Sydney’s legendary queer bar ARQ reopened this weekend, in a spectacle of laser light effects, aerialists, dancers, drag performances, and a special guest. After a two-year hiatus, endless rumours, and a multi-million dollar facelift, ARQ was at capacity soon after opening its doors on Friday night.
Mark Richerdson, the former owner of the now closed-down Italian restaurant Bel & Brio, has been accused by former staff of not paying the back-wages they are entitled to.
Festival organisers and the City of Sydney say they are committed to sprucing up the strip - but three months from the start of the world’s biggest pride festival, Sydney’s primary LGBTQ hub is in a parlous state.