The opening night of Rush Bar last year Another of the nation's gay venues is to close, with Wellington's Steamworx and Rush Bar calling it a day due to a substantial hike in rent. Owners Aaron King and Dion Leslie have decided to close the doors at the community bar and sex on site venue, after rent negotiations with the landlord. They are thanking the community for their support for the business, and say they will leave with many fond memories. “We have so enjoyed hosting our community at a multitude of events. Our regulars – our punters and performers – have been fantastic fun and many have grown to be good friends” King says. They say have been impressed with the ready support members of the hospitality industry have shown them at this time. All events booked for Rush will be moved to Ivy Bar in the James Smith Basement, lower Cuba Street, or the Fringe Bar in its new location in Allen Street. This includes the Out in the Park talent search, Try Outs. Try Outs will now be held at the Fringe Bar, on Thursday 18th and Wednesday 24th September. “We're stoked that Ivy and Fringe have stepped up to help us find alternative venues for all the great events we had planned. It's been great to know the events will still be held, so everyone can still party,” Leslie says. King and Leslie say they will continue to work on their other business ventures, and also their favourite community project, Out in the Park. “We're entrepreneurs, there's always something doing” Leslie says. The announcement comes hot on the heels of the closure of Auckland's Legend Bar, as the building it's in needs earthquake strengthening.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 15th September 2014 - 5:47pm