More than two years, a failed liquor license and many broken hearts on, the owners of Melbourne’s former favourite punk and hardcore venue, The Arthouse, have found a new lease of life. Quite literally.
Back in January 2010, management for the live music venue were facing the end of their lease and decided not to renew due to the recently introduced Vicotria Liquor Licensing laws that required them shut at 1am instead of 3am to avoid being labelled as a ‘high risk’ venue. High costs for unnecessary security essentially forcing the small venue to close its doors.
Fast-forward to a month ago, at a new location in Footscray, and the former owners of The Arthouse are ready to reopen in a new location with a full view to reintegrating live music as a major component of their new site – located near the edge of the Maribynong river.
Details are scarce at this stage, with only a YouTube teaser and a spartan Facebook page to go off of, but the latter features the following statement:
“After a slight name hiccup, the previous Arthouse owners are gearing up to open THE REVERENCE HOTEL. Located at 28 Napier st on the rivers edge of Footscray, expect to see the pubs front bar, band room and beergarden open next weekend! Stay tuned for the kitchen and 2nd larger band room launches coming soon!”
The news of a fresh face appearing in Melbourne’s live music scene is clearly a positive amidst the current climate that’s seen bandrooms dropping like flies. Including the closure of Phoenix Public House, only six months after opening. While last week, Melbourne’s Palace Theatre was put up for public auction, most likely to be razed for a ‘high-density residential project.’
Other notches on the gravestone of Melbourne’s live music scene include theclosure of East Brunswick Club following its Laneway Festival sideshows earlier in the year, as well as The Public Bar in the last year. Adding to that, is the bleak future of The Prince Bandroom in St Kilda since it was sold to a restaurant group.
It’s a problem nation-wide too, with iconic venues across the nation being put up for public sale – including Brisbane’s Tivoli Theatre and Sydney’s The Basement.
On the bright side, we here at Tone Deaf for one can’t wait for the opening of The Reverence Hotel. You can check out the teaser for the new venue below:
