Perth's legendary Connections Nightclub is preparing for its most significant celebration yet as the iconic LGBTQIA+ venue marks 50 years of operation this December. Known affectionately as 'Connies' to generations of Perth residents, the club has maintained its position as a pioneering force in inclusive nightlife culture since opening its doors on December 11, 1975.
From Underground Sanctuary to Community Icon
In the club's early days during the late 1970s and 1980s, photography inside Connections was strictly forbidden. This precaution reflected the reality of operating one of Australia's first openly gay venues at a time when homosexuality remained criminalised nationwide. Western Australia didn't decriminalise homosexuality until late 1989, meaning patrons risked their safety and reputations simply by visiting.
Current owner Tim Brown, who took over the venue in 1991 during the peak of the AIDS crisis, reflects on the club's remarkable resilience. "For any business to last for 50 years is quite amazing; in hospitality, it's more amazing. And for nightclubs, it's incredible," Brown told The Sunday Times.
He described taking on Connections when it was at a low point, with another nightclub having opened nearby and the community devastated by the AIDS crisis. "This club, both the people working here and the client base, had been gutted by that. I think that often gets forgotten again," Brown said.
The Spirit of Community Through Changing Times
What has remained constant throughout Connections' five-decade history is its commitment to creating a safe space where people can be their authentic selves. Venue manager Scott Telfer, who has been with Connections for 13 years, describes the venue's enduring appeal.
"Connections lets you indulge in that sort of feeling of fantasy and music and excitement in a place that you can be as fabulous or as introverted as you want, and people will accept you as you are," Telfer said.
He believes society has come a long way in terms of acceptance since he was a young queer person. "I think the world has moved on so much that we're now in a place where people want to be part of our community, and they see the inherent warmth and welcoming-ness of it."
Drag Productions and Dance Music Legacy
Connections has built its reputation not just as a safe space but as a venue offering top-tier entertainment. The club's drag productions have become legendary, with entertainment manager Barbie Q overseeing spectacular shows since 2010.
"I don't think there's anywhere that does production like we do," Barbie said. "We have massive scale production all the time with big casts, always fresh costuming, different genres of music, the whole way through. And there's always something for everybody."
Barbie, who started working at Connections in 1999 after winning a drag competition the previous year, has been rehearsing with her cast for more than three months to prepare for the 50th anniversary celebrations.
The club's musical legacy is equally impressive, with Brown noting that Connections is "tied into a legacy of dance music that began with disco." The venue's 20 rotating DJs, including Brown himself when he "gets put on the roster," work to curate wide-ranging playlists that span five decades of music.
Looking Toward the Future
As Connections prepares for its milestone birthday party on December 13, 2025, the venue's leadership remains focused on its core mission of providing a space for connection and celebration.
Brown hopes Connections will still be standing in another 50 years, particularly in a world where he believes we're "desperate for connection." He emphasises the primitive human need to "get together with a group of people, particularly your community and dancing or DJing."
The club's simple but powerful philosophy remains unchanged, summarised by three basic rules printed on the back of their cocktail menu: respect yourself, respect others, and don't break my shit.
As Barbie Q perfectly captures the venue's significance: "Connections is my home, and I think it has so much gravitational pull for other people." From its beginnings as a clandestine safe haven to its current status as a beloved Perth institution, Connections Nightclub continues to prove that inclusive spaces where people can dance, connect, and be themselves are not just valuable but essential.
