University of Sydney’s Manning Bar will cease trading during daytime hours when students return this month.
As the Sydney Morning Herald reports, student attendance at the venue, which is independently owned and run by the University of Sydney Union (USU), has regularly dwindled over the years. The student union recorded a combined loss of $245,000 between Manning and fellow campus bar Hermann’s in 2018.
“Far from the hub it once was, these days Manning hardly approaches capacity for even its most popular events,” reads an article in Sydney Uni newspaper Honi Soit.
“Lunchtimes aren’t nearly as packed as they used to be, and party organisers scramble to attract students.”
Although it will cease day trading, the Manning Bar will still open for live music and other entertainment events, and be bookable during the day to campus clubs. The bar regularly hosts local and international acts, along with parties and club nights.
“Student demand for the Manning Bar dropped significantly last year, so we needed to reduce bar costs,” commented student union board president Connor Wherrett.
“As much as I would love all three of our bars to be thriving day and night, these circumstances made it a no-brainer to us to convert the use of Manning during the day.”
Through its annual Sydney Uni Band Comp, the Manning Bar has served as the launchpad for careers of well-loved Australian bands such as The Laurels, The Jezabels and Cloud Control.
