Old Bar's Owners 'Save' Music Venue Public Bar

Melbourne's Public Bar appears to have been saved from a fate devoid of live music today with the news that the owners of the Old Bar have bought the venue - officially known as The National Hotel.

First reported in Mess & Noise, co-owner Joel Morrison told theMusic.com.au today that the Public Bar will be another "dedicated band venue" for the city.

Morrison, who owns the venue alongside Liam Matthews and Singa Unlayiti, said that the consortium have decided to "expand their dive bar experience and say good bye to their livers by buying The Public Bar in North Melbourne."

He confirmed that, "It's going to be another dedicated band venue but this time possibly with food and definitely with a late license on the weekend as it can run 24 hours on Friday and Saturday."

They hope to open the venue, which has been closed since September after an 18-year history of live music, in October.

The trio also own Castlemaine's Bridge Hotel, but management of that venue is outsourced.