Beloved Adelaide Venues We've Lost Over The Years
It is a shockingly precarious time to be a music venue in Australia.
Pelvis performing at the 'Save The Cranker' rally (Rachel Bradley / Small Soy Creative)
To be a music venue these days in Australia, it seems, is to be forced to open oneself up to potential transience. Running costs are skyrocketing, and overheads are astronomical.
The cost of living crisis has slowed ticket sales and bar sales. As a result, venues across the nation are suffering. Indeed, recent reports estimate that in the five years since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia has lost over 1,300 live music venues and stages.
The owners of beloved Adelaide indie venue The Wheatsheaf recently spoke to The Music about the state of the live music ecosystem, describing it as an industry “in crisis.” They lamented, “We’re losing so much knowledge, work and experience from existing venues and their operators, and it makes it so much harder for new independent operators to start new venues.”
The publicans continued, “Without venues of all sizes for artists to play in, cut their teeth in, and build their crowds in, we’ll run out of new local music pretty soon.”
In summation, the situation is dire. And it's not an issue restricted to Adelaide. Cairns’ last independent live music venue, Elixir Music House, is embroiled in financial strife and potentially on the verge of closure. Melbourne’s The Gasometer Hotel closed its doors in March. In Hobart, the beloved Uni Bar announced that it was calling last drinks. Venue closures are currently endemic to the industry.
Over the years in Adelaide, we have lost—and continue to lose—some truly beloved venues. Let us reminisce over those cherished pubs and clubs that are, unfortunately, no longer with us.
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The West Thebarton Hotel
The West Thebarton Hotel was first erected in the 1880s, and achieved heritage status in the 1990s, but its final trading day took place on March 10th, 2025.
Due to the undertaking of the corridor upgrade known as the River Torrens to Darlington Project, the iconic venue has closed its doors and is set to be demolished in the near future.
In an interview with The Advertiser, hotel owner Arthur Balayannis said, “It's beyond our control, and of course we're disappointed…However, it's a situation which is a part of progress, and it's for the greater good.”
My Lover Cindi
My Lover Cindi announced in May of 2024 that it would be closing its doors.
The loss of this iconic queer club hit especially hard, given that it was initially established as a safe space for minority groups who are often at risk at more typical venues. In their farewell statement, owners Kate and Rach voiced “concern at the hole this leaves in accessible queer options left on Kaurna Land.”
The closure of My Lover Cindi indicates the further vulnerability of venues that prioritise marginalised communities or are run by members of marginalised communities.
So it was a real treat when it was announced that My Lover Cindi would briefly be back for a reunion night this year as part of Adelaide’s Fringe Festival. The magic was back, at least, for one night only.
Enigma Bar
Adelaide’s eclectic, eccentric Enigma Bar closed its doors in November 2023. It was announced earlier this week that the site, located on Hindley Street, would officially be bulldozed to make way for high-rise accommodation.
Venue owner Eric Ott wrote in an official farewell statement, “Enigma Bar has been a haven for music lovers in the Adelaide live music scene for so many years, a place where hundreds, if not thousands, of bands and tens of thousands of patrons have created lasting memories.”
The venue is sorely missed.
Chateau Apollo
Chateau Apollo is a chameleonic space. The multi-purpose area is located in the heart of Adelaide’s East End, and its tabula rasa nature allows for the events held there to be whatever they want or need to be.
But, after fourteen years of operation, the venue is set to officially close on May 25th this year, alongside other iconic East End venues such as Roxie’s and Midnight Spaghetti.
These venues are closing to make way for a new student accommodation tower, approved by Singaporean developer Wee Hur.
In an interview with Glam Adelaide, managing director Tom Skipper stated, “I’ve dedicated over 14 years of my life to making these venues come alive. It’s been more than a job – it’s been my passion and my purpose. To our staff, our friends, our loyal patrons – you are what made this place special. I can’t thank you enough for the memories, the music and the madness. Let’s give Roxie’s and Chateau the farewell they deserve.”
The Crown and Anchor
Luckily, the adored Crown and Anchor is only temporarily closing its doors. Though the storied institution was in a precarious position for a while, facing the threat of demolition, the town rallied together, and the Cranker was saved.
So, although we will miss the original venue while its doors are shut for development, thank Goodness this is not another loss we have had to suffer.
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
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