Sydney’s Imperial Hotel Joins LGBTQ+ Heritage Icons With Historic Listing
The Imperial Hotel in Sydney is now a protected LGBTQ+ landmark.
The Imperial Hotel in Erskineville, Sydney, has been officially heritage-listed, acknowledging its profound cultural and historical significance for the LGBTQ+ community. This designation ensures the preservation of the venue, requiring council approval for any significant alterations.
Since 1983, the Imperial has stood as a vibrant sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community. Penny Sharpe, New South Wales Heritage Minister, emphasized, “Places are important and for the LGBTIQ community, places like this have always been important and they remain so, they remain safe spaces.” This recognition celebrates not just the building’s architecture but the rich tapestry of stories and experiences it has nurtured.
The hotel’s journey began in the 1880s, with the current structure dating back to 1940. A pivotal transformation occurred in 1983 when Dawn O’Donnell, a trailblazing entrepreneur and LGBTQ+ advocate, acquired the venue. She reimagined it from a traditional pub into a lively hub for the gay and lesbian community. Sharpe lauded O’Donnell as an “incredible woman” who courageously established a “wonderful and beautiful and important” space during a time when homosexuality was still illegal in New South Wales.
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The Imperial’s fame skyrocketed worldwide when it was featured in the 1994 film “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.” The movie’s opening and closing scenes showcased the hotel’s front bar, where actors Hugo Weaving and Guy Pearce performed on top of the bar, bringing global attention to Sydney’s vibrant queer scene. This cinematic moment cemented the Imperial’s status as a cultural landmark.
“It’s the first place that I ever went out in drag, and on that night, I discovered a community that made me feel at home, represented and like I had a bright future full of people like me ahead.” -Oliver Levi-Malouf (aka: Etcetera Etcetera)
Reflecting on her personal experiences, Sharpe shared that she frequented the Imperial upon moving to Sydney in the 1990s. “I was young. It was fun … to have a place like this when you’re fresh in Sydney and just a group of people that are so accepting,” she reminisced.
Oliver Levi-Malouf, the Imperial’s entertainment manager and renowned drag performer (known as Etcetera Etcetera), expressed pride in the hotel’s lasting legacy. He shared, “It’s the first place that I ever went out in drag, and on that night, I discovered a community that made me feel at home, represented and like I had a bright future full of people like me ahead.”
Over the years, the Imperial has undergone several renovations to enhance its facilities while preserving its rich history. In 2018, a significant refurbishment introduced new dining and entertainment spaces, including a 250-seat restaurant named Priscillas, paying homage to its cinematic legacy. The redesign aimed to create a “palace of pleasure,” blending historical elements with modern aesthetics to continue serving as a hub for creativity and self-expression.
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In June 2023, Universal Hotels acquired the Imperial, with CEO Harris Kospetas emphasizing the group’s commitment to honoring the venue’s legacy. “The Imperial Hotel resonates with Universal Hotels’ strong connection to the (LGBTQ+) community,” Kospetas stated. The acquisition aims to infuse fresh energy into the beloved space while maintaining its traditions of performance, dance, and music.
The heritage listing of the Imperial Hotel not only safeguards its architectural integrity but also celebrates its ongoing role as a beacon of inclusivity and expression. As Sharpe aptly noted, “It’s so important to tell the story of all of our communities in Sydney and in Australia, and the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Sydney is important to tell and to preserve.”
For those seeking a venue rich in history, culture, and fabulous entertainment, stepping into the Imperial is like walking into a living narrative of love, acceptance, and unbridled joy. And in today’s world, choosing joy in queer spaces is nothing short of an act of resistance.
