Maali

From a new live music custodianship of The Lansdowne to a fresh 4am license for Club 77, Sydney's nightlife has had a neat string of wins this month. The latest is a new era for Candy's Apartment, with the iconic Kings Cross nightspot officially reopening as "Maali" this Friday 20 May. 

Loved for its live music and late-night DJs—the cavernous basement that once was Candy's is now a Moroccon-inspired nightclub, led by the same crew that recently opened Eros across the street. 

"I wanted to create a safe place for people to experience the excitement of nightlife the way I remember it," says owner Ussi Moniz Da Silva. "I hope Maali can bring back some life to the Cross and get people out and having fun again.”

At Maali, the venue's brick walls and archways have been painted soda orange, and new sunken lounges, a VIP room, and private curtained-off areas line the walls.

The venue's inspiration is "Arabian Nights", and belly dancers, snake charmers, and tarot readers join resident and special guest DJs on the entertainment lineup. The dancefloor has also been jazzed up with a new state-of-the-art light and sound system. 

Head in when the doors open at 8pm to experience the Marakeesh happy hour, which runs for two hours and includes $12 Patròn watermelon Margaritas and $12 Bombay Sapphire cin cocktails.

Image credit: Maali