“It was heartbreaking to have to close and not being able to provide our safe space for our queer whānau to party,” Ivy Bar owner Steven Mawhinney tells express.
Cuba Street institution Ivy Bar & Cabaret was forced to close at 11pm on New Year’s Ever due to flooding.
Following another tough year for the hospitality industry, this was a heartbreaking conclusion to 2022 for the popular queer venue.
“Around 10 pm we found a pool of water coming from back area, [there was] a burst water pipe which was starting to flood our entrance way,” Ivy Bar owner Steven Mawhinney tells express.
“We were forced to shut the water off to the building to stop the leak. We called many emergency and 24 hour plumbers but none would respond. Seems they were all off for new year,” he tells us.
“After a long time exhausting all possibilities of fix the suitation I had so make the painful call to close the venue, because with the water shut off we had not toilets, no post mix soda and unable to do any cleaning.
“This happened just as we were starting to get busy at the start of the night. We had only been open for an hour before the leak was found.
“It was heartbreaking to have to close and not being able to provide a safe space for our queer whānau to party and see in the new year.”
As well as feeling sad for disappointed patrons, Steven tells us that needing to close early on this busy night, was disastrous for his business.
“New Years is our biggest night of the year and the loss of that, after the horrible year that covid has given hospo, is just another kick in teeth.
“We are sorry to all the people who planned to have us as part of their new years night, but look forward to seeing them when we reopen on Friday.
“We are thankful to all the kind messages of support from our community.”
Image | Ivy Bar & Cabaret Facebook.
