Divine Playhouse, an LGBTQIA+ pop-up club located in a former church in Sydney's central business district, has been ordered to "cease carrying on offensive trade" or face eviction, leading to its closure just days after opening.

The venue, which occupies a church deconsecrated in 1932 and used as a theatre for the past 70 years, faced protests from up to 70 Christian and Catholic demonstrators on July 8, 2026. The protests targeted a planned event called "Sunday Mess — An Unholy Brunch Party: The Resurrection" scheduled for the weekend.

Religious groups, including The Prodigal Sons and Fit For The Kingdom, accused Divine Playhouse of using "blasphemous" imagery that "mocks religious faith" and called for the withdrawal of a $100,000 NSW government grant supporting the venue.

In response, Divine Playhouse stated that following "pre-emptive action taken by our landlord," they were forced to close the venue and cancel all events. The venue also reported that Meta had shut down its social media accounts along with some other LGBTQIA+ community accounts, including the events collective Heaps Gay, though some have since been reactivated.

NSW Police confirmed the protest on July 8, noting that a 21-year-old man was issued a move-on direction, which he complied with. Commenting on the nature of the venue's shows, a representative said, "Anyone who's lived in Sydney, I think, has seen a drag queen … I've certainly seen more risque things at Mardi Gras and probably walking down the street, at 10 o'clock on a Friday night."

Divine Playhouse expressed that causing offence was not their intention and that they had made changes in good faith prior to opening. They are currently exploring their legal options following the breach of lease notice.

The incident highlights tensions between artistic expression within LGBTQIA+ communities and religious groups in Sydney.

Sources