Odd Culture Group will take over operations of Sydney venue, The Imperial Erskineville, from 1 September, with plans for a $5 million redevelopment set to begin in early 2027.
The move comes as part of a joint venture with current owners Universal Hotels, with both groups committing to the long-term future of one of Australia’s most significant queer venues.
Originally built in 1880, The Imperial became a landmark of Sydney’s queer community under former owner Dawn O’Donnell and achieved international recognition through its appearance in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. In 2025, the venue was added to the NSW State Heritage Register in recognition of its cultural and historical significance.
The redevelopment will almost double the venue’s ground floor footprint through an expanded beer garden, creating one of the Inner West’s largest outdoor hospitality spaces. Plans also include a new 24-hour club, alongside upgrades to the venue’s dining offering, public spaces and overall guest experience.
Odd Culture Group Founder and Director James Thorpe said the project is about securing the future of the venue while allowing it to continue evolving.
“The Imperial has spent more than forty years helping to shape Sydney’s queer culture. This redevelopment is one of the biggest investments in its history, but more importantly, it’s an investment in the next forty years,” he said.
“Our ambition is not simply to preserve one of Australia’s most iconic queer venues, but to ensure it continues to evolve as one of the world’s great queer institutions for generations to come.”
Universal Hotels Chief Operating Officer Richie Haines said the partnership with Odd Culture Group was the right fit for the venue’s next chapter.
“We’ve been taking our time obtaining the necessary planning approvals, and carefully considering the future of the venue,” he said.
“We’re committed to making The Imperial the best it can be, for the local and broader community. Partnering with Odd Culture Group will ensure that happens – we’re impressed with their ambition, and confident that we can work together to bring it to life.”
The partnership brings together Universal Hotels, which owns venues including Universal, The Oxford and The Riley, with Odd Culture Group, known for venues including Odd Culture Newtown, The Duke of Enmore and The Old Fitz.
“Both Odd Culture and Universal Hotels understand that queer venues are living cultural institutions. They’re places where artists experiment, communities gather and culture continues to evolve. That’s what makes this partnership so exciting: we’re aligned in our commitment to protecting the Impy’s legacy while giving it the confidence to be ambitious.”
The planned 24-hour club is also expected to contribute to Sydney’s late-night economy, with Thorpe saying there remains an opportunity for a large-format venue capable of attracting local and international visitors.
“Sydney has come a long way since the lockout laws with vibrancy reforms creating the conditions for nightlife to flourish again. But we feel there is still a gap in the form of a truly ambitious large-format club capable of standing alongside the world’s best,” he said.
“We are aspiring to contribute to this missing piece by creating one of the world’s great queer clubs and a destination capable of attracting audiences from around Australia and overseas.”
The Imperial will continue to trade as normal while planning and approvals progress ahead of the redevelopment beginning in early 2027.