Overview
Two comebacks are better than one, which is exactly what Tyla Dombroski and Trad Nathan have delivered at 711 Ann Street in Fortitude Valley. As The Zoo, that address was home to a legendary piece of the city's live music history for 32 years, until it closed its doors in July 2024. Thankfully, the team behind fellow venue Crowbar snapped up the lease — so as well as ensuring that tunes still echo from this beloved location, the Crowbar brand has made its Brisbane return.
If you were heartbroken and couldn't imagine the city's music scene without one of its most-famous places when The Zoo bid farewell, that was understandable — its influence was that big. It was back in October 2024 that news arrived that Crowbar would be taking over, ensuring that the pivotal spot wouldn't be empty, or silent, for long. The reborn venue has been welcoming punters in since late last year, and currently boasts a pack slate of gigs for 2025 featuring everyone from The Runaways great Cherie Currie through to Guitar Wolf and Shihad.
Dombroski and Nathan know what it's like to have to shut one of the city's favourite hangouts — and now they've saved the day at The Zoo. 2024 marked four years since Crowbar said goodbye in the River City, where it initially launched in 2012 before expanding to Sydney in 2018, due to the impact of the pandemic. Luckily that absence was relatively short-lived.
"The Zoo has been an institution in Brisbane for over three decades. Crowbar intends to honour the amazing path laid before us and continue offering great events for years to come," said Nathan back when its return was announced.
"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."
"We are so grateful to have the opportunity to work with the landlords, the Apostolos family, in maintaining the property as a live music 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," added Dombroski.
In its new location, Crowbar Brisbane 2.0 includes an American-inspired, smashed burger-slinging menu from eatery Ultimate Pig, where fried chicken, barbecue and more are on offer — think: brisket-stacked burgs, buffalo wings, house-smoked pulled pork, mac 'n' cheese and loaded fries, for instance — plus a rebrand by Melbourne artist Callum Preston, who has also done the same for Crowbar Sydney.
The Zoo's 32-year run saw it host gigs by local favourites such as Resin Dogs and Screamfeeder, Aussie greats like Nick Cave and Silverchair, and international acts including The Pixies and The Black Keys — and plenty more in-between. The team behind the venue closed it down due to "rising operational costs and decreasing returns".
"Sadly, the financial reality of keeping music venues afloat in 2024 is all too stark. The Zoo reached its highest ticket sales in its 32-year history last year, yet this was still not enough to combat rising operational costs and decreasing returns," The Zoo crew advised when they broke the news.
Find Crowbar Brisbane at 711 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley — open 11am–5pm and 7pm–12am Thursday and Sunday, and 11am–5pm and 7pm–3am Friday–Saturday. Head to the venue's website for tickets and more details.