This month marks the last round of drinks from The Bendigo Hotel – aka The Bendi – as time for venue operators The Mill Brewery running things is “coming to an end.”
The Bendi is an important music venue in the heart of Melbourne. It has a twin-bandroom setup and hosts 300 punters—an intimate space and an essential place for up-and-coming acts to cut their teeth. It’s known for hosting metal, punk, and hardcore shows, as well as putting on shows by Aussie and international acts.
The sad news of its upcoming closure was confirmed on Thursday (6 August), when The Bendigo Hotel’s socials lit up with a haunted house-themed poster and an announcement: August is the final month of operation, and one last party to farewell the venue is taking place on Saturday, 29 August.
In addition to the final party, the venue will host an abundance of gigs throughout this month. Check out the event calendar below.
Two years ago, The Mill Brewery took over The Bendigo Hotel after it was in danger of permanently closing down. Announcing that August would be its final month at the venue, the venue operators shared on Instagram yesterday:
After two huge years of gigs, beers and chaos, our time at the Bendigo Hotel is coming to an end.
While this chapter at the Bendi is closing, The Mill Brewery is continuing as always. Our full production facility is based in Thomastown, so you’ll still find our beers pouring at your favourite venues and through our usual channels.
Join us for one final party at The Bendi on Saturday 29th August as we celebrate everything this place has been. We’ll be open from 12pm with Krispy’s Smash Burgers serving lunch and dinner. Our final gig starting at 7pm.
Massive love and thanks to everyone who has supported The Mill era of The Bendi. It’s been a blast.
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In a statement shared with The Music, a representative for The Mill Brewery described The Bendi as “an incredible home” for the Melbourne heavy music community, adding that they were “super grateful” to keep the doors open over the past few years.
“Our time operating The Bendigo Hotel is coming to an end, with our final event happening on Saturday 29th August,” they said.
Explaining that they “can’t speak to” what happens with The Bendigo Hotel after this month, The Mill Brewery remains keen to “focus on this final month,” as well as “the community that makes The Bendi what it has been.”
Ahead of its closure, the venue will host a line-up of local and interstate bands performing all month, which “hopefully gives everyone a chance to come down to a few more shows, support these artists, enjoy a few more big nights at the venue.”
The representative concluded, “The Bendi has been a really special chapter for us, a lot of great memories, we’re very thankful for everyone who has been part of it.”
