Owners of downtown Auckland nightclub Impala have announced that the longtime favourite will be closing its doors for good in 2022 due to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and its restrictions.
The club was named as Nightlife Venue of the Year at our annual awards, The Georgies, on several occasions and has played host to some of dance music's biggest names from Alison Wonderland to Skrillex to Purple Disco Machine.
Luxembourg-based drum & bass DJ Millbrook joined George Breakfast this morning to reminisce on his set at Impala in 2021, the final leg of his New Zealand tour.
Club owner Daniel Farley shared a statement on social media announcing the decision.
'With the news of the government taking us into Red for the foreseeable future, no clear roadmap or timeline, and absolutely zero support for the hospitality sector, it hurts our hearts to say it but we have no option but to start to wind down Impala as we know it in its current format and under its current directorship. 😞
'When we started this dream and journey back in 2016, there was a scene desperately yearning for a proper nightclub space in the downtown CBD. Impala AKA Code was where I spent every weekend of my teens and early twenties, first and foremost as a punter and then later having the privilege of being a resident DJ.
'It gave birth to my passion for real clubbing whether I was behind the booth, on the dancefloor, or yarning to a random til 7AM underneath those filthy red curtains.
'When the opportunity arose to take the reigns of the space I had a vision for the place to try my best to emulate that vibe as well as I could a decade later. Together with an amazing team who were truly the lifeblood and heart and soul of the space, I hope we served that vision justice to some of the many thousand patrons that came down and paid service with their dancing feet over the years.'
Farley also announced that a select few private events would be held before the doors finally close so keep your eyes peeled for those if you're keen on one last hurrah.
Until then, thanks for the memories Impala ❤️
