Blute's Bar Welcomes Nightly Live Music As Beloved Brisbane Venue Enters New Era

Just weeks after Brisbane suffered a devastating loss in the form of beloved West End venue, The Bearded Lady, closing its doors, good news has arrived by way of Blute’s Bar announcing the entering of its new era.

The Fortitude Valley karaoke haunt has long been a favourite of locals, with its late-night revelry and boisterous singalongs turning it into must-attend location for anyone seeking nighttime entertainment.

Now, however, Blute’s has announced it will be hosting live music five nights a week, with Alyssa and Keeley from BallPoint Press – the visionary team behind The Bearded Lady – joining the team to spearhead the programming.

Having been able to make a powerful and prominent impact upon The Bearded Lady with initiatives such as ‘Keep The Lady Loud’ and high-energy programming that drew loyal crowds and near-record sales, the pair aim to bring that same level of community-driven passion into Blute’s Bar’s latest era.

“This felt like more than a move, it felt like a responsibility,” Alyssa and Keeley explain. “With The Bearded Lady closing, Brisbane lost a stage that meant so much to so many. Blute’s gives us the chance to keep that spirit alive, while building something new.”

Blute’s first threw open its doors in 2018, establishing itself as a local hotspot thanks to its late-night karaoke and quirky charm. Since then, years of live gigs thanks to the likes of Rock ‘n’ Roll BBQ Sundays and BIGSOUND showcases helped prove the viability of live music therein, though the venue had not committed to the idea until now.

“We’re not abandoning karaoke,” the venue’s team asserts. “We’re evolving. Gigs will wrap early, karaoke kicks off after. The mic never cools down.”

In fact, it’s this fusion of the two staples of nightlife culture that aims to keep both artists and partygoers satisfied and the venue sustainable, while also becoming a welcoming home for artists of all stages of their careers.

“We want artists to grow with us,” Alyssa and Keeley add. “To feel at home here, whether it’s their debut show or a late-night residency.”

“We’re part of the same crew behind Black Bear Lodge and The Brightside Brisbane, and together we’re building a homegrown pipeline where artists can grow, gig, and go the distance — without leaving town,” the venue states.

According to a press release, the live programming seeks to focus on spotlighting diverse genres, inclusive lineups, and underrepresented voices that showcase Brisbane’s vibrant music scene, with residencies, recurring nights, and community collaborations set for the future.

Committed to help further grow and evolve Brisbane’s creative community as opposed to just being another venue in in the city, Blute’s Bar aims to make a statement about what it is that makes Brisbane special.

“It’s incredibly important that we all don’t lie back and accept losing another venue in Brisbane – having Blute’s restate its long-held position of being a hotbed for local original music is fantastic news,” says QMusic CEO Kris Stewart.

The venue’s launch programming will be announced soon, with artists or agents encouraged to reach out to the team now to become part of the new era.