Influential Melb Music Venue To Close Its Doors

Iconic Melbourne music venue The Mercat Basement has announced it will close its doors next February.

The Queen st venue, located below Fancy Hank's BBQ, is being forced to cease operations due to the Queen Victoria Market re-development, with owner Daragh Kan telling The Music the future of the building itself is unknown.

“We don’t know if it’s being knocked down, but there was no way for us to stay there in our current shape,” Kan said.

As influential as the brand now is, Kan said relocating wasn’t an option as they wouldn't be approved for another late-night liquor licence; their current one giving them the ability to operate 24 hours a day, besides Sundays.

“At this stage, we haven’t got any plans of carrying on the legacy,” he said.

The final gig at The Mercat Basement will go down Feb 11, with a to-be-announced in-house show.

Check out theGuide for all other dates.