Devastating News: Iconic Brisbane Live Music Venue The Zoo Is Closing Down Forever in July

After 32 years of hosting live tunes — including from 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 — The Zoo is saying farewell to Brisbane's music scene forever. The team behind the venue announced the heartbreaking development via social media, advising that the Ann Street spot was bidding farewell due to "rising operational costs and decreasing returns".

"As passionate music fans and proud members of the community, it's impossibly hard to share the news that after nearly 32 years of live music, The Zoo will be closing its doors on July 8th," the statement begins.

"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," it continues.

 

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"As a music venue, we try our best to keep venue hire costs as low as possible for artists and promoters, which means that the financial risks are on the venue, and we depend on bar sales for profit. The cost of supplying alcohol is rising, and bar sales are going down, likely due to a mix of lifestyle changes and cost of living stress for our patrons."

"The hard truth is that we've been running at a loss for over three years. Despite exploring every avenue available to us, we could not secure the level of support needed to surmount the continued financial strain. We have no choice but to call last drinks for both of our beloved music venues."

While Brisbanites have until Monday, July 8 to head along to The Zoo for the last time, its sibling bar Stranded — the punk-inspired cocktail spot that opened in 2022 — will close up on Monday, May 6. So, this news brings two massive changes for Fortitude Valley. It isn't an overstatement to say that Brisbane won't be the same without The Zoo, which has been a go-to venue for gigs, and one of the city's most famous, for its three-decade-plus run.

"To our loyal punters and past performers, we thank you for the great times we've shared; the decades of dancing, singing and moshing. The kindness of our community of music lovers is a gift The Zoo team has cherished," the closure announcement also notes.

"We hope you'll continue to support local live music and keep the scene alive in Brisbane and nationwide. We encourage you to advocate for live music, to implore our government and music bodies to do everything they can to prevent more venues from closing their doors due to the industry-wide financial pressure that is decimating venues across the country."

Shows were scheduled for after The Zoo's shutdown date, with ticketholders set to be contacted.

Current co-owners of Cat Clarke, Luke 'Boo' Johnston and Shane Chidgzey added a pizzeria, launched Stranded and started a bottle-o during their run — and, in collaboration with OG co-founder Joc Curran, also celebrated the venue's 30th birthday with a massive festival with 100-plus artists in 2022.

Luke Henery

The Zoo will close at 711 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley on Monday, July 8, 2024. For further information and to buy tickets in the interim, head to the venue's website.

Stranded will close at 3 Winn Lane, Fortitude Valley on Monday, May 6, 2024.

Images: Cat Clarke / Luke Henery.