URGE has never been the kind of night that simmers. It boils. It pulses. It erupts. Born on K’ Road back in 1997, the iconic bar-with-attitude has evolved into Aotearoa’s ultimate gay dance-party giant—and for its 28th birthday, the beats were so hot the fire alarm did actually go off.
From the moment the doors opened, the energy was pure ignition. DJs Butterchick, Everett Wayne & James Leuii kept the floor heaving, and drag legend Tess Tickle graced the stage.
Things were running smoother than a well-oiled dancefloor until around 2.15am, when a small fire in basement bar, G.A.Y’s toilets triggered alarms across the entire building. As organiser Paul Heard put it:
“Everyone was buzzing after the shows, then suddenly—WAAWAA fire alarms. At first we thought it was part of the music! Our patrons were amazing, though. It turned into a bit of a street-party vibe!”
And honestly? That response sums up URGE perfectly. A community that shows up for each other. A dancefloor that turns mishaps into moments. A party that doesn’t break—it just spills out onto the street and keeps glowing.
28 years on, URGE is still beating strong. Still supporting our queer whānau. Still lighting up the night!
Here’s to the next one. Keep dancing, keep connecting, and keep turning up the heat. 🔥💙🏳️🌈
Photos | Jasmin Sheikh
