Sydney’s queer nightlife has its fair share of ups and downs, with many parties fizzling out after Mardi Gras or struggling to draw crowds during the colder months. But Flash, a new weekly club night geared towards gay men, is bucking that trend – proving a warm, sweaty, pop-infused, multi-level dance party still has a place in Sydney’s wintry season.
From the moment you enter, Flash sets itself apart. Rather than herding punters into a single dark room, the event sprawls across two levels, each with its own atmosphere, music and temperature. Upstairs leans into house music with the occasional pop detour, while downstairs is pure pop – the place to lose your voice screaming Britney Spears and Lady Gaga lyrics. It’s also where the crowd tends to cool off after things get too intense upstairs.
The top floor has a rough-and-ready feel, like a house party that’s unexpectedly turned into a nightclub. The demographic skews mid to late 20s and older, though a handful of younger guys are in the mix. There’s a rotating lineup of DJs surrounded by a halo of light, giving the space a moody, ever-changing vibe and plenty of room to stand, sip or sweat. Plush green lounges sit near the bar, alongside mirrors with gold finishes – but the open-plan layout and narrow passage between the bar and gender-neutral toilets create a bottleneck that often results in long queues. The fix? Head downstairs for a drink.
What sets Flash apart is its refusal to lose momentum. At 2.30am, the top floor is still pulsing with energy. Maybe it’s the venue’s smaller capacity, or maybe it’s the void left by Poof Doof no longer hosting regular Sydney events since Arq’s closure – a prime moment to launch something new. Either way, it’s a vibe.
Flash is the brainchild of Seismic Talent Agency director and booking agent Joel Siviour; Ryan Marshall, a DJ who also manages venues including the Metro Theatre and Enmore Theatre; and Rojdar Zengin, a DJ and former general manager of Good Life Presents – a Mushroom Group-run festival targeted at 13 to 17-year-olds.
Saturdays, 10pm-4am (3am last entry) at new venue, KX Club, 24 Bayswater Rd, Potts Point
By Ben Grubb
https://gaysydneynews.com.au/
