal sees the new night as part of a broader effort to cultivate the next generation of queer nightlife regulars – particularly young people who may not yet feel confident entering traditional late-night club environments.
"[Martin's] passion and creativity aligned perfectly with what we envisioned – which is creating a space for the next generation of queer nightlife," said Smith.
It's a Uni Night event details
Wednesdays from November 19, 8pm until late
Free entry + complimentary drink with online ticket: bit.ly/4oC2C63
Universal Main Bar, 85 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Hosted by: Carmen Geddit & Charisma Belle
DJs on rotation: GAYDRIAN, Benny & The Decks, Calmell, and Kuya Hennessy
This week's special guest: Diana Whole
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]
