UNHOLY PLAYHOUSE Is Sydney’s New Nightlife Venue Inside A 150-Year-Old Church

Three years after Pleasures Playhouse closed its doors, the cult Sydney arts project is preparing for its next act. This week, the team behind the beloved independent venue will officially announce Unholy Playhouse, a new pop-up concept that marks their first major project since Pleasures Playhouse farewelled audiences in 2023.

The creative arts space, bar and nightlife destination is popping up this time around in a 150-year-old deconsecrated church on Kent Street—led by Kat Dopper, the brains behind Heaps Gay and the original Playhouse concept.

"The church found me before the concept. Like the cinema, the minute I stepped inside, I knew it needed to be used by independent artists," Kat tells Urban List.

"It's past life was a theatre for 70 years, a homeless refuge for men, and a school for disadvantaged children. Dancefloors and underground arts scenes are in fact a place of worship—it was a no-brainer."

For many in Sydney's creative community, Pleasures Playhouse became one of the city's most cherished grassroots cultural spaces during its short but influential run. Operating out of a disused cinema, the project transformed the venue into a home for live music, performance, exhibitions, parties and community-led programming, quickly building a devoted following.

When the space closed in March 2023, organisers cited the need for significant restoration works, additional funding and ongoing approvals to keep the ageing building operating long term. Despite the closure, the team always maintained hopes that the project would eventually return in a new form. Finally, the time has come.

"Our lease is for 1 year with the potential to extend if Sydney loves it," says Kat.

"For now I want to make it accessible for as many artists as possible to make play and perform on the stage."

So what exactly is Unholy Playhouse bringing to the table? The idea is to reclaim and reinterpret the heritage-listed church—built in 1868 and the former home of the Genesian Theatre—as a multi-disciplineray creative space. There'll be live music, DJs and performances to karaoke backed by a gospel choir, a DJ school, showtune singalong nights on piano, a late sexy night cabaret, a Harry Potter cabarave, an art ball and even Australia’s first live exorcism. 

"I think in the arts and music scenes at the moment there's a real shift back towards community, house parties, and DIY culture, smaller, more intimate settings," Kat shares.

"As a producer, I feel like we always need more creative spaces for artists to connect with audiences, and for audiences to experience art outside of their everyday lives."

There'll be free entry on Wednesday's, a Thursday–Saturday happy hour, weekly Sunday Mess—a messy take on the Sunday ceremony, presented by Doom Juice. Across the walls, expect to see the designs of a curated selection of Sydney artists who've been handed the keys early on—Deborah Kelly, Nikita Majajas, Kim Leutwyler, Kee Kee James are just a few names in the mix.

In terms of the food and drink offering, they're keeping things hyper-local—making up for their lack of onsite kitchen.

"It's made total sense to partner with our friends in hospitality—we have wrangled independent producers from the Inner West to kick things off," Kat explains

"Ester is making our cocktails, Bloodwood BBQ on weekends, Doom Juice—the naughty wines, Grifter, queer-owned vodka Tomboy, and Compa Tequila RTDs."

"I see this space as sort of like a community centre for artists. A licensed one—right near Town Hall."

In terms of the parties, there'll be no shortage of big names jumping on the decks. Already announced are pop-ups from the likes of Fredas, Heaps Gay, Kerfew, Music NSW and AM//PM, plus over 140 artists, musicians and DJs lined up for future events. 

While we are certain there are more details to come, the announcement signals a new chapter for one of Sydney's most-loved independent arts projects—and welcome news for a city that continues to grapple with the loss of creative spaces.

Image credit: Unholy Playhouse | Supplied