‘Settle debts’: Iconic Melbourne pub The Bendigo Hotel set to close
A beloved venue’s owners say they’ve been left with no choice but to close after “exhausting all options” to keep the show going.
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An iconic Melbourne pub known for its heavy metal gigs will close at the end of the month, with owners saying their financial burden has left them no choice.
The Bendigo Hotel – or the Bendi to punters – on Johnston St, Collingwood has been a staple of the city’s live music scene for 14 years.
In a message posted across its social media accounts, the venue’s owners broke the news on Wednesday saying “after exhausting all options, we’ve found ourselves at the end of the road”.
“Dear valued Bendi patrons, bands, performers, punters and live music lovers,” they said.
“We are grateful for your unwavering love and support of The Bendi over the past 14 incredible years.
“Today, we have some tough news to share with heavy hearts. Despite our team’s tireless dedication and unwavering perseverance, we’ve come to a point where we’ve explored every avenue to keep The Bendi going.
“The financial burden on our business and personal fronts has been immense, leaving us no choice but to stop trading. Sadly, we are forced to sell the business to settle our debts.”
Fans and artists alike have responded with sadness at the news.
“Far out this is devastating, the Bendi is my second home most weekends. It’ll be sad to see it go,” one punter said.
Rob Brens, a drummer with several local acts, said it was a blow to the Melbourne scene.
“Done so many gigs in so many bands here and had some incredible nights as a punter too,” he wrote.
“A huge loss to future generations of young musicians.”
Italian hardcore band Raw Power also commented to thank the venue for its support over the years.
“It was always nice to think that on the other side of the world there was a place like Bendigo,” the band wrote.
“Thank you for making us feel at home and giving us a memorable evening. We will miss you!”
The venue pledged that all scheduled shows to March 31 would go ahead, and said it was working with artists and other venues to find a new home for gigs booked from April.
“Be assured that our final two weeks will be memorable. If you’d like to perform one last gig hit us up,” the owners said.
The venue’s closure follows soon after Brunswick East live music spot Whole Lotta Love Bar also shut down this month.
Bendigo Hotel owner Guy Palermo previously campaigned for the state government to support struggling live music venues when the city was placed into its first lockdown in March 2020.
“Melbourne thrives from our live music,” he wrote on a petition that gained 29,000 signatures.
“It is the beating pulse that binds us together and pumps money into our local economy.”
Originally published as ‘Settle debts’: Iconic Melbourne pub The Bendigo Hotel set to close