@leisure Planners
@leisure is a team of experienced leisure, aquatic and sports facility managers and planners, with market modelling, sports management, recreation planning, business and GIS qualifications. We have…
read moreBrisbane live music venue The Zoo has announced that it will cease operation this July after 32 years in business, with owners saying that the venue is not financially viable.
The 500-capacity venue, which opened in 1992, is one of the longest standing live music spaces in Brisbane's entertainment hub Fortitude Valley.
During its history, it has played host to thousands artists from Australia and overseas, including artists such as Powderfinger, Lorde and the Pixies.
The closure, and that of sister venue Stranded, was advised in a statement posted to social media yesterday morning, the venue said that it would close as it is no longer financially viable.
The Zoo’s owner, Shane Chidgzey, cited a “perfect storm” of forces leading to its closure, including cost-of-living pressures and declining alcohol consumption among young people.
Speaking to Guardian Australia, Chidgzey said the venue’s current revenue was at roughly 60% of the previous financial year, advising “the model is broken, unfortunately, when it comes to music venues.
“We only make money on alcohol sales.
“You’ve got a cost-of-living crisis in Australia, which is huge … and there’s a new trend of not drinking, which is a wonderful trend for health but not so good for bars.”
The Zoo’s booker, Nathan Farrell, told the Guardian in March that while more tickets were sold in 2023 than in any year in the Zoo history, the amount of money people were spending on drinks once through the door was well down.
Chidgzey also cited audiences saving their money for big-ticket international artists including Taylor Swift, as well as the skyrocketing cost of insurance, which had nearly doubled in the past two years from $35,000 to $65,000.
Chidgzey said the venue’s increased insurance costs were partially driven by the venue’s location in a safe night precinct, a Queensland Government initiative to curb alcohol-related violence in entertainment zones that began in 2014.
The Zoo’s location in the precinct, Chidgzey said, put it at a profound financial disadvantage, despite there only having been one insurance claim in the venue’s history.
The Zoo’s sister venue, the 250-capacity Stranded, which will close its doors at the end of this week. Stranded, housed in the same building as the Zoo, was named after the 1976 debut single by the legendary Brisbane band the Saints.
Images: The Zoo will close for good after 32 years this July (top and below, credit: The Zoo/Will Johnstone).
14th April 2024 - New grants to back Victorian live music venues and festivals
27th March 2024 - NSW Vibrancy Reforms see live music venue numbers soar
12th March 2024 - Shepparton’s Star Bowling Alley to transform via live music experience SOUND TRACKS
5th March 2024 - Input invited on shaping future of live music in Greater Geelong
17th January 2024 - Office for the Arts announces latest live music grants to get festivals thriving
12th December 2023 - Small live music venues at the core of city culture and connection
6th December 2023 - NSW Parliament passes live music vibrancy reforms
20th October 2023 - APRA AMCOS Annual Report reveals closure of 1,300 live music venues
19th October 2023 - NSW Government vibrancy package aims to protect and empower live music industry
4th October 2023 - National survey reveals Australians want more live music venues
5th September 2023 - BIGSOUND 2023 launches today in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley
18th July 2023 - Newcastle local venues incentivised to host live music and performances
4th June 2023 - Townsville Mayor laments lack of live music acts at Queensland Country Bank Stadium
30th January 2023 - Live Performance Australia and Australian Live Music Business Council among stakeholders welcoming new National Cultural Policy
1st December 2022 - Award winning Sunshine Coast live music and hospitality precinct closes
19th October 2022 - Applications now open for round five of Live Music Australia program
9th September 2022 - Rising cost of public liability insurance now impacting entertainment venues
1st July 2022 - Queensland live music and performance industry continues to receive financial boost
31st May 2022 - Leading promoters fearful of rising cost pressures on live music
11th May 2022 - Industry bodies unite to release plan for next Federal Government to back live music
25th March 2022 - Queensland’s live music sector recovery supported with latest round of funding
22nd March 2021 - Australian Live Music Business Council calls on government to ease COVID restrictions on venues
5th August 2019 - Fortitude Music Hall opens in Brisbane
13th May 2019 - Action on festival regulations welcomed by Live music industry coalition
Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?
As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.
Click here to view our subscription options.
The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.
@leisure is a team of experienced leisure, aquatic and sports facility managers and planners, with market modelling, sports management, recreation planning, business and GIS qualifications. We have…
read morePico Play is a global leader in the planning, design, development and construction of world-class themed attractions and entertainment that deliver extraordinary and memorable experiences to millions…
read moreQuayclean are a national cleaning and waste services partner with proven results in the understanding and delivery of cleaning needs and challenges faced by facilities including; major venues and…
read moreSince 2019, Active World's development team has been delivering a comprehensive single solution that caters to the diverse requirements of successfully operated and managed leisure centres. The…
read moreAbout: Momentus Technologies is a global provider of industry-leading venue and event management solutions that empower organizations to create extraordinary moments. With over 50,000 users in more…
read moreTechnogym is the leading company in the Wellness and Fitness field all over the world. With 2,200 employees, 14 branches in Europe, U.S., South America, Asia and Australia, Technogym exports its…
read moreAusfit began in 1992, providing software services to the health and fitness sector including ClubWise, a fully hosted web-based product which combines state of the art club management software,…
read moreA leading designer and manufacturer of innovative waterslides and attractions, Australian Waterslides and Leisure (AWL) is also able to advise clients in the areas of concept and design, feasibility…
read moreGet your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!