Dorothy finally surrenders, in a sign of modern times

Landmark Auckland gay bar Surrender Dorothy will pour its last chocolate martini tonight as it calls "bottoms up" for the final time.

Owner Robert Street, aka drag queen Onya Knees, is selling the frequently flamboyant and occasionally outrageous bar.

And when the Ponsonby Rd watering hole reopens next month it will be as a "neighbourhood bar".

Tonight's closing party brings to an end a 10-year love affair between the gay community and its favourite meeting place.

While there might be argument over Mr Street's claim that Surrender Dorothy is Auckland's oldest gay bar, there is little doubt that it has become the best known since it opened its doors a decade ago.

"It's a sad day for the gay community and a lot of people are shocked, wondering where they will go," said Mr Street.
"But with the Civil Union Bill passed, I tell them we can 'cub' all over the place now."

Ruby-red stilettos will be pulled from the ceiling, posters of Judy Garland torn from walls, and the entire cast of The Wizard of Oz in miniature doll form will step down from the shelf behind the bar.

Mr Street said it would be a sad time. But there were positives to be taken from the closure, which he saw as a sign of the times.

"The gay community cannot ask for inclusion and then segregate itself. The day we don't need separate gay bars is a day we all pray for, and I don't think it's too far away."

Mr Street bought Dot's, as it is affectionately known to regulars, in September 1999.

It had opened five years earlier and, ironically, Mr Street's decision was prompted to save the bar becoming a "heterosexual" nightspot.

This time there will be no reprieve. New owner Lyndsay Sorrell plans to reopen it as a "local bar for local people".

Ms Sorrell said she had always felt Dot's was good for Ponsonby, but now finds herself the one altering it.

She no longer wants it to be identified as a gay bar, but she doesn't want to alienate the gay community either.

It will definitely not be a "sports bar or a tourist haunt" but Ms Sorrell said she had more ideas about what she didn't want than what she did.

"The name will change, but all I know is it won't be called an item of food, a country, or a drink. It's a great space with lots of cherished memories and I wanted to save that for Ponsonby people."

Ms Sorrell, who will run the bar with partner Geoff Clarke, said she planned to open on to the street with tables for cafe-style drinking.

It was also "highly likely" that the ruby-red decor would go and there would be a total refit of the interior.

She aimed to serve some food, but would not be drawn on whether the famous chocolate martinis, margaritas and cosmopolitan cocktails would remain on offer.