Overview
Losing a live music venue in your city is always sad. With it goes a platform for art, a source of revenue for local musicians and nights out watching your favourite bands. That seemed to be the case when Melbourne music venue The Spotted Mallard closed down last year. Fortunately, the spirit of The Spotted Mallard lives on with the space transformed into not one, but two new venues.
Downstairs at 314–316 Sydney Road, Brunswick, the Brunswick Artists' Bar has been open since late 2020, serving drinks and showcasing artwork and acoustic sets from local musos. Now, the picturesque upstairs concert hall has been refurbished and reimagined as the Brunswick Ballroom. The space takes inspiration from the 1990s Melbourne spot The Continental Cafe, with stunning stained glass domes embedded in the ceiling and a balcony with views of the Melbourne city skyline.
Nicole Cleary
Brunswick Ballroom opened its doors in late February with an eclectic lineup of artists set to take stage over the next few months. Rising local musicians D'Arcy Spiller and Girlatones will perform during the ballroom's opening month as part of the Brunswick Music Festival (March 6–11) and Aussie comedians, including Tripod and 'Southern Hemisphere's best fake genuine Russian folk choir' Dustyesky, will take to the stage as part of this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival (March 24–April 18) lineup.
Dinner and a show is encouraged, with a menu that spans far beyond your typical pre-gig snack. Mains including slow-roasted beef brisket and grilled cauliflower steak will be on offer alongside pretzels, vegan buffalo wings, grilled saganaki and a variety of club sandwiches.
The Brunswick Ballroom is the venue's latest iteration of the building, which has a history stretching back to the 60s. It has previously been a hat factory, a nightclub, a wedding reception centre and a French restaurant, before it was transformed into The Spotted Mallard in 2012.
Find Brunswick Ballroom and Brunswick Artists' Bar is located at 314–316 Sydney Road, Brunswick. For more information and to book tickets, head to brunswickballroom.com.au.
Images: Nicole Cleary