After five years on Sydney’s dance floors, Deja Vu is preparing for its final Saturday night.
Posting on Instagram, Australia’s largest circuit party, run by GAYM Entertainment, will host its final event on May 9.
Deja Vu has been running Upstairs at Universal every Saturday night for the past five years.
“We have one last dance together,” they posted on Instagram.
“Every week for the past five years, we’ve danced, celebrated and clacked our fans.”
It has hosted more than 280 events over the past five years, with the group saying it has “loved every second.”
“But it’s time to hang up the weekly shows at Universal.”
Founder and owner of GAYM Entertainment, Jesse Lawson, told Gay Sydney Daily that it was the end of an era.
“It definitely feels like the end of an era. It’s been an incredible ride with Universal. I’m proud that we built something so special. For regulars, it felt like family, which we’ll treasure long after we wrap up,” he said.
“Five years is an extremely long tenure for a club night, but as creatives and promoters we’re always raising the bar, and we’re so excited for what we have planned next.”
Deja Vu launched not long after Sydney came out of COVID lockdowns, with Lawson saying it is now a vastly different landscape, with more changes to follow.
“People complain that Sydney nightlife is dead, but Sydney — and queer Sydney nightlife in particular — is at the precipice of a massive reset (especially Oxford Street).”
Lawson said the strip was on the cusp of a resurgence and he was excited for GAYM to be at the forefront of that.
“Universal will always have a place in our hearts, but it’s time to shake things up a bit,” he said.
“After five years, the market is ready for something new, and we’re excited to be the ones to deliver something Sydney is yet to see.”
No hints were offered as to what comes next, with everything to be revealed soon.
Deja Vu thanked the Universal team for their five years of support, and the revellers who came back each week.
“Thank you to everyone who has danced with us and created the family and community we have today.”
Tickets for the final Deja Vu are on sale via their website now.
