Remembering the good times… GoodGod Small Club parties for the final time in Sydney

Tonight, the GoodGod Small Club will be opening its doors for one final party that is sure to leave many Sydneysiders feeling bittersweet and hungover the next morning. The venue itself has seen some amazing local and visiting talent on its stage in its history and has grown into one of the most popular clubs in the city. While the venue itself is not shutting down, the GoodGod crew are handing the reigns over to a new group of party starters to carry the torch under the name of the Plan B Small Club.

Still, we’re sad to see the curtain fall on GoodGod and we’ve asked some of our Sydney crew what moments stick out about the Haymarket venue for them ahead of the final party tonight…

“So many great memories of GoodGod over the years, but my favourite one was this year. HTRK playing to a packed room (full of smoke) and I was at the back bar. Through the smoke walked Mick Harvey, he ordered a drink, nodded at me and then disappeared back into the fog. I was speechless!” – Dan Turner

Owl Eyes at GoodGod by Bruce Baker
Owl Eyes at GoodGod by Bruce Baker

“Pretty sure the Country and Inner Western nights started at GoodGod – with amazing acts including The Morrisons and Emma Swift bringing the awesome Americana/alt country vibes into the inner city – it became a great hub for the vibrant country music on offer.” – Lucy Inglis

“Caught DMAs at their second ever show and they lived up to the hype. GoodGod was packed to the rafters with friends and fans. I’m sure many of us knew only one of their songs but ended up screaming out the choruses even if we weren’t sure what the words were. Live music at its best.” – Andrew Campbell

Courtney Barnett performing at GoodGod in 2014 by Sabina Rysnik
Courtney Barnett performing at GoodGod in 2014 by Sabina Rysnik

“From the days GoodGod opened out the back of that restaurant that is now nothing but a distant memory, the venue – amidst its dim lighting and low ceilings – has created one of Sydney’s most loved vibes. It brought the energy of a venue from a cultural hub like New York and threw it into the centre of the city in a way few have achieved in Sydney. The sound was rarely perfect and the line of sight a tricky one, but all the same it delivered some of the best shows I’ve experienced over the last few years. A testament to the bookers, to the bands who played and to the good spirits of those in the room (and served at the bar). It was the place Lorde first played, the room I discovered All Our Exes Live in Texas, there was that time Little Dragon blew the roof off the venue… Too many bands and moments to mention. But it’s the atmosphere that made GoodGod one of Sydney’s best venues. It may live on under a different name, but it will be sorely missed…” – Larry Heath

“GoodGod Small Club has always taken care of the hungry who want to spend their full night in the rave cave. They started out with The Dip, Levin’s take on classic American BBQ, nailing the emerging trend with juicy meats and what not. Jonkanoo followed with their second outlet after their Surry Hills staple, dishing out rustic Jamaican food, but they couldn’t quite fit into the small kitchen. This made way current (and hopefully permanent) resident Belly Bao, with smooth steamed baos filled with all types of deliciousness from crispy, sticky fried chicken to super soft pork belly. The Asian kitchen has quickly become a favourite of the area and has maintained Good God’s on-point food offerings. You don’t often find live music spots with stand-out eats, so the commitment to good food has most definitely been an integral part of why GoodGod was almost instantly elevated to glory as soon as it opened in Sydney.” – Chris Singh

The final GoodGod Small Club party kicks off tonight, with doors opening from 9pm. Tickets will be available on the door, while Jimmy Sing, Mike Who, Future Classic DJs, Ariane, Champain Lyf, Spruce Lee, Bevan Lee and Batesy are going to be on hand to ensure this is going to be one for the books!

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