Petticoat Lane, the landmark Central nightspot, will be Memory Lane by the end of this year.
The ninety-seven group confirms that its four venues along Tun Wo Lane - the Pavillion, Louis XIV Marquee, El Pomposo and Petticoat Lane itself - will be history by the end of the year. Jamie Higgins, general manager of the ninety-seven group, says: 'The landlord is refusing to renew the lease. They want to knock everything down and build an office high-rise.
'It's very sad - we don't think that we will be able to recreate all four venues with the same atmosphere. We are looking for somewhere to move Spanish tapas restaurant El Pomposo. But we will go out with a bang. We have loads of parties planned already.'
Tonight will be the first of a string of bashes - guests are invited to dress up as anything that starts with the letter P, from pirate, pimp, priest, punk or princess to porn star. DJ Steve Bruce will be in charge of the beats, while makeup artist Emma de Teliga and photographer Andrew Loiterton will work to document the beginning of the end for a piece of nightlife history.
The party starts at 8.30pm, with a $100 cover charge for those in fancy dress and $150 for others. The price includes two drinks.
