<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Stonewall Hotel, an iconic gay bar that has stood for 28 years on </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/sydney" rel="" target="_blank" title="Sydney"><span>Sydney</span></a><span>'s Oxford Street, has gone under. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Vanguard Insolvency was appointed as administrators to take control of their financial situation on Friday.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In a statement to patrons this morning, hotel owner Craig Bell said it was a "sad and difficult" decision to enter administration.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-digital-certificates-now-available-but-only-for-young-people/c9965c29-0cce-4647-be1f-44812e623f58" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Digital birth certificates now available in one Aussie state</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Stonewall began its journey 28 years ago, transforming an empty bank into something truly special," he said in a statement posted on social media. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The journey has taken us from venues with blacked-out windows, where people inside remained unseen by pedestrians.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have celebrated the victory of equal marriage rights and the transformation of venues that now open themselves fully to the street, reflecting greater openness and acceptance."</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/stonewall-hotel-iconic-sydney-bar-goes-under-after-28-years-as-administrators-appointed/46a7bb34-4a1e-4792-b69c-48d946313086" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Bell said their story is "far from over".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Stonewall Hotel opened at a new venue on King Street, Newtown, just last week to serve as a creative space for drag, cabaret, live music and queer performances. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The party will continue as we embrace our new home in Newtown, carrying forward the spirit and community that has defined us for so long," Bell said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Stonewall patrons were equally as saddened by the news, saying it was "devastating" to see an iconic and historic venue shut. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I'm honestly lost for words," one said on social media. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/atlassian-accused-of-illegally-firing-employee-who-suggested-boss-was-rich-jerk-usa-court/72f6fed5-7eb0-4ad2-988f-865499c39de6" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Atlassian accused of illegally firing worker who called boss a 'rich jerk'</span></strong></a><strong></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"So many memories there. So much history. Sad times. I feel like the new venue will create its own history in time, but for now the hole left by the closure of the original will leave a scar on the city," another added. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Another place that will now only be a memory, so many afternoons that I stopped by on my way home from work for just the one drink and ended up staggering out the door near closing time," a third said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Stonewall Hotel was named after the 1969 Stonewall riots in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/new-york" rel="" target="_blank" title="New York"><span>New York</span></a><span>, which paved the way for the LGBTQI+ rights of today. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It has cemented itself as one of the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national" rel="" target="_blank" title="Australian "><span>Australian </span></a><span>hubs of the gay community and is known worldwide. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The venue has hosted national and international celebrities like Kylie Minogue, Anna Nicole Smith and Sam Smith, as well as local talent. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is a heritage-listed building with three levels and four bars. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"My sincere thanks go out to every one of you who contributed to our story," Bell said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>