Iconic rooftop bar to close in ‘dismal’ Melbourne

The long-running Melbourne bar joins a growing list of CBD venues forced to close after the city’s four lockdowns.

Much-loved rooftop bar ­Madame Brussels will close its doors in less than three weeks, becoming the latest Covid ­casualty in Melbourne’s struggling CBD.

Co-founder and managing director Paula Scholes, known as Miss Pearls, said she was “devastated” to shut after more than 15 years of service.

“Fifteen and a half years – don’t you forget that half,” she told the Herald Sun.

“I love (our customers) with all my heart. Our patronage over the years has been so special to make Madame Brussels what she was.”

Ms Scholes said “you never think a good thing is going to end” but the effect of the lockdowns had been “really devastating”.

Madame Brussels is the latest Melbourne venue to close its doors because of financial strain caused by the pandemic.

Bar Saracen closed its Punch Lane restaurant in January due to dwindling CBD crowds, while Red Spice Road went into ‘deep hibernation’ last May and Longrain closed last March — before being saved by Melbourne restaurateur Scott Pickett.

Madame Brussels is planning one last hurrah to bid farewell to Melbourne.

She said she couldn’t afford to stay open, with her business partner making the painful call to close on Sunday.

“How can you shut up shop all of last year, some of this year and still try to pay rent, taxes, staff and payroll taxes,” she said. “When you’re not earning anything it’s impossible and I’ve got no money left.”

Paula Scholes with a Madame Brussels Bloody. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Ms Scholes said the city hadn’t recovered from lockdowns and had “lost its soul”.

“Saturday trade is still solid, which is mind-blowing and I’m so grateful for that … the rest of the week it’s like a ghost town.”

She said the end of JobKeeper had also affected the business but the “only way out” was vaccination.

The “one-of-a-kind” cocktail bar on Bourke St was named after a 19th century Melbourne brothel owner famed for her “sensational attitude” and “unconventional lifestyle”.

A tearful Ms Scholes said there had been an “outpouring” of love since the ­announcement.

Patrons shared their sadness at the closure online, describing the nightspot as iconic, friendly and “by far one of the greatest bars in ­Melbourne”.

“Take note, Victoria, there has been many more fall first and their (sic) will be many more fall after,” one wrote.

The bar will serve its final drinks on July 25, but Ms Scholes – who will start a new job at the Kelvin Club – left the door open for the bar to be revived.

“The Madame of Melbourne will always come back in some way,” she said.