ORLANDO – Iconic Orlando gay resort The Parliament House will close after this weekend, but the owners say they have plans for the future. The nightclub will close on Monday, according to Parliament House’s Facebook post.
Officials said they tried to secure financing to renovate the existing property.
“Unfortunately, that fight ended today with no deal,” according to a statement from the nightclub.
A statement from the Parliament House says they will never forget the memories made in the past 45 years.
For over 45 years, The Parliament House has called Orange Blossom Trail our home. We have to announce that our home at…Posted by Parliament House Orlando on Wednesday, October 28, 2020
“Our community showed up in thousands to celebrate marriage equality in the United States. We gathered to mourn the loss of our friends at Pulse Nightclub. We came out for countless concerts, pageants, plays, musicals, and events,” the statement reads.
It was never about the building, according to the statement.
“It’s about the people. And although our location may be changing, we hope you will follow us to our next destination here in Orlando.”
The building was a stomping ground for many of us during the epic Gay Days weekends that would take place on the property with foam parties, T-Dances, and the best DJ’s in the world. If you were an Orlando local you could go out there almost every night of the week and have fun. You could also get a room before you shuffle down to the bear bar or the main dance floor or catch a show in their theater.
This nightclub was ranked our favorite club in the world a few times in the past. We have celebrated so many amazing times here ranging from an EDC Orlando after party to seeing Darcel Stevens host New Years Eve with the electricity going out. We have seen Deborah Cox, Salt N’ Pepa, Envogue, Abagail, Amber, Ultra Nate, Crystal Waters, and the list goes on forever because this place is so iconic.
Unfortunately, there was no kind of help in terms of securing the building as a historic landmark you know because of over 40 years of being an LGBTQ community icon. The Atlanta Eagle recently were able to secure this for their landmark but after they had moved out of the location but a good thing for them is that it will not be demolished in this way.
We are at a loss for words.
The Parliament House said updates about future plans will be shared.
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