It’s the announcement we’ve all been waiting for but dreading to hear. The bookers of the East Brunswick Club have just sent around a memo confirming that the venue will close at the end of summer.

The news comes after Tone Deaf broke the story that a planning application had been made to the local council to redevelop the band room into an apartment complex. The statement from the bookers reads as follows:

Sadly, all good things must come to an end. The East Brunswick Club will officially close it’s doors at the end of this summer. Venue owners Pete and Pam Benjamin have decided to retire from the hospitality industry and have sold the building. The new owners will not continue it as a live venue.

Everyone involved with the venue is incredibly proud of what has been achieved over the last 6 or so years of live music….so many amazing shows and memories… A big thank-you goes out to all the bands that have played, promoters that have supported the East, and most importantly, all those that have been to the gigs.

Any local acts keen to play one last show in February to say goodbye to the place should get in contact soon. Shows continue as usual through Dec, Jan, Feb and until March – hope to see you there. Stay tuned for more tour and show announcements to come.

The official confirmation comes off the back of a tough year for live music venues around the country with many venues either shutting down or circumstances changing that paint a stormy future. The Prince Bandroom in St Kilda was recently sold to a restaurant group who have indicated that there probably won’t be a future for the business once they redevelop the rest of the complex into restaurants. Earlier this month the booker of The Prince jumped ship which doesn’t bode well for the future of the bandroom.

Also in the last year Brisbane has lost The Troubadour, Sydney has lost Low Bar, Tone Bar, and The Hopetoun, and in Melbourne they lost The Arthouse, and The Public Bar.

Get unlimited access to the coverage that shapes our culture.
to Rolling Stone magazine
to Rolling Stone magazine