Crowbar has announced it will return to its original home of Brisbane after nearly five years, setting up shop in its new home on Ann Street – taking over the venue formerly known as The Zoo. The news comes just months after The Zoo announced it would be closing its doors, officially holding its last show with Skegss on Sunday, July 7th.
“The Zoo has been an institution in Brisbane for over three decades,” said Trad Nathan – the co-owner of the Crowbar franchise alongside his wife Tyla Dombroski, as well as a former keyboardist for The Amity Affliction. “Crowbar intends to honour the amazing path laid before us and continue offering great events for years to come.
“As a former punter, band member, booker and promoter, playing The Zoo was a great achievement for aspiring bands. We’re excited to be able to keep music within its walls.” Dombroski, for her part, expressed that she was “so grateful to have the opportunity” for her and Nathan to take over the venue. “Our focus is to continue providing a great space for artists and music lovers, while working with industry and government to ensure the survival of grassroots venues across Australia.”
Crowbar Returns To Brisbane
Nathan and Dombroski opened the original Crowbar in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley circa 2012. It existed on the corner of Brunswick and Wickham Street until late 2019, where it relocated to Warner Street to merge with fellow Valley venue The Brightside. This arrangement was not to last, however, with Crowbar Brisbane ultimately shuttering in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown period.
In 2018, Nathan and Dombroski expanded the Crowbar name to Sydney – ironically, in very much the same way they have reopened in Brisbane, by taking over a shut-down venue. For Sydney, it was The Bald Faced Stag on Parramatta Road in Leichhardt, which became Crowbar Sydney from December 2018 until 2020, where it became simply Crowbar by default.
With both venues now back in operation, the names Crowbar Brisbane and Crowbar Sydney will now come into effect. Furthermore, both venues will be given a new look thanks to Melbourne artist Callum Preston – and Crowbar Sydney’s restaurant Ultimate Pig will also expand into Crowbar Brisbane.
Although no details are yet available on the opening dates for Crowbar Brisbane mach 3.0, “a week of special events featuring some of Australia’s most beloved acts and a few surprises” is set to be announced in the coming weeks.
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