Legendary live venues close, as a host of new ones get set to launch

Melbourne’s The Palace Theatre, which draws 450,000 patrons a year, is the latest music venue to announce it will be closing its doors in the city.

The Palace will shut on May 31. The building’s owner, China-based Jinshan Investments, wants to knock the entire 1912 building down. The music industry which had lobbied fiercely against its closure, is now campaigning for the State Government to buy the building and reinstate the venue operators.

It is the latest of venue closures and sales from around the country. Three venues in Townsville’s Flinders Street entertainment strip are on the market. The Bank Nightclub is in receivership, and The Venue and Newmarket Hotel are listed for sale.

Perth’s Victoria Park Hotel and Old Bundy Tavern in Bundaberg, which also feature live music, are also up for sale.

However, there is also good news. Melbourne’s Gasometer, which went into administration last November, has found three new owners who are re-launching it on April 24.

The newly-opened Easy Tiger in Sydney, in the basement of The Unicorn, features live music night every Thursday with up-and-coming bands.

The Newtown Social Club, which has taken over the beloved Sandringham Hotel and will be booked by the owners of Northcote Social Club, launches as a live venue in May, while Sydney’s The Imperial Hotel in Erkinsville launched as a mid-level live venue last month, now named The Roller Den.

The arrival of the Aloft Hotel in Perth in late 2016, will include the global brand’s signature W XYZ bar which will showcase local music acts.

Adelaide, meanwhile, has two new venues: the Pirie St & Co. Social Club, and the Rock Farm on the grounds of Immanuel College.