Crowbar Throws a Lifeline to The Zoo

The Zoo is back from the dead, thanks to Crowbar.

Announced this morning (October 8th), Crowbar swoops in to save The Zoo, several months after the iconic Brisbane venue announced it would close its doors after 32 years of hosting live entertainment.

With the takeover, Crowbar, the indie joint with a reputation for championing alternative, punk, and heavy music, returns to its spiritual home and can show-off a brace of branded, east coast venues.

“The Zoo has been an institution in Brisbane for over three decades, Crowbar intends to honour the amazing path laid before us and continue offering great events for years to come,” comments Crowbar owner Trad Nathan.

“As a former punter, band member, booker and promoter, playing The Zoo was a great achievement for aspiring bands, we’re excited to be able to keep music within its walls.”

Crowbar Brisbane was established by Nathan and Tyla Dombroski in 2012, earning a reputation for its artist-driven ethos, intimate atmosphere, and dedication to supporting underground music.

In 2018, the team expanded Crowbar with a site at 345 Parramatta Road, Leichhardt in Sydney, a spot that has hosted successive AAM Awards.

Melbourne artist Callum Preston, known for his work in mural art and music culture, will lead the rebrand across both venues, “creating a refreshed identity for this exciting new chapter,” reads a statement.

“We are so grateful to have the opportunity to work with the landlords, the Apostolos family, in maintaining the property as a live music venue,” says Dombroski, who is also a board member of Sound NSW, and president of the newly formed Live Music Venues Alliance.

“Our focus is to continue providing a great space for artists and music lovers, while working with industry and government to ensure the survival of grassroots venues across Australia.” 

Crowbar’s original Brisbane location, also in Fortitude Valley, had shuttered in 2020, a casualty of the pandemic.

The return of Crowbar Brisbane will be celebrated in the right way – with “a stacked lineup of local and international talent in a venue that remains at the heart of Brisbane’s live music landscape,” reads a statement announcing the development.

Crowbar will celebrate its expansion with a week of special events in the Sunshine State featuring some of “Australia’s most beloved acts and a few surprises.”

Also, the relaunched venue will offer punters a spread of smashed burgers, barbecue, fried chicken and more through the American-inspired restaurant Ultimate Pig, with vegan and vegetarian options available.

Earlier this year, the operators of the 400-capacity Zoo addressed the “financial reality of keeping music venues afloat in 2024 is all too stark,” a situation that would force the venue to close its doors from July.

That despite the venue posting its highest-ever ticket sales, a box office boom “still not enough to combat rising operational costs, and decreasing returns.”

The upstairs space at 711 Ann Street, The Zoo opened its doors for the first time on Dec. 11, 1992, and has gone on to host performances from the biggest stars at the edgier-end of contemporary music, from The Pixies to Silverchair, The Black Keys, Lorde, Ben Harper, The Church, Nick Cave and many more.

As a music venue, the statement continued, “we try our best to keep venue hire costs as low as possible for artists and promoters, which means that the financial risks are on the venue, and we depend on bar sales for profit. The cost of supplying alcohol is rising, and bar sales are going down, likely due to a mix of lifestyle changes and cost of living stress for our patrons.”

The Zoo had been running at a loss for over three years, during which time its leadership team had undergone several changes.

News of The Zoo’s demise was broken to the music community at the 2024 AAM Awards, presented May 1st at Sydney’s Crowbar.