Iconic Aussie Live Music Venue 'No Guarantee' To Continue With Building Up For Sale

The future of iconic Aussie live music venue, the Cambridge Hotel, cannot be guaranteed as the building that hosts the space is currently up for sale. 

Newcastle Herald reported late last year that owners put the Newcastle venue up for sale with heavy early interest coming from developers. 

Speaking to The Music, licensee Dru Russell confirmed that the Cambridge team have put in a bid to take over the Hunter Street venue and that the future of live music at the venue is dependent on "who purchases the building".

"If it’s us, then yes, it will continue in it’s current form but they are shopping it to developers also," Russell said.

"So there is no guarantee that it will stay as a live music venue."

The Cambridge site, which was previously up for sale in 2017, has been the home for live music in Newcastle for over 50 years and has played host to a number of big name acts including Silverchair, Tash Sultana, PNAU and quite the controversial gig in 2015 from US rapper Childish Gambino.

In the last three months alone, local names including Lime Cordiale, Ruby Fields, Trophy Eyes and Sneaky Sound System, have all performed at the Cambridge Hotel.

"It’s been challenging times for all live music venues. So for the venue to be shopped around to developers is hard to watch," Russell said.

"But we’re doing everything we can to hold and be the winning bid.

"Support from local government with grants will provide short life lines for live music venues to keep the fight up."

Russell confirmed to The Music that the Cambridge has applied for a grant in the second round of Live Music Australia's funding initiative.

Expressions of interest for the building close on 11 February.