Police say they shut down a dance party at Sydney nightspot Ivy on Sunday night after three people were taken to hospital for alleged drug overdoses and others were ejected from the venue while apparently under the influence of drugs.
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Paramedics were called to the venue in George Street, in Sydney's CBD, to treat three patients between 6.30pm and 9.40pm on Sunday.
Police said the final patient was a 50-year-old woman. A NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said the woman was taken to St Vincent's Hospital in a serious condition.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said a number of people, who were thought to be under the influence of prohibited drugs, were also removed from the venue.
The "I Remember House" dance party was held in Ivy's main bar from midday on Sunday, and was due to finish at 10pm.
However, when police were called at 9.40pm, they spoke tothe venue's licensee, who agreed to shut down the dance party and remove all patrons from the venue, police said.
The patients were believed to have taken a number of drugs, including MDMA and ecstasy.
Licensing officers from the Sydney City Local Area Command, as well as the Alcohol Licensing Enforcement Command, are now investigating.
It comes seven months after the management of Ivy were called in for a meeting with senior police after four men were admitted to hospital with suspected drug overdoses while they were patrons at the venue.
The men, aged between 20 and 39, were taken to St Vincent's Hospital after reportedly taking gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, also known as GHB.
At the time, Merivale's chief operating officer Brett Sergeant said the venue worked hard to "create a safe environment" for its patrons and did not condone the use of drugs.
"In this instance our staff identified there was an issue with some individuals and immediately organised emergency medical assistance," Mr Sergeant said.
Merivale said that police did not close down Ivy on Sunday night; the last song was played at 9.55pm and the event concluded at 10pm as always planned.
