Iconic Brisbane Pub The Vic To Close Down This Weekend

Iconic venue The Victory Hotel - affectionately dubbed The Vic, previously known as The Prince Of Wales Hotel and the oldest surviving hotel in the city of Brisbane, is closing its doors this weekend.

"The sad day has come after 21 years where we have to close the doors on a Brisbane icon," Phil Coles, the Victory Hotel venue manager, wrote on social media, per Hotel Magazine.

"It’s been an honour to have been there on and off for 12 of those years and venue manager for the last five years. Our last day of trade will be this Saturday."

"The Victory has been the best and most testing venue I have ever run. I will miss it dearly." 

Coles has since deleted the social media post.

As the ABC reports, The Vic was fully leased until this year to the Woolworths-backed Australian Hospitality and Liquor Group (AHL). A representative for AHL commented that the company had made the "decision not to enter a new lease with the landlord."

The Vic - on the corner of Edward and Charlotte streets in the CBD - is a popular stomping ground for live bands, DJs and karaoke enthusiasts, with a beer garden space to chill in the middle of it all.

The Vic has even hosted international heavyhitters like Darude - remember Sandstorm? in 2016 and 2017. 

Tributes for The Vic are following in Facebook comment sections, but this one on Twitter sums up how live music lovers feel about some of the most memorable venues: "Vale Brisbane's Victory Hotel. It was never good but, somehow, always good. We'll always have the smell," punter Lenny Phillips wrote.

Another commenter added, "One of the great establishments. $5 basics on a Saturday use to be the go to. Only place that would let me in with a ban too."

Vale Brisbane's Victory Hotel. It was never good but, somehow, always good. We'll always have the smell

— Lenny Phillips (@lenphil29) February 15, 2023