The Vic in Sydney‘s Marrickville is an inner west institution. The friendly atmosphere and lack of pretentiousness makes it a community watering hole rarely seen within a major city. Any pub that does a decent schnitty and is also dog friendly is generally good in our books, but Vic on the Park has that extra something.
It was announced yesterday that the Marrickville mainstay is being bought by Merivale, the Justin Hemmes-led hospitality group that also owns the Ivy, Coogee Pavilion, The Newport and a host of other bars and restaurants. Most recently, it picked up the Collaroy in Sydney‘s northern beaches for a cool $21 million.
The move has been met by dismay from fans of the Vic, who feel like Hemmes method of sprucing up old places perhaps goes too far, at the expense of the venue’s character.
Over 1,000 people are now attending ‘The Vic’s Funeral‘, a Facebook event that popped up soon after news of the sale broke. Another 3,000 people are interested, and that’s in less than 24 hours.
The event, which is not endorsed by the pub itself, is encouraging everyone to give the pub a proper send-off before the keys are handed over on November 13.
“There is an insidious virus infecting pubs in the IW. Another beloved local, The Vic, announced today that they have sold to Merivale,” the event’s creator, Laura Stevenson, wrote.
“Before the dark money clouds descend on our Vic on the Park, come down on Sunday November 12, and share a final beer with the Vic that you love. Before the keys get handed over to Merivale the following day.
“Say a goodbye to the TAB, because surely that won’t last. Have a final VB before the taps are replaced with James Squire. Say hi to a stranger and be greeted with a smile, before her usual seat is taken by a man in loafers who is saving it for a mate.
“For so many years, the Vic has been a place where you are guaranteed to have a good time, from the early afternoon to the late evening. This is our last chance to celebrate our favourite pub with a bit of joy, great memories, plenty of booze and a spot of half-court basketball.
“This might be a sad day, but let’s give the Vic the send-off (funeral) it deserves.”
Hundreds of people are commenting their dismay at the sale.
“What a fucking shame!” wrote one person. “Was the best pub in the inner west.”
“Hello $12 schooners and $30 burgers, goodbye live music and awesome local vibe of the inner west,” wrote another.
“I will be dressed head to toe in black having a Resches in front of the self-service TAB machines paying my respects,” said a third. “Join me.”
The ‘funeral’ is taking place on Sunday November 12, if you want to get amongst it. Merivale has stated that it has no plans to refurb the venue, and will mostly be focusing on the pub’s food offerings, but its intentions further than that remain unclear. For now, it’ll continue running as normal.
