Sydney’s famous mecca for drag shows, gender illusionists and star of hit movie ‘Priscilla Queens of the Desert’ is being taken over in April by acclaimed entertainment operators Spice Group International.
Having outgrown their current digs in Martin Place, the team behind the Spice Cellar is moving into the iconic Imperial Hotel to further expand its highly successful European underground entertainment theme.
Founder and co-owner of Spice Group, Murat Kilic told PubTIC the LGBTI entertainment would perfectly complement the Hotel’s core themes of: culture, community and diversity.
“We have hosted LGBTI* focused events before and also had drag shows at the 
venue, so it is a natural evolution for us since much of our entertainment is styled on European clubbing – in particular Berlin, where gay and straight mix happily on the dance floor and beyond.
“We have Jonny Seymour of the famed Kooky events who has been named as the cultural ambassador to for the Imperial Hotel.”
Kilic reports the Erskineville hotel will undergo a gradual re-styling to create distinct spaces with the building. The famous Basement Club will be renamed the Spice Cellar, street level will become The Lounge, with live entertainment and signature cocktails, and upstairs will become The Imperial Bar and transformed into a casual social space.
*Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender/Transsexual and Intersexed