A popular nightclub has fired back at backlash over its decision to host and promote an Anzac Day dance night.
La Di Da has joined forces with another Melbourne CBD venue, Club W, to host a ‘special event’ this Saturday night from 10.30pm and continuing into the early hours.
A flyer posted online promises top DJs, MCs and dancers, with tickets starting from $19.99.
‘Bigger Venue. Bigger Crowd. One Night Only,’ the flyer states.
Licensed venues in Victoria are permitted to trade on Anzac Day but cannot sell alcohol between 3am and midday unless they have a specific approved exemption, such as an authorised RSL event.
The nightclub event divided Aussies after 3AW broadcaster Tom Elliott questioned whether April 25 was the right occasion for it.
‘I don’t think a night at a nightclub and Anzac Day go very well together,’ he told listeners on Wednesday.
‘Anzac Day is a day of commemoration.
Millions of Aussies will commemorate Anzac Day this Saturday
Melbourne nightclub La Di Da has joined forces with Club W to host a ‘special event’ this Saturday night, sparking a heated debate
‘It is a day to remember our war dead and to honour who made the ultimate sacrifice in war.
‘It’s not a day to dance the night away at a nightclub.
‘Having said that, we have a football match on Anzac Day, so maybe the rules have changed.’
The AFL fixture between Essendon and Collingwood at the MCG has been an Anzac Day tradition for more than three decades.
Anzac Day is a day of remembrance observed in Australia and New Zealand, commemorating the anniversary of their military involvement in the Gallipoli campaign during World War I.
The day has since been expanded to honour all Australian and New Zealand military veterans who served in conflicts.
La Di Da has been inundated with abusive calls since the segment and issued an angry response when contacted by Daily Mail.
‘Every venue in Melbourne is permitted to trade on a Saturday night,’ a spokesman said.
Nightclub La Di Da (pictured) angrily hit back at backlash over its advertised event
‘Why single out our venue when every venue in Victoria is legally permitted to trade?
‘It’s ok for the AFL to host matches and sell liquor but it’s not ok for a small business?
‘Every venue is open, it’s legal.’
The event sparked a divided reaction online.
‘As the VP of an RSA ‘RSL’ in New Zealand, I’m 100 per cent behind Tom (Elliott) on this issue,’ one wrote.
‘Anzac Day is a day to remember those who served both our countries in global conflict of war.
‘Never have so many owed so much to those brave men and women of our armed services.’
Another added: ‘Disrespectful.’
A third wrote: ‘When the world is ‘at war’, we need a reminder of the consequences – human life.’
Not everyone agreed with 3AW broadcaster Tom Elliott’s concerns about the event
But many others didn’t see an issue.
‘After a hard day marching, they will need a cold beer. Getting a bit precious I’m thinking,’ one commented.
Another added: ‘Nightclubs have been running Anzac Day events for as long as I can remember. This isn’t a new thing.’
A third wrote: ‘Does it matter what you do if you are at least acknowledging the day?’
Daily Mail contacted RSL Victoria and Club W for comment.
It comes after a nightclub in Far North Queensland copped online outrage for holding an X-rated event featuring explicit content on Anzac Day.
Townsville-based FLNDRS Bar & Nightclub encourages guests to dress up in sexy attire, offering R-rated gifts to the first 50 patrons through the door.
It doubled down by offering Australian Defence Force members free entry and VIP perks if they attend this Saturday night.
