DT’s safe as gay venue

The news isn’t all bad for gay nightlife in Melbourne, with confirmation last week that Richmond’s DT’s Hotel will remain a GLBTI venue.

There had been plenty of speculation about the bar’s future after the property was sold at auction on May 26.

DT’s bar manager Bruce McKenzie, who’s been with the hotel since it opened, told the Star Observer he was excited about its future.

“A lot of the customers had been apprehensive about the decision, so I’m glad we’ve been asked to stick around,” he said.

McKenzie had been on holidays for three weeks during the transition period with the new owners and had to wait until his return for a meeting about his future involvement.

He said there were likely to be some renovations down the track, but the feel of the venue would remain the same.

“The new owner doesn’t know the gay scene much, which is why he wants us to stay on,” he said.

“We’re likely to make some minor changes to the hotel in the coming months but it’ll mostly be planning and in about 12 months we’ll give areas like the garden a bit of a facelift.”

Having served drinks to the community for 16 years, DT’s is also well known for its drag and community events, and for being drag personality Dulcie Du Jour’s stage.

Nearby club venues The Market and the Xchange Hotel in Prahran have closed in recent months.