Venues Update: September 23

Images: Sydney Showground hosting Big Day Out & The Sheaf

THE SHEAF IS TOPS

The Sheaf in Sydney took out Best Entertainment Venue In this week’s Australian Hotels Association’s 2016 National Awards for Excellence.

ARMIDALE CLUB BURNS DOWN

A live music club in Armidale in regional NSW, the Armidale Club has burned down in what emergency services regard as “suspicious” circumstances. Club owners Kate Richards and Allen St James, long time supporters of local music acts, were to open a huge beer garden for the warmer months.

NEW OWNER FOR POST OFFICE HOTEL

The Post Office Hotel in Grafton, NSW, has new owners. After paying about $500,000, they plan to kick-start some initiatives that will draw young people into town and increase its nightlife. Former owners Don and Judy Ward faced numerous charges of breaches of its liquor licence in court last October, while a fire in the basement closed it in May.

MORE NSW SMALL BARS HOSTING MUSIC?

In a move to shift live entertainment to smaller and safer bars, a NSW Liquor and Gaming review has recommended that bars be allowed to expand to 100-capacity, be exempt from the new licence freeze in place in entertainment precincts, and have councils make it easier for them to start.

NEW VENUE FOR CHRISTCHURCH

Christchurch, NZ, has a new live music and arts space called The Piano. The $16.8 million building replaced the Music Centre of Christchurch, which was demolished following Canterbury’s earthquakes. It features a concert hall, performance and rehearsal spaces, and a foyer for events.

VENUE MANAGEMENT WINNER

Winner of the Best Achievement in Venue Management at the annual Event Awards wasSydney Showground. Other finalists were Melbourne, Etihad Stadium, SCG Events and Luna Park Sydney venues.

REPORT: GOLD COAST ADJUSTS TO 3 AM CLOSE

A report by the Gold Coast Bulletin found that most nightclub operators have adapted to the 3am closing, introduced state-wide on July 1. As one said, “Nothing much happens after 3am in the clubs any way.” However, most are nervous about the 1.30am lockout that is coming in early 2017. But Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath has no plans to pull back.

ONESIXONE MAKES CHANGES

With warmer weather coming, OnesixOne in Melbourne has built a new bar on its rooftop, replaced its 10-year dance-floor sound system, and introduced a new Saturday afternoon REWORK.

HONKY TONK BAR COMING

A honky tonk style bar, complete with piano, jamming space and 40 years of vinyl rock, blues and honky tonk records, is opening up in the basement of the old Commercial Hotel (now Beach House Hotel) in Nambour. It is being set up by Matt Hepburn and Christen McGarry of Your Mates Brewing Co who were approached by the hotel to set up a venue.

HENRY AUSTIN ALLOWS PATRONS TO BE DJs

A team-up between Adelaide’s Henry Austin bar and SA audiovisual company VAF Research allows patrons to control the music through a mobile phone app, via a VAF SoundWall system

THREE PROG NIGHT

Melbourne’s Corner Hotel is on December 3 hosting Wild Thing Present’s Progfest, including Caligula’s Horse, Circles, Chaos Divine and We Lost The Sea.