8 October 2008

New gay bar for Woden

| johnboy
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A reader has brought to my attention an announcement in SX News:

    “The Hush Lounge is the exciting new addition to Canberra’s gay scene, joining Cube and Tilley’s to become the centre of gay and lesbian social life in Australia’s capital city. The Hush Lounge caters to older gays and lesbians looking for a low-key casual environment to meet and drink with friends, without blaring music. Funky, arty and modern décor helps to bring the relaxed atmosphere to life, along with the beer garden outside.

    The Hush Lounge, Irving Street, Woden (South), open now.

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Fiveby5 said :

I love topics like this, it exposes Canberra’s redneck element. I feel like I’m living in Townsville again.

Any venue with a smart marketing strategy has a defined target market – look at Academy, The Basement, Mercury Bar etc. That’s all this is, developing a successful business by meeting the needs of a fairly sizeable market.

PS I’ve never encountered, or seen, any discrimination at places like Cube, although they will discriminate against dickheads.

Well said!

Good luck to them. Many years ago I used to attend gay bars as I had a few gay friends. I thought it was only fair we go there as we normally hung out at The Canberra Labor Clubs Singles Party night (every Saturday night), the Bin, etc. where they had little hope of picking up. I was a bit uncomfortable at first about seeing guys kiss other guys but once I realised it was my own prejudice that was the problem and not their actions, I got over it.

One night I and another straight mate in the group got our fingers suitably smacked for hitting on a couple of girls in the bar. They were also straight but made it quite clear that they were there as it was a safe environment where they weren’t hit on all night.

Pommy bastard9:56 am 31 Dec 08

BigDave said :

I can never understand why they come up with these stupid names for gay bars anyway. Why “Hush”? Are they trying to keep their sexuality a big secret? Or hoping nobody will tell anyone else about it?
Why not have traditional names in the old pub style, such as The Lifted Shirt or The Uphill Gardener perhaps?

I have to admit a guilty laugh at that one. “The Horse’s Hoof” “The Comfortable Shoe-Inn”
“The Jumped Puddle”

I love topics like this, it exposes Canberra’s redneck element. I feel like I’m living in Townsville again.

Any venue with a smart marketing strategy has a defined target market – look at Academy, The Basement, Mercury Bar etc. That’s all this is, developing a successful business by meeting the needs of a fairly sizeable market.

PS I’ve never encountered, or seen, any discrimination at places like Cube, although they will discriminate against dickheads.

:)I think so

Fine. Nice to hear. But are the chics hot?

The Hush Lounge is turning out to be a really great place, on sundays they have live music and although a GLBT safe place it is also straight friendly.

I’m unsure just how many ‘straight’ bars/clubs, etc there are in Canberra. Us lesbians and gays have so few places we can go to be with ‘our people’, without onlookers coming to hang out cos it’s cool to go to a ‘gay’ venue. The vast majority of us are a minority in our day to day life. From work, to watching television – it’s a pretty straight environment. So why not let us enjoy being together and celebrating the struggle and how far we’ve come and how far we’ve yet to go. You’ve got dozens of places to choose from. Go there.

Apparently you can become a fan on Facebook…
I know because Andrew Barr did it and then Facebook told me./namedrop>

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Phillip-Australia/The-Hush-Lounge/39889336677

sorry.. that was uncalled for.. Only because I can not handle arguments in these forums like this..
Instead I will say thanks for assimilating and calling me an idiot…

I am sure it is a lovely place and that you are right!!

Cheers

Oh please.. bless me with more of your wisdom…

Long as they have good food and drinks and service who gives a fcuk, I may even go there myself for an ego trip with a pick up or two, closely followed by a flash of my (wedding) ring 🙂

From what I’ve gathered, Hush isn’t intended to be openly seperatist or anything either – much in the way that Tilley’s, for instance, is ostensibly a lesbian bar, but seems happy to serve people of either orientation…

If they’re going the Tilley’s model and adding the additional criteria of competent bar staff, that would be lovely. However, this is Canberra and competent bar staff is a rarity anyway…

@ dingo84

You probably have already assimilated…..

I dont care if you’re gay or not, what you do behind closed doors is your business….

I have gay friends too you know, does that lend me credibility……idiot

What I was trying to exemplify was that no minority – not just GAY PEOPLE , but no minority can get places if they keep trying to be a separatist movement.

Sure its fine to remain as you are in your minority but at the majority should not always be the ones to make the changes to fit in.

Once again I have Gay friends, support gay rights on everything including enduring power of attorney, superannuation beneficiaries, civil unions (Or weddings, the name means fcuk all, just give the same rights as heterosexual unions) carers leave for children from previous marriages, so dont try and paint me with any kind of homophobia brush…little do you know my friend…little do you know

Anywho….gaybars eh… God bless 🙂

Either could be sexual assault, if the person on the receiving end is offended.

I think anything could be sexual assault, as long as you’re lawyer’s good enough to make it stick.

Unbeliever said :

So…anyway.. how many here have been to Hush and what do they think of the venue?

I would love to check it out…. I much prefer a quieter pub style environment to drink and unwind on a weekend as opposed to a night club… Not many gay venues with that sort of vibe..
Fingers crossed the ‘gay friendly’ aspect holds up 🙂

Davo111 said :

tickboom said :

I’m not aware of any gay clubs that would exclude straight friends as you have suggested, or make straight people pay. Both policies appear ridiculous and unenforceable anyway.

Name and shame – Cube.

I have taken many straight friends to Cube with me, maybe I forgot to make them wear there straight badges.. How sneaky of me to break the rules so they could get in for free.. There has only ever been one gay club that I know of (In Melbourne) that actually made a point of excluding hetrosexuals.
Other then that gay clubs are openly accepting of anyone and everyone, it is kind of the point. I mean Oxford street in Sydney has now become so over run with straight people that they now have gay drop in centers on the weekends where gay people can feel ‘safe.’ Maybe that is where we can work on ‘assimilating’

I moved to Canberra because people seemed friendlier and more open minded.. Obviously that does not include some of the people posting in this thread… (I don’t aim that at everyone of course).

Danman said :

I have friends who are Germans Croats Scots Irish Greek Italians and Homosexual.

They have all assimilated well, but there are still individuals in any minority community that cry poor me and demand their own special clubs with exclusive membership.

To the outsider i.e. me and you, they are disciminating against us, most people can cop that on the chin, but to your local redneck yobbo, they are just going to target these venues and communities weather cultural or gender preferential of nature and act in an anti social manner.

That is how these clubs perpetuate discrimination.

For lack of better or safer venues, the GLBTS community does not have many options, and it is society as a whole (Including the GLBTS community) that has to make radical changes to help them assimilate.

Granted though there will always be bad apples, that and the GLBTS community have to work with us ot help them.

Comes down to the fact that you can lead a horse to water but…

If you can not accept my opinion without further disgress then so be it.

I am neither right or wrong, as neither are you right or wrong, we just have differing opinions..

I am gay and I am human…. I fail to see where the term ‘assimilate’ is relevant to me??
But you know, thanks for showing such genuine concern for my ‘community’

BigDave said :

I can never understand why they come up with these stupid names for gay bars anyway.

“Fudge”

bigdave are you really small…. you know which is why you call yourself ‘bigdave’ to try and live the dream in internet-land? just wondering.

The Back Nine, The paddington end ?

A putt from the rough ?

I can never understand why they come up with these stupid names for gay bars anyway. Why “Hush”? Are they trying to keep their sexuality a big secret? Or hoping nobody will tell anyone else about it?
Why not have traditional names in the old pub style, such as The Lifted Shirt or The Uphill Gardener perhaps?

Whats wrong with gay clubs? If you cant pick up chics in this shitty town just go there and turn down all the guys, it makes you feel attractive/pick-up-able even if your straight.

I think we should have white, Aryan, christian only nations.

ohh that was tried

WMC – as long as they don’t use the curtains to clean themselves up afterwards, Im fine with that 😛

Woody Mann-Caruso8:30 pm 09 Oct 08

It’s like I never left Queensland. That, and I went back in time to 1956.

I’m sure if any of you are feeling discriminated against you can find a nice, well-dressed young man in most places who’ll be happy to buy you a drink, have a dance, engage in sparkling conversation and then give you a good bumming so you don’t feel left out. Maybe they’ll even install new curtains in your panel van before they leave.

Tylersmayhem, this thing really seems to bother you.

Try taking a deep breath and counting to ten.

Then try to appreciate that the existence of gay bars, just like the existence of the Harmonie German Club, the Austrian Australian Club, the Polish Club, etc, might have something to do with the fact that people who identify as being part of a group like to socialise with other members of that group. It doesn’t mean they don’t want to be members of society at large. It’s not a personal vendetta against you. The gays, Germans, Austrians and Poles will still be your friend. But sometime they might like to meet othe people who are like them.

I wouldn’t let it bother you. Honestly. Find a new topic to fret about.

Plenty of places pick and choose who can enter based on their appearances and no one kicks up a stink about that. Hell, even the Tradies won’t let me in if I’m wearing my old Cannibal Corpse t-shirt or a crop top.

Chill out peeps, if gays and lesbians want to have their own place then what does it matter to you? If a club doesn’t appeal or cater to people of your ilk then you probably wouldn’t like it anyway.

Good luck Hush, this town needs you.

Thanks toriness, grateful for your thoughts. I was wondering if the venue is being well patronised. Unfortunately out of the 58 posts above, yours was the only one who had been there.

unbeliever – note my comment #11 – i can’t speak for anyone else here though

> AndryHenry – “Not really sure why you’re talking religion here”.

You’re right, a group of buses getting together to start a ‘Bus Group’ is a far more acceptable analogy (not aimed at you tastyjam – thought it was great!).

I’m just saying that ‘groups’ of any kind are meant to be exclusive. I didn’t want to go down the ethnic club road so I picked the group/s I consistently and equally can’t stand – religion.

So…anyway.. how many here have been to Hush and what do they think of the venue?

Or maybe we could have a free society where bar owners can choose to appeal to any clientelle they desire?

tylersmayhem2:23 pm 09 Oct 08

Actually – I’ve had a change of heart…I think it’s a brilliant idea.

I also think we should have black only bars, white only bars, Jewish only bars, mens only bars, Asian only bars, footballer only bars (that one actually I REALLY do like the idea of), bi only bars and over 50’s only bars.

tylersmayhem2:19 pm 09 Oct 08

“We just want to be accepted”! That’s right, just go and open your “own” bar then. Nice one – and great logic!

Oh, but it does occaisonally have lesbian nights which means, no, men aren’t invited in at all… I also know of a couple of Melbourne bars that have similar policies in reverse – men only…

I suspect that’s largely due to the venue defining itself as a pick-up joint, though, for those periods… I suppose it is gender discrimination, but the purpose of having a sexuality other than bisexuality is that you do gender discriminate in terms of who you’re going to pick up on!

true, hence why gay bars will probably always have a reason to exist as well.

Or clubs could up their risk analysis/door policy of known or possible troublemakers.

Yep, I’m a gay bloke and have always had to pay a hideous cover charge whenever I’ve chosen to go to cube (which … ain’t that often because of the hideous cover charge, and because I’m daggy enough that I preferred the music when it was the Liquid Lounge…)

besides the bloody obvious, gay bar or not, there will always be people who will hate the gay bi lesbian and transexual community.

true, hence why gay bars will probably always have a reason to exist as well.

Angry Henry point taken, I tend to agree with you , but I find that remembering cultural heritage or where you come from and your identity as a person is important – but there will always be people who will hate a minority for having their community.

Thats the reason behind my thoughts.

besides the bloody obvious, gay bar or not, there will always be people who will hate the gay bi lesbian and transexual community.

Hetero males in Cube is fine Davo. Hetero males acting like bloody idiots, not fine.

In all the times I have been to cube Davo I have never seen this occur.
I would suggest that if it has occured, it is definitly not a regular practice or policy.

tickboom said :

I’m not aware of any gay clubs that would exclude straight friends as you have suggested, or make straight people pay. Both policies appear ridiculous and unenforceable anyway.

Name and shame – Cube.

1, Discrimination is a part of nature and not necessarily a bad thing. As a society we generally reject certain types of discrimination (such as racism). As a society we tend to use the word discrimination only when we are talking about the types of discrimination that are generally rejected. We do this because we are idiots.

2, If you take Danman’s point to its logical conclusion, no business could cater to a market and we would all have to be exactly the same in every single way. Sounds pretty shit to me.

….you can lead a horse to water but……you can’t make it enjoy the view?

Thanks for the clarification Danman.

I just kind of needed that after you made your point about buses and concluded it with ‘next’ – as if you have all the answers and have to deal them out to all of us uneducated people one by one.

You see I think arrogance perpetuates discrimination and the fact that one individual thinks there better than another group of individuals. We’re all the same species under the sun man.

Those clubs aren’t discriminating against you and me mate, they’re celebrating and commemorating where these people come from.

I don’t even think a redneck yobbo thinks that much about wether or not they’re being discriminated against for not being allowed to be part of the ‘club’ or group or whatever, I think they can’t see past the fact that they’re ‘poofters’.

Assimilating into a new society doesn’t mean forgetting where you came from and saying you’re exclusively part of the culture you’re living in here and now. It’s about bringing new things from your past to the table for others to learn from.

Yep there are bad apples, allowing them to affect you empowers them. There are bad apples in every single community.

You don’t need to go on with the whole ‘if you can’t accept my opinions – blah, blah, blah’ this place is all about debate. If I can’t accept them of course I’m going to comment. Isn’t that the whole point of this little community?

I have friends who are Germans Croats Scots Irish Greek Italians and Homosexual.

They have all assimilated well, but there are still individuals in any minority community that cry poor me and demand their own special clubs with exclusive membership.

To the outsider i.e. me and you, they are disciminating against us, most people can cop that on the chin, but to your local redneck yobbo, they are just going to target these venues and communities weather cultural or gender preferential of nature and act in an anti social manner.

That is how these clubs perpetuate discrimination.

For lack of better or safer venues, the GLBTS community does not have many options, and it is society as a whole (Including the GLBTS community) that has to make radical changes to help them assimilate.

Granted though there will always be bad apples, that and the GLBTS community have to work with us ot help them.

Comes down to the fact that you can lead a horse to water but…

If you can not accept my opinion without further disgress then so be it.

I am neither right or wrong, as neither are you right or wrong, we just have differing opinions..

Sands said :

Having different religions promotes discrimination. Eg Greek Orthodox. At least you can join a multicultural club even if you’re not of that extract. I don’t think you can be a Greek Orthodox if you’re not Greek. Would be weird anyway.

And I am sure if gay clubs did membership drives then, if you really wanted to, you could join if you weren’t of that extract too.

Not really sure why you’re talking religion here.

Having different religions promotes discrimination. Eg Greek Orthodox. At least you can join a multicultural club even if you’re not of that extract. I don’t think you can be a Greek Orthodox if you’re not Greek. Would be weird anyway.

Danman said :

err no…. Busses do not seek assimilation into the community on one hand, and then make bus clubs on the other.

Next.

No but Germans, Croats, Scots, The Irish, the Greeks, Italians and many other groups do!!!

So how does it perpetuate discrimination again?

I think it’s a case of reverse assumptions – in most locations, the default assumption is that everyone’s straight… in a gay bar, the assumption is exactly the reverse.

Then again… a lot of it seems to be based on the assumption that if you walk into your standard, run-of-the-mill pub with a same sex partner and display run-of-the-mill public displays of affection like kissing, hugging and dancing together, you will be made to feel uncomfortable. And … well, having wandered around Civic with a male parnter over Xmas last year, and having held hands lots and occasionally pecked, I didn’t really notice any disapproving looks or anybody making me feel uncomfortable. It may have been I was otherwise preoccupied by finding my partner gorgeous, of course…

tastyjam said :

You must obey the dance commander

You lept for Electric six, and went for Dance Commander, but failed to notice Gay Bar?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3319967978568410735

But buying drinks in them almost always costs a fortune, because half the people there are too busy on drugs to drink anything other than tapwater, so the price per unit has come up to cover the operating cost.

Sure they do. Occasionally busses merge into our lanes and we acknowledge their presence (assimilation), and when appropriate they move into a bus lane (making clubs on the side). It’s easier for everyone to have bus lanes, just as it’s easier to have gay clubs.

err no…. Busses do not seek assimilation into the community on one hand, and then make bus clubs on the other.

Next.

Danman said :

I think making gay bars only perpetuates discimination

That’s a lot like saying bus lanes discriminate against buses.

I think making gay bars only perpetuates discimination

Yes it is, actually, i have gay friends (i’m not gay myself) and occasionally i go to the gay bar with them. I’m cool with the whole scene, i don’t judge, and if i felt uncomfortable i would leave. So just explain why an accepting person such as myself (who doesn’t want to start arguments/fights/conflict) shouldn’t be allowed into the club? (or get charged cover over gay men).

I’m not aware of any gay clubs that would exclude straight friends as you have suggested, or make straight people pay. Both policies appear ridiculous and unenforceable anyway.

So no, I won’t explain it.

But I’m so glad you’re “cool with the whole scene”.

You must obey the dance commander
Givin’ out the order for fun
You must obey the dance commander
You know that he’s the only one
Who gives the orders here,
Alright
Who gives the orders here,
Alright

ant said :

erm, obscure mid 90s Euro dance pop is excellent!

I should have seen that one coming, sorry!

erm, obscure mid 90s Euro dance pop is excellent!

I love lesbians. Especially the better looking ones.

ant said :

Gay bars are good, because the music is usually excellent.

And in those instances where it’s not excellent, or even middling to passable, it can be truly bad. At least that’s what I found when I accompanied some friends to the old Meridian Bar. The dj played a ghastly mix of obscure mid 90s Euro dance pop.

I am sure Hush will be better in this regard.

Just don’t bend over anywhere near them.

Gay bars are good, because the music is usually excellent.

Will there be any one-armed bandits?

Wide Boy Jake said :

Is it really that confusing? A gay bar is a place gay men and women can go and feel comfortable, knowing they will not be harrassed for being openly gay.

Yes it is, actually, i have gay friends (i’m not gay myself) and occasionally i go to the gay bar with them. I’m cool with the whole scene, i don’t judge, and if i felt uncomfortable i would leave. So just explain why an accepting person such as myself (who doesn’t want to start arguments/fights/conflict) shouldn’t be allowed into the club? (or get charged cover over gay men).

I belive Hush Bar is next to Bellucis, Phillip, in that building normally housed by failing restaurants……the last failing restaurant there being Montezumas.

My mum saw it and wants to meet the family there for a drink after work one day. Now I can tell her it’s in fact a ‘themed’ bar – will let you know if she works out what the theme is without me spoiling the surprise!

peterh said :

rosie_bubz said :

alot of straight people, particularly girls that i know hang out at cube on friday saturady night, because they dont get harrased ike they would at other clubs

thus far…

uh oh, i let the secret out haha

New gay bar eh….

Hmmmm (Deep in thought….)

Cube has waaaay too many squealing girls on hens nights in it. “ooh ooh we’re in a gay bar *squeal*”

*ahem*

rosie_bubz said :

alot of straight people, particularly girls that i know hang out at cube on friday saturady night, because they dont get harrased ike they would at other clubs

thus far…

alot of straight people, particularly girls that i know hang out at cube on friday saturady night, because they dont get harrased ike they would at other clubs

Wide Boy Jake5:19 pm 08 Oct 08

rosebud said :

I’ve been told ‘The Cube’ is faux gay. Metrosexuals reign supreme and REAL gay people avoid it.

In my view *everybody* should avoid it.

I’ve been told ‘The Cube’ is faux gay. Metrosexuals reign supreme and REAL gay people avoid it.

Wide Boy Jake5:12 pm 08 Oct 08

tickboom said :

I’m still trying to work out the whole “gay bar” thing. If I walk past, and it looks like a nice place to have a drink, am I allowed in if I am not gay? If the answer is yes, then how is it a “gay bar”. How come “non-gay bars” are not called “hetro bars”?

Is it really that confusing? A gay bar is a place gay men and women can go and feel comfortable, knowing they will not be harrassed for being openly gay.

You might think gay men and women should be entitled to do that in “hetero” bars, just as straight men and women should be entitled to in a gay bar, and good on you for being so progressive if that’s the source of your apparent confusion. But the fact is much of society is not that accepting: there is still a need for “gay friendly” venues (quite apart from the obvious need of making it easier to hook up!).

This brings to mind an entry in a guide to gay Australia published several years ago. Under Broken Hill the entry read : “There are no gay bars in Broken Hill, but then again there are no exclusively straight ones either.”

I’m still trying to work out the whole “gay bar” thing. If I walk past, and it looks like a nice place to have a drink, am I allowed in if I am not gay? If the answer is yes, then how is it a “gay bar”. How come “non-gay bars” are not called “hetro bars”?

Is it really that confusing? A gay bar is a place gay men and women can go and feel comfortable, knowing they will not be harrassed for being openly gay.

You might think gay men and women should be entitled to do that in “hetero” bars, just as straight men and women should be entitled to in a gay bar, and good on you for being so progressive if that’s the source of your apparent confusion. But the fact is much of society is not that accepting: there is still a need for “gay friendly” venues (quite apart from the obvious need of making it easier to hook up!).

i went to hush on its unofficial opening night, it is a really cool space with really nice indoor area with greaty decor and lots of seating as well as a beer garden, and reasonable drinks prices. recommended.

yeah but only one of those possible charges is likely to be successful.

Loquaciousness4:06 pm 08 Oct 08

I would love my trainer to pinch my bum, as long as i could pinch hers.

Except the latter is called sexual assault 😉

Either could be sexual assault, if the person on the receiving end is offended.

L

Oh, hello! Excuse me there! Say, I’ve been wondering … would you mind if I pinched your bottom? Yes, that’s right … your bottom. Have you never heard of a bottom?

*chortle* oops! *hacking cough*

> Except the latter is called sexual assault 😉

I think either is, without permission…neither is with.

justbands said :

Meh…my trainer pinches my bum all the time. We’re both straight….at least I think he is, hmmmmm. As far as bars go..I like to think of “gay” as “happy”, they always seem to be fun places.

and now the doubt sets in…

I would love my trainer to pinch my bum, as long as i could pinch hers…

Meh…my trainer pinches my bum all the time. We’re both straight….at least I think he is, hmmmmm. As far as bars go..I like to think of “gay” as “happy”, they always seem to be fun places.

As a bloke I always thought it meant you weren’t allowed to get upset if another bloke pinched your bum.

If you’re going to get upset by that, don’t go in.

Hmm, good question. Maybe if you’re gay and you go in and see a cute guy you would think that he’s gay too. Instead of being in a hetero bar and not being sure if he was straight or gay. But then, that’s not guaranteed if straight people are allowed in – and go.

tylersmayhem3:27 pm 08 Oct 08

I’m still trying to work out the whole “gay bar” thing. If I walk past, and it looks like a nice place to have a drink, am I allowed in if I am not gay? If the answer is yes, then how is it a “gay bar”. How come “non-gay bars” are not called “hetro bars”?

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