Owner Jason Hanna has posted to social media that Darwin’s Deck Bar is set to shut its doors next month, after a remarkable 14-year run.
Hanna is more typically known for heralding new ventures, but shared that “sometimes all good things come to an end.”
“The Deck will see its final days mid-June. It’s time for someone or something else to take advantage of its beautiful location.”
Reflecting on the countless memories forged over the years, Hanna expressed gratitude to staff, customers, building management, and performers who have graced the venue.
“There have been so many great memories and amazing people over the last 14 years that we wouldn’t know where to begin,” he said.
In his post, Mr Hanna didn’t provide a specific reason for the closure. Notably absent was any mention of the venue being broken into seven times in a 72-hour period over Christmas.
Management disclosed that the venue faced repeated break-ins over the three-day span from Christmas Eve to Boxing Day, with CCTV capturing three separate groups raiding the bar for booze. Unlike typical smash-and-grab tactics, these thieves used tools to wedge open the back door, leaving the breach undetected until Boxing Day morning.
Hanna is a venerable figure in Darwin’s hospitality landscape, with nearly four decades of experience running numerous Top End establishments. Alongside the Deck, his portfolio includes Waterfront restaurant Chow, Lazy Susan’s in Cavenagh Street, and Good Times in Palmerston.
This announcement follows a recent Facebook post by the owner of neighbouring venue Tim’s Surf and Turf, who was forced to install a security gate with a spiked top after 18 break-ins to date in 2024.
