Iconic Ashgrove music venue to close doors, reopen in New Farm

The Junk Bar Ashgrove has been welcoming grassroots musicians and punters through its doors since 2010, now it’s set for ‘bigger and better things’ at a new location.

'The Junk Bar' co-owner Dylan Proctor at the former Taj Mahal restaurant at New Farm. Picture: Richard Walker

An iconic live music venue in Brisbane’s inner west has revealed it will be closing its doors, in exchange for a bigger and better venue.

The Junk Bar Ashgrove has been welcoming grassroots musicians and punters through its doors since 2010, but after some lease negotiations were unsuccessful, the Junk Bar team decided it was time to say goodbye to the iconic corner spot, with its last day of trading on October 26.

Fans need not worry, though, as staff confirmed to The Courier-Mail that the owners had purchased the former Alibi Room venue in New Farm, boasting double the former venue’s capacity and had grand plans for the space.

Former Taj Mahal restaurant at New Farm is set to be transformed into new 'The Junk Bar'. Picture: Richard Walker

The new iteration of the Junk Bar is set to open its doors for a soft launch in the first week of November with the bar already booking artists.

One of the most exciting additions to the venue is the capacity for the bar to offer food, something that was not possible at the tiny space at Ashgrove.

Food will be provided by the team at Bill’s Burgers, who run Brisbane’s unmistakeable double-decker burger bus.

Manager Michael Graham said the venue would retain all its former charms (and ‘falling apart furniture’) as it expanded into the new space.

“We want to keep the theme and feel and look the same, even down to the old, falling apart furniture and decorations,” he said.

“We want to stay small enough to support grassroots artists, but not put us out of the market for those entry level acts either.”

“It is all about the music for us, to be honest we lose a lot of money on the bar, but its all about the music.”

The team hope to host a ‘going away party’ in their final week at Ashgrove and to see in their new home with an epic opening gig in early November, but details are yet to be confirmed.

Originally published as Iconic Ashgrove music venue to close doors, reopen in New Farm