For one final fling, Pound nightclub was filled to capacity on Saturday night, with revellers waiting up to two hours for entry into the iconic gay Wellington club's Bon Voyage party. After six years of operation, the home of the local LGBT social scene closed its doors, as owners Malcolm and Scott Kennedy-Vaughan head off for a few months' break before opening a new venue in the New Year. “It was a fantastic night – very emotional for Scotty and myself,” said Mal, who was moved to tears as he looked out over the crowd from the DJ box during the closing act. Twelve drag queens most closely associated with the club's success were on hand for final performances. The party kicked off early with a cabaret lounge show at 10pm, followed by hourly shows, including drag classics and a medley of the best shows of Pound's six-year history. At 3am, drag diva Pollyfilla, who is also leaving Wellington early next month, teamed up with her ‘mother' Auckland performer DeeZaStar, for a drag duo, including a stilt walking spectacle. It was the first time Pollyfilla had performed on stilts for her home crowd. Dance music pumped until the wee hours of the morning, courtesy of Pound stalwart DJ Cliché and DJ Nick Jay, previously of Pound, now resident in Australia. All 12 drag queens joined on stage for their “Last Dance” at 5am, as last drinks were called. The drag queens and performers present, which Mal called the “mainstay” of Pound's success, were: Pollyfilla, DV8, Dawn Breaker, Arabia, Lady Trenyce, Ellie Kat, Pussy Girl, Toniel Dante, Luci Lastic, Sasha Frieze, Kenia Likit and guest celebrity DeeZaStar. Mal and Scotty were barely able to hold back their emotion as they personally farewelled regulars as they dispersed onto Dixon Street for the final time. Mal and Scotty, the ‘first couple' of Wellington's gay scene, have vowed to be back. “We're committed to Wellington and will open a new upmarket venue in the New Year,” says Mal. Pound closed one day after it's sixth birthday. Monkey Bar remains the only bar or club in Wellington that targets the LGBT scene. Mal and Scotty say they are “enthusiastic about the future of the Wellington scene,” and are certain new venues will usher in the next era for gays, lesbians and drag queens. Ref: GayNZ.com (d)