The Club Hotel Bundaberg closing after six years, future in limbo

After six transformative years, The Club Hotel’s management team is saying goodbye. With the iconic Bundaberg venue’s future now shrouded in uncertainty.

The iconic Club Hotel on Bourbong Street, Bundaberg, has been a staple of the local nightlife scene for over 130 years.

Bundaberg’s Club Hotel is preparing to mark the end of an era, with current operators Rodney Wheat and Leon Crossett set to conclude their six-year tenure at the iconic venue.

In a post shared to the hotel’s Facebook and Instagram pages on April 5, the duo invited patrons to join them for a final weekend of celebrations before they move on to their next challenge.

The iconic Club Hotel on Bourbong Street, Bundaberg, has been a staple of the local night-life scene for over 130 years.

A live performance by musician Abby Skye helped kick off the send-off, with a farewell party scheduled for April 12.

“An end of an era is coming unfortunately after six amazing years,” the post read.

“Hope you can join us tonight for Abby Skye Music’s last gig at The Club Hotel with our amazing team.”

Wheat and Crossett took over operations in 2019.

Mr Wheat was the co-owner of City Elements cafe and former manager of The Grand Hotel. At the time, they planned to reintroduce live music and update the bistro offerings while maintaining the venue’s historic feel.

A LOOK BACK AT BUNDABERG IN THE 1960s: As featured in the Bundaberg in Pictures – 140 years of history 'Riders tether their horses at the Club Hotel on the last day before the old-style veranda posts were removed, due to council regulations, in 1968.

And the history runs deep — The Club Hotel has been a fixture of Bundaberg’s CBD since 1890.

Located on the corner of Bourbong and Tantitha streets, the two-storey timber building is now more than 130 years old.

The hotel has undergone several renovations but has retained its role as a mainstay of local night-life, dining, and community events.

For many locals, it’s been the backdrop to milestone birthdays, New Year’s Eve parties, post-footy drinks and late-night catchups. .
If the Club Hotel were to stay closed, it would leave Bundaberg with just one prominent nightclub, Club Central, a club with a shady history, as the city’s number one night-life venue.
Located on Targo Street, Club Central has long been a hub for entertainment, hosting weekly performances by local and international DJs.
While other venues like One Nightclub at the Sugarland Tavern and Base Bar continue to contribute to Bundaberg night-life scene, the loss of the Club Hotel would significantly reduce options for locals looking for live music and late-night fun.
The closure would leave a noticeable gap in the city’s social landscape, marking the end of an era for the iconic venue.

Patrons enjoying a lively night at the Club Hotel.

No announcements have yet been made about what’s next for The Club Hotel, and no development applications have been lodged with Bundaberg Regional Council as of April 8, 2025.

It remains unclear whether the venue will remain a club, change hands, or undergo a transformation.

In the meantime, Rodney, Leon and their team are encouraging the community to stop by and help send them off.

“Stay tuned for our huge send-off party on the 12th of April,” they wrote.

The Club Hotel owners were contacted for comment.