HEARTLANDS CLOSES ITS DOORS
The seemingly cursed Heartlands gay clubbing complex, which opened to much fanfare in August 2005, has this week again officially closed its doors in Johannesburg.
The news was confirmed by David, a representative from the Heartlands, who said that the complex suffered from a “lack of business”.
The news may not come as much of a surprise to regular club-goers who will have noticed that the venue was often far from full over the last few months. The Heartlands had recently closed one of its coffee-shops, Sugar Reef, leading to growing speculation about its financial well-being.
The Heartlands was launched with the promise of becoming “Joburg’s Soho”, and boasted four separate venues in Braamfontein, including two clubs. The area had previously hosted a number of successful gay venues, which had been shut down amid allegations of illegal drug activities by some of the owners.
The new Heartlands, which was given official city support, went on to host many of last year’s Joburg Pride celebrations, but thereafter seemed to falter in sustaining interested from the fickle gay clubbing public. It has been speculated that up to R5 million rand was spent in upgrading the complex.
While some cited the location as being of concern, David was unwilling to speculate on the reasons for the failure of the entertainment complex, although stating that the gay community “obviously didn’t support us”.
He added that the venue was up for sale. The Heartlands is owned by Platinum X Entertainment, which also owns the Adult World adult-store chain. Simply Blue, the independent gay club for “men of colour” next to the Heartlands will continue to operate as usual.
Self reflection. The reason Heartlands were not supported is because they did not take the time to understand their market. My opinion – they were in it for a quick buck.
Of course we’re fickle – choice abounds in every aspect of life these days. If they delivered on what we really wanted, and made each experience a quality experience, business would be booming…..I miss Therapy SOOO much – now THERE was a club that knew how to deliver a truly memorable experience ….every time
Truth be told!. Thank god it closed eventually! There is a flux from the gay community to not club as much as the in the days of Therapy. Ever since the city closed them down, it broke the speed and strength of the gay clubbing community.
i for one enjoy more house parties these days and you wont find me in a club!
I’m glad it closed!
Exclusivity. Yeah clubbing in JHB has for the larger part lost it’s appeal.. House party’s are also the order of the day here – probably because it’s more intimate and safer. I will still return to clubs on occasion but only really when something new or exclusive – then it’s done. I think everyone seeks that new, exciting and exclusive element… It’s a tough business I’m sure – We want them there – but only when it’s convenient for us – of course…
DUH!!!. Is it really THAT surprising that no-one supported them? 90% of the time the venue was advertised as a hetero-hangout and later on there was more straight trashy type of people all over the dancefloor than there are moffies in joburg. It’s not the venue that’s the problem, it’s the way it was marketed and managed. I think the owners should rethink their strategy… They obviously have not been in the business of gay entertainment for very long. Something has to be exclusively gay or it will not work!! It’s not rocket science…
I walked in there a few weeks ago and the place was overrun by drunks all over and the screaming at each other outside. Hanging around the little vood vendor stall thing. I can assure you, I DO NOT WANT TO CLUB THERE. Not if that’s the type of people it’s going to attract. Has anyone that set up the Heartlands ever had or planned on attaining any business management experience / qualifications. It was a miserable oversold failure from the launch evening till it’s demise…
Therapy. I left in 2001…so sad to hear it’s closed…I lurved spending my Saturday nights there!
RUDE C*NTS!!. I have never come across such rudeness and disrespect from staff as at that stupid DCM. Friends of mine have been barred entry because they were wearing the wrong type of takkies. And that while there were people inside wearing slip-slops, for god’s sake.
What goes around, comes around! I am CHEERING at the thought of that place closing down.
HIP HIP HOORAH!!. I live 4 minutes away from there, yet for the past year I’ve been gritting my teeth to rather go clubbing either on the East Rand or in Pretoria.
Why?
Because DCM was CRAP!!
Clubbing is not dead. DCM is! Three cheers for that one!!!
too bad so sad. the club had barely opened and we were all told it was up for sale…some commitment…..one would go there to discover they wernt opening the outside bar,so one had to die of the effing heat inside…….the outside was the best part…why would u not open!!!…the attitude of the bouncers was asstounding…u would think they were doing u a favour!!!the barmen would ignor one and serve all the bitches that came there…i thought it was meant to be a Gay club! If u were a woman and sixteen u were waved in to the club ahead of everyone!…..treat your guests like shit andthey dont come back!!!good luck to Ramps!!!!!
WE NEED A GAY VENUE. I too am glad it has closed but we do need a decent gay club in Jhb. Hopefully someone who knows the gay market will atke it over and run it as a gay club – no label free clubbing. Think that Bruce is to blame from the start…
MEN OF COLOUR”. how dare u. where do u get off? i’m referring 2 that stupid mambaonline reporter. simply blue is not a club of “MEN OF COLOUR”!
and just exactly what is MEN OF COLOUR?
if i didn’t know any better i’d say that was a racist comment. i have seen dozens of men @ that club,regardless of their colour. it pains my butt that there r still people who write the way u do…SIES!
Men of Colour. I can’t find fault with sabelo’s argument here – or with anyone else’s comments regarding the demise of Heartlands.
“Mambaonline Reporter” (cleary carefully remaining anonymous) – shoving a comment like that in inverted commas in the hopes of being able to attribute it as a quote from another source or pay-off line is just swak styl. In addition – to even go there with a comment like that in the face of the prejudices the gay community in most countries STILL faces is just plain insensitive.
Who cares what they spent on tarting up a shabby end of town? If you can’t read your market, and you can’t provide what they’re looking for, expect failure. Why support something that offers you nothing? Labelling the people you wanted support from as “fickle” is sour grapes. Be realistic – Heartland over-promised and under-delivered. I’m not a fan of Peter Cheales – but go get yourself a copy of “I used to be your customer”.
Face it – it’s failed. Instead of looking for someone to blame, try analysing the reasons for failure objectively – and avoid making the same mistakes next time.
Colour Blind. I am also a “man of colour” – just happen to be a light shade of white….
The anonymous mamba reporter is a racist biggot and is probably some neo nazi type wanker.
Live and let live.
Thank Goodness !!. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time Finally it came I mean really, how can u not be allowed to go into a club because u are wearing shorts? They were disgner short for gooness sake BUT we had to argue for a very long time with those stupid security guards until the manager intervened That was the last time I went in that hell I’m glad it closed down That’s what happens if u arrogant Cheers !!!!!!!!!!
Smee ‘gain!. Yes, the parties that ended abrubtly at 2AM and having police usher you out because they didn’t have the correct licenses made for a maaaaaarvelous partying experience! I’ve always wanted to have my party screwed up and having to drive to Pretoria at 2AM just because they didn’t keep their doors open…
By the way Anonymous, designer shorts or not… DUDE! You don’t go clubbing in shorts, this is not the Bahamas!
u had a gay venue. people go where people are. people go to ramps cause there are people there. ramps plays rubbish music and is just a horrible venue. now every1 bitches and moans that there is no gay venue but when there was an awesome one every1 had a reason not to go. pathetic.
gay venue?. Heartlands/DCM was not a gay venue. Most of their marketing was aimed at str8 people…
So long, sh1t hole!!. 1. You queue for 30min, pay a fortune and then the sht1t hole is empty.
2. And then you queue for another 30min if you just wanna take a piss.
3. You get ignored at the bar cos the barman is too busy trying to get to sniff some bitch’s snoek.
4. And then when you finally get to the dance floor you find yourself in a coked up pit of venom.
Ramps might be as common as hell, but at least they know how to treat their patrons with respect. And at least the boys there have some manners. (The first time I went there someone bumped me and then turned around and said sorry. I nearly DIED from shock!!)
So long sh1t hole!!! I’m dancing on your grave!!!
Yea. Shit hole! I agree.
Heartland. I left in 2001 , so don’t know it…but used to have great times in Therapy and Cmen and Champions in Braamfontein….sad!
Fail or Succeed. Treating gays like never ending fountains of the “Pink Rand” will never be accepted by the larger community or majority of gays – possibly only by the screaming queen diva’s who in actual fact are a minority and usually cannot afford even a toothbrush let alone support a club. The cold clinical arrogance from the bar-tenders & wait-ers/tresses combined with a blatant ‘give me your big bucks’ hustler style slit mouth smile is so reminiscent of what all the Gautengers (& probably most RSA citizens) have become used to in recent years from ill considered unqualified & unsuitable management & staff from government, province and municipality & was just tooooo much to handle in a club scene as well for such high prices.
Go back & check your gay history – SUCCESFUL clubs – Mandy’s, After Dark, 2001, Skants, Mrs H & Zips, Champions, 58, Moon & New Moon & even the Shaft after the rest met their demise until prostitution killed it off with drugs & violence. See also those from Pta & other cities. Opposite extremes are the violent tendencies by the predominantly zulu tribal mentallity killing & murdering Durbs to death. CT QC drowns in foreign funds so is out on a limb.
BUT once gone, never go back to the same location – and don’t try to mix up Str8’s. They really are so Fukked Up in the mind after a drink or two. They kind of reach a politican’s state of mind, VERY FUZZY!
The times are a changing – Government has sucked up most free cash that Telkom & a few new fat cats haven’t & is eking it out in new & wonderous ways to new locations & tiers of society.
The BIG BUZZ is now some parts of Soweto.
Fewer tribal assaults are being meted out in some areas, and the excitement of gay life within the immediate and own neighbourhood is Fully Prevalent there. Take a trip & see the vast torrents of cash rearing up in the erstwhile slave camp in form of shopping centres and thriving communities.
And will some little madam’s above please take a few trips around the world!!!!!!!!
Men of Color has a strict code of meaning across the world and is nuttin to do wit yr wee cuntree SA’s history of racism. The Nigga’s of da world are uniting – some under a strange americanized muslim umbrella and they like their terms of reference to each other. None of it is derogatory when used in the correct context by the specific ppl themselves – normally the self enslaved dirt poor shit lookin 4 a hookup.
Well done to Simply Blue for surviving the rough times, & continue to go from strength to strength.
Death o’ Heartland . Hell man! Prices too high for ZERO & streets much too clean for Jozi. It was out of place. Gays in GT are now used to having to tramp through deep stinking streets & pavements dodging criminals – so arriving at a clean road was just shock treatment. The municipality is already passing bylaws to ensure nobody ever uses any water to wash the city CBD ever again. Even Woolworths & Edgars in the city are following these laws. Try to walk on the pavements around them. So who was proving wat here! Major Bad Management Decisions to try to revive the slaughtered heart.
It’s like the queens ruling PRIDE – Blind leading the frivolous. Maybe now the council can remove the concrete from around the trees and let them get a bit of water to survive.
Surprised it lasted that long. Like I said, I am surprised it actually took a year for them to close down… A club that closes at two am?
I almost got raped in the toilets, for crying out loud!
Pity though, cause JHB needs a descent place to party… When is someone that actually knows what the gay community wants gonna open an awesome club? And maybe this time round we can stay out of the middle of town… No one will ever be able to give us anything as good as Therapy was…
No we drive to Boksburg, but at least there the “commom” people are much friendlier…
Nothing wrong with Ramps, at least the place fills up every time they open…
R.I.P Heartlands.
Good riddance. Day- by- Day the decline of Johannesburg is more eminant than ever before . Stench, filth , muggings, decay –truley AFRICAN go to http://www.deathofjohannesburg.blogspot.com
heartland. thank god for miracles.
what. what so sad bout that
there’s more. lets look at naked nights..thursday rhino bar makes a lot of money and straight people come party @ a labelled venue. no reason to get it down ..we love our thursday nights
Sad times. It’s sad that people don’t have faith in Joburg.. from people who litter on the streets to people who predict it’s death, it shows what a cynical and pessimistic people we really are.
I commend Heartlands for having the balls to do something different. to go where people are simply too scared to go, even though people have as much chance of being mugged in the city as anywhere else in South Africa.
Although I didn’t particularly enjoy the atmosphere or the music of Heartlands, it at least gave me a sense of pride that I’m a Joburger. And so I hope it is revived again into something that we can be proud of…. and may the best of luck be with whoever does this.
What a sad bunch. What a mob of sad, twisted queens you all are. So full of self-righteous negativity. So quick to condemn, so eager to see failure, so lacking in anything to contribute. We’re eating ourselves from the inside and gleefully enjoying every moment. God help us…
sad captain. what a pointless comment…….supose u are one of those pathetic mo”s who dont have the balls to complain about anything and just accept all the shit thrown our way!
Tough. Well if the owners hadn’t let “straight” people run the club,this would never had happened…The last time I and my partner went to DCM,we were constantly “chaperoned” around the club by a large african bouncer,who ,I think,thought I was a drug dealer…..I couldn’t even go and piss without him looking over my shoulder!!and on top of it,there were possibly 50 people in the club!
What happened to the doorladies in drag,etc etc??
A gay club/environment ,should be run by gays…not str8’s trying to rip us off!!
The Captain must wake up…. …wake up and smell the coffee. If people aren’t happy with something they will bitch and moan. That’s why the Heartlands closed down. We just weren’t happy with it! Because of the arrogant and rude staff, and because of their high prices. Captain, you are the sad case around here. We want a GAY venue with a viby atmosphere, where the people managing the place are also interested in how they treat their customers, rather than making a quick $…
Heartlands. Sad to see it go, had lots of good times there. They should not have re-opened after the close of GASS/Therapy though, could never live up to the legacy those clubs left behind.
Colour. It’s a shame but nota surprise that the gay community would not support it’s own…And as for the Heartlands, I was not welcome on three occassions where I was just brushed off and not allowed to enter the premises. I am glad it is closing down because it cannot co-exist with what they call “men of colour”. It seems another one bites the dust.
Young Gifted and Black. Such is life for people who do not want to share what they have been given. This land was made for all who live in it but some think they own more than others. Heartlands was for the priviliged white skinned brats that will never the true taste of what being a world citizen is like. You will run but there is no place to hide…We are black and we here not to take over but we are still willing to share even though you seem not to want to come to the table. It will be sweeter in the end when truth prevails.
Couldn’t be happier about the closedown…
DEAR YOUNG GIFTED AND BLACK. What a racist comment. You may be young, you may be black but you are definitely not gifted. Shame on you…
DICKHEAD. Granted that you’re young & black, but that’s about alllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll.
black or lack. Why would you want to party with people who apparently dont have no rhytm ?
stop playing that stupid card ten years down the line, dude-you truly are not that gifted.
Please run for president!!!!!!. CLUBBBA for president – After reading all this negative moaning and bitching FINALLY someone that actually have a positive solution!
WELL done!
Thanks. Thanks, the cheque is in the mail! As per usual people bitch about this and that, its exactly the same as a TV, if you dont like what you are watching, use the remote and CHANGE THE CHANNEL!
To Young ‘gifted’ and Black. You are the one with the issue here. We are all glad The Heartlands closed down, whire, black or whoever. And not because we thought it was a racist venue (funny you are the only one thinking that). But because the way the management treated ALL people who went there. Maybe it’s time to stop seeing ppl in ‘colour’ and see everyone as human beings.
The Gay Divide. In the midst of all this, one hopes that we are able to pick up some lessons as a gay community and learn that there is a huge problem within the community. We cannot pretend anymore. A proud gay black man (not MEN OF COLOUR but BLACK) like myself, I have a huge problem going out in jhb because of either a lack of variety (same music, same dj, same bar tenders) or my skin colour or my appearance. I am not begging for people to like me and associate with me just because but, I have on many occassions gone to a white dominated club and left feeling horrible. There is nothing worse than being at a place where you are unwelcome. The attitude seems to be like that over and over. The unfortunate thing is that white people will never notice but you who has been discriminated against for the rest of your life pick it up in seconds. I hope that we open some dialogue on this issue on day and stop pretending to be all one. We are not. We are different people learning about each other and doing the best we can to understand and love each other. The HEARTLANDS needed to note that before coming with any strategy
Heartland. The gay community so much reminded me of the last US presidential election. That Nation was divided. Same here with us , we bitch about things that does not matter. Barmen/white/black/coloured . We need to make things happen for us. The straight club don’t have this shit we having. Let’s look @ ourselves firts, then take some stock. The owners of these Gay venues also have a important part to play i the unification of the Community. The Heartland, was always , but always for the Whites, in terms of music. So let us the Comunity builld something by us for us. FUBU…
BITCH! BITCH! BITCH!!. How dare u!! WHAT THE FUCK IS “MEN OF COLOUR?”
You a fuckin disgusting piece of trash, I mean really!! You have the odesity to write something like that and pose it on the Internet!!!!
It say a lot about you. Writter!!!!
Funny enough how Heartlands CRASHED before IT EVEN GOT OF THE GROUND LOL!!! AND IT WAS NOT OF “MEN OF COLOUR” SO what does that say?
GET OF YOUR PEDASTAL!!!! So what colour are you PINK, PINK, PINK, PINK, PINK, PINK!!!!
u r 1 of them. shame,reading ur comment just says a lot about u. ur choice of words. it’s a good thing u don’t know me. god knows what would be happening 2 me right now! like i said,it pains me that there r still man(if u r 1) like u, silly sod.
i wonder why your uncles left you behind. it does not suprise us that you people act the way you do,really. we r black& that’s that
IrregularClubber. How could I not see colour? It is understandable thta you say that. You have never been belittled, illtreated, unwelcomed, beaten, lost a job, missed a promotion, made to feel less than a human being…. all purely based on the colour of your skin. Well let me tell you something, it has happened to me countless times the whole of my life and it is a part of my daily living. So don’t you tell me not to see colour. All the priviliges you had from your ancestors have been passed on to you and you still have some of them even today…all of them are based on colour. As much as we want to be part of a new SA we are willing to share this country with you when it was your turn as whites you had all the priviliges for yourselves. We had and still have to fight even today because the whites of this country are still trying to hold on to those priviliges as much as they can.
This devide exists in the gay community and even more stronger…Of course you won’t see it because you choose not to. Understand me well, I’m not saying that all the white people in SA are as ruthless as I mentioned above. There are those who try however you will never understand what it is to me…I experience discrimination 1st because I’m black and 2nd because I’m gay…Can you sit there and tell me that you understand? You don’t and never will…The only thing you can do to change thinga around is to change your paradigms and talking to your fellow counterparts to open your minds to more than just your issues which are incomparible to any other peoples…because they are unique to you…not smaller nor any bigger.
Yocun and CLUBBA. I agree with you and CLUBBA- What you guys say is true and cannot be ignored however the issue of the devide btwn us homs should not be ignored either. The gay communities in USA and EUR control most of the ecenomy hence they have a voice that is heard…What do we have…We need to start talking about what will build our community and eventually gain power that can influence the laws of this country.We need to appreciate each other first and truly come forth and try to understand the differences in our worlds and eventually bridge those. As it is now we abusing each…no wonder we still die alone and lonely and forever in lust because we do not focus our energies on what will make us grow as a people. It will take time and change of prespectives from all sides. I believe it can be achieved if we realize that we are all on the same team with differences taht should not be ingored but embraced and celebrated. We can do this if we all unite in strategy to change and love ourselves first…We have what it takes but I guess the question is are we willing?
Reading all of these comments I can not help but laugh. Everybody is blaming each other whites blaming blacks, blacks blaming whites. We are all people of colour (white & black are colours to u know).
Who is to blame ? The entire gay comunity all of you for not standing together, now I went to this establishment a couple of times and was not impressed the staff working there was shocking the always tried to over charge you give incorect change , that was if you were lucky enough to be helped.
But then nobody complained, I did complain once and was told that I was mistaken that I have had enough of what ever I was on and that they have nevr had a complaint before and that I was the first person to complain. That was the last time I ever went there.
No matter what and who you are if we as the gay comunity dont not stand together against club owners or managers for what we believe is right and fair, then this is going to happen again and again. What ever you skin colour there is strength in numbers.
Stop playing the race card, it is getting a bit long in the tooth, I would like to know what is the average age of people who have made comments in this forum, as I am sure that most of you 10 years ago had no political opinnion or influence in your life. A person might be born into a certain population group but believe me you have no choice in the matter.
Pink is the new black.
Liberation in truth. Having read some of these comments posted up here, it’s reaffirmed that the community is not talking to each other. It is clear as day light that there needs to be a proper forum for thses kind of discussions to build a healthire community and society at large.
I am not surprised at the fact that we are pointing fingers at each other because our society has taught us that we are not good enough hence we feel that the other is not good enough in our very gay community. We have learned that if a gay guy is not staright looking and acting then he is just not good enough…in some circles if you are not flamboyant eneough then you are wierd and “unfabulous”. I being gay defined by how one acts or how one feels? As far as the meaning goes it is a sexual orientation which means it is a partner preference…
There is no moving forward until we begin to look within and fill in all that which was stolen from us when we were lied to. It is time we started loving who we are not what defines us. We need to appreciate and accept each other for the people we are not all the frills taht come with. There still will be thrills without the frills. The beginning of true happiness is living true by yourself first. That is true liberation, that is what we should be striving for because as it stands now fashion, drugs, alcohol, clubbing, parties,sex… has taken over our beings and we are lost hence we are so disconnected from reality.
All about the experience. After all is said and done…We are a difficukt makert to please but we can be pleased and as club owners you can get it right. We work hard and want to play just as hard and that means we are willing to pay what it takes however it must be worth my while. I have to enjoy the experience and leave witha memory to last me a lifetime and keep me coming back. How do you achieve that…stay in touch with the makert, ask them what they want, blend in with them, be an “ordinary” for a night to get the feel of what you’re giving the people and when I as a clubber give you feedback, listen. It will take time, and you will please others whilst you piss some but take it constructively. For instance the latest music is essential in keeping the people excited and to capture the crowds on the dance floor…with the classics every now and again…Have theme nights…reinvent the place without renovating it. Make it intimate but not stiffling…Give the best and you are sure to get the same if not more…Be in touch with us your makert and keep your ear on the ground.Your staff should never be gay friendly but they should be gay because they will know what to do unlike what we ahve experienced in the past…We don’t need people looking over us and making us uncomfortable in a club setting. How do I spend my money if I’m not having fun but irritable because of your staff member? I wish you club owners all the best and Good luck.