Melbourne’s beloved live music haunt Stay Gold has temporarily closed its doors after a freak gust of wind tore part of the venue’s wall clean off last week, injuring a pedestrian and sparking an emergency response on Sydney Road.
The incident went down on Wednesday, 25th June, when a six-metre section of the parapet wall collapsed during an intense burst of wind, which according to a report from The Age, clocked in at around 50 km/h — well above the Bureau of Meteorology’s earlier forecast. The falling debris struck an awning and injured a passerby, though thankfully Ambulance Victoria has since confirmed that their injuries were only minor.
“Reopening will be delayed until Thursday, the 17th of July”
Emergency services arrived on the scene quickly, with Fire Rescue Victoria establishing a collapse zone and safely evacuating customers and staff from inside the venue. By 5pm, the scene was under control and handed over to building surveyors.
Stay Gold addressed the situation in a statement on Instagram, confirming that the venue — along with attached eatery Ollie’s Pizza Parlour — would remain closed while engineers, surveyors, and the landlord assessed the damage.
“We’re incredibly grateful that no one was seriously hurt,” they wrote at the time. “We’ll be back slinging pizzas and pouring pints as soon as we can.”
However, in an update posted a few days later, venue owners reported that the reopening would be delayed until Thursday, 17th July.
“This is incredibly heartbreaking for our staff, upcoming shows, bands, promoters, techs, and everyone else impacted by the closure,” they wrote. “We truly appreciate your patience and understanding and will keep you updated.”
Since taking over the former Phoenix site in late 2018, Stay Gold has become a cornerstone of Brunswick’s alt and heavy music scene, hosting everything from chaotic emo club nights to stacked local gigs and community events.
If you’ve copped a ticket to a show at Stay Gold before the 17th, you’re being advised to keep an eye on your inbox for updates.
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