A Sydney nightclub has been forced to issue an awkward apology after music interrupted an ANZAC Day dawn service being held nearby. In a statement, the Ivy nightclub said staff are “mortified and deeply upset” about the disruption.

As the Sydney Morning Herald reports, several attendees reported interruptions to the ANZAC Day dawn service at Martin Place. The service was interrupted “at least five times”, including during the minute’s silence.

A crowd of about 30,000 people reached the area outside the club, which is less than 400m from Martin Place. “This morning during the dawn service the Ivy nightclub blasted dance music several times during the dawn service including the moment’s silence,” said attendee James Lobb.

“The music was incredibly loud.” Members of the crowd even approached the nightclub to complain about the noise, but the music persisted. A number of attendees took to social media to complain, calling the interruptions “disgraceful” and “disrespectful”.

The Merivale Group, which operates the Ivy, has since issued an apology, with a spokeswoman claiming that the music was the result of “a third-party contractor” conducting “unauthorised sound testing for an event later today”.

“That contractor was immediately terminated this morning,” the spokeswoman said. The nightclub had reportedly closed an hour and a half before its usual Saturday closing time of 3.30am to minimise noise during the service, but apparently the contractor missed the memo.

“He behaved in a terribly insensitive and completely unacceptable, thoughtless way,” the spokeswoman said,” the Merivale Group spokeswoman said. “We are mortified and deeply upset about noise reports during the dawn service and apologise unreservedly to those in attendance for any disturbance.”

However, according to one commenter on the Ivy’s Facebook page, the disturbances weren’t just confined to the music. “[The service] was marred by staff at The Ivy,” wrote Lexi Kentmann. “From dragging tables and chairs which reverberated through the quiet street, to dumping what sounded like glasses.”

“Through to loud pumping music – not once, not twice, but incessantly – including throughout the minute’s silence. Which was then turned down – and then turned back up again and pumped up. Swearing, yelling, general lack of respect for what was happening on a grand scale on the street below.”

Other commenters echoed the statement, with one writing, “It was only until an angry group of people starting knocking on the Ivy door that the music and swearing stopped. It was the most disrespectful moment I have ever witnessed and it reflects poorly on your business.”

Saturday morning’s service, which began at 4.30am, featured an address by Governor General David Hurley, and was attended by Premier Mike Baird and dignitaries including the consuls general of Turkey and New Zealand.

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