Club 77: Owner defends new Safe Space rules after public uproar

The owner of one of Sydney’s hottest nightclubs refuses to cop criticism over new rules designed to keep their patrons safe.

When Club 77 released its Safe Spaces policy earlier this month, owner Dane Gorrel had no idea it would get so much media attention.

The club, which opens seven days a week until 4am, launched the policy with clear harassment guidelines.

However, one sentence contained in the policy ignited a heated debate.

“As a nightclub, we encourage you to interact with strangers, however any engagement MUST begin with verbal consent,” reads the policy posted to their social media and website on August 4.

“If the attention you are giving someone is unwanted, that is considered harassment.

“This also applies if you are, for example, staring at someone from afar.”

Some of the club’s 12.4k Instagram followers took to the comments section to share their reactions to the new rule.

While some thought the policy was brilliant, others though it was strange and might be used to unfairly discriminate against patrons.

“So a woman can complain, and get anyone she likes kicked out and police called coz he apparently “looked at her”?” one user wrote.

Another had mixed opinions about the rule, saying a “stare” is often the first step in a potential flirtation but understand it can be seen as “creepy” if it’s unwanted.

“A lot of people have met their husbands through a long lingering stare,” the user commented.

“But I guess it can be creepy from someone you’re not interested in.”

Mr Gorrel has clarified that patrons are not going to be thrown out of the club simply for looking at another patron.

“It will be brought to the attention of security and a conversation will entail,” Mr Gorrel told NCA NewsWire.

“Our goal is to educate people about safety and how to act responsibly

“We are dealing with an unprecedented amount of young people, people who have never gone out before.”

“Anyone that comes into our venue has a right to feel safe the entire time they are in the venue.”

Club 77 will have a designated safety officer each night charged with wearing a hi-vis pink vest who are specially trained to handle complaints.

Patrons being harassed by another person or receiving unwanted attention should seek out the safety officer or tell a member of staff immediately.

The person may face being removed from the venue and in some cases police will be called.

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