One Last Ride Of The Pony – Melbourne Loses Another Music Venue

Today marks a dark chapter in Australia’s live music scene. As times get tougher and tougher, more and more live music venues held close to the heart of punters are closing, with the latest victim, Melbourne’s iconic Pony, set to close its doors.

After more than 12 years in the business of making memories, launching band’s careers and providing quality nights out for all, Pony will officially be no more as of December 2. According to SMH, the culprit is rising rent prices. Speaking to the newspaper, Jon Perring, who along with partners Andrew Portokallis and Sam Crupi operate Pony as well as a number other other venues, stated: “We are sad to see it go, but it is essentially a business decision based on not being able to agree on a rental that would work for us to operate long term into the future.”

The torch has now been handed down to father and son team Camillo and Daniel Ippoliti (who own Revolver in Prahran, Cookie, and The Toff). The pair have also purchased the property next door. They will continue to operate as two separate business entities though they will compliment eachother. Ippoliti Snr told SMH that he’d “like to acknowledge the good work that was done in those spaces over the many years”, further adding that “it is likely that after renovations live music will continue”. So there is a silver lining.

While it’s sad to see the end of a dynasty, it will be exciting to see where the new owners take the venue, hopefully creating a new dynasty for us to enjoy.

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