EXCLUSIVE: Qld Venue The Zoo Reveals New Programming Partnership & Green Room

Iconic Brisbane venue The Zoo has reached its 30th anniversary and to celebrate, the team behind it have welcomed a new programming partnership with Calibre Music Management (CLBR) and revealed a new green room, situated beneath The Zoo's new sibling venue, Stranded Bar.

For the past three decades, The Zoo has hosted some of the largest acts in the world and has cemented itself as a primary venue for all artists touring Australia. As one of the longest-running venues in Australia, their new upgrades showcase a pivotal moment for the people who have kept this iconic venue running.

Since the change of ownership in 2021, The Zoo has undergone some extensive changes, including the installation of air conditioning throughout, the extension of its liquor license to 3:00am, installation of a commercial kitchen servicing Zoopreme Pizzeria, an extension of the main bar, a new can bar by the stage, a built-in DJ booth and most recently a refurb of restroom facilities and a hefty new backline offering available for hire on site.

In addition to those upgrades, a new green room has been added, replacing the much beloved Tyms Guitar store, which closed in March 2021. Tucked just underneath The Zoo's sister venue, the new green room boasts hotel-level facilities, with aircon, a private bathroom (w/shower) and a kitchenette. 

The majority of the furnishings have been sustainably sourced, with carefully plucked vintage pieces and recovered and refurbed relics from The Zoo, such as the old speaker sub coffee table and benches.

From this month, The Zoo also joins CLBR's renowned booking roster of live music venues including The Espy and The Night Cat in Melbourne, Freo Social and Mojos Bar on the West Coast, and HABA in Rye, Vic. This partnership has come at the perfect time to showcase The Zoo's improvements and will also aim to expand the events The Zoo hosts, continuing to provide the best possible live music experience for punters.

Co-owner of The Zoo Cat Clarke said: “We are stoked to be working with Nate and the team at CLBR. Nate's expertise, enthusiasm and dedication to exceptional live music programming is second to none and we couldn't be happier to welcome the team into the Zoo Crew family. The Zoo is an incredibly special place, one that many Brisbaneite's hold close to their hearts, and we are dedicated to keeping The Zoo alive and well for all that love her. The venue has undergone a difficult time in the past two years and we are encouraged to find ourselves in this new partnership with CLBR, to ensure that this iconic venue continues to thrive in Brisbane’s vibrant live music scene.” 

CLBR co-founder Nathan Farrell added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be partnering with the team at The Zoo, particularly in the year of its 30th anniversary! It's an iconic space in not only Brisbane but the national touring landscape. I’ve been booking a variety of shows at the venue as a manager and promoter over the last 15 years and it's a remarkably versatile space. 

"We look forward to working with the fantastic ownership and venue team on broadening the diversity of the musical offering and utilising its 3am license to welcome more parts of the Brisbane community into the space. Our national visibility over touring at this capacity and surrounds places us in an incredible position to secure the best talent on offer for The Zoo and cementing its position in Brisbane and the national touring space for hopefully 30 years to come. Long live The Zoo."

The Zoo is gearing up to unveil a new website and announce its full programme of 30th birthday celebrations set to take place in December, co-programmed with co-founder and previous owner of The Zoo, Joc Curran. Keep an eye on the venue's website for more details!