It would seem yet another live music venue has fallen, as Melbourne’s Birmingham Hotel announces it will no longer be hosting live bands by the end of the month. In statement issued on Nov 1st, venue bookers Indra Adams and Chris Bosma had this to say.
“We regret to inform that as of Sunday November 21st, all live music performances at The Birmingham Hotel will cease. Sadly the owners of the Birmingham Hotel have found the financial viability of a live music venue with all costs attached does not present a sustainable business model. The venue will continue to operate without live music with plans for refurbishing the kitchen and existing function spaces.
We as the venue bookers would like to thank all the awesome bands and punters that have made our jobs so amazing and contributed to (what was) an incredibly vibrant and exciting music venue.
To all the bands who have shows booked in the calendar after the above date, we’re sorry if this is the first you’ve heard of the plans… We aim to contact everyone this week and do our best to find replacement shows for everyone.”
Once a neo-nazi hangout, the hotel has reinvented itself over the past two years to become one of Fitzroy’s most popular live music destinations, this announcement coming as a great surprise, especially considering it only just recently underwent renovations due to concerns about noise complaints.
