Hobart’s music scene thriving as another late night hangout spot opens in the CBD

In the last four years over 1000 music venues across Australia have closed, but not all is lost. Here’s how these music fans want to keep the scene alive in Hobart >>

Music Director Kimberley Galceran, program manager Sam Dawson, and program co-ordinator Keira Leonard are preparing Altar for the new opening. Picture: Linda Higginson

Hobart’s musicians and musically minded patrons will again have a dedicated venue with the opening of Altar Bar.

DarkLab music director Kimberley Galceran said Altar Bar would be an important venue for Hobart’s live music scene.

“In the last four years over a thousand venues have closed in Australia. We feel very strongly about fostering a more vibrant scene in Hobart and doing everything we can to buck this trend,” Ms Galceran said.

The Hobart CBD venue Altar will open on Friday night from 5pm as Altar Bar — a refurbished and relaxed space open five nights a week.

Ms Galceran said the space drew inspiration from old dive bars and speak-easies, and importantly would be an affordable and comfortable space for people to hang out during the cost-of-living crisis.

Music Director Kimberley Galceran, program co-ordinator Keira Leonard, and program manager Sam Dawson are preparing Altar for the new opening. Picture: Linda Higginson

Beer, wine and cider will be available for $6.66 all day everyday, and there will be plenty of space for patrons to chill out across the three bars over two floors or play pool or chess.

Altar’s focus on bringing live music to Hobart will continue with international, national and local bands performing live music downstairs five nights a week till late.

DarkLab music program manager and prolific Hobart musician Sam Dowson said despite Hobart’s still thriving music scene, it was difficult to find spaces for musicians to hang out when they weren’t actively gigging since the closure of the Brisbane Hotel.

“We don’t have a spot where musos can actively meet or hang out and just chat about shows or chat about their upcoming stuff that isn’t a paid entry club or another gig,” he said.

He said there were a lot of cool people doing a lot of amazing things in the Hobart music scene, and Ms Galceran said she can’t wait for Altar Bar offer such a space.

“We need to keep live music alive in this city and give people some way to play,” Mr Dowson said.

“There are just so many good bands.”

On Friday night a line-up of local talent will kick off the venue’s opening party from 6pm including Tassie alt-rock legends A. Swayze and The Ghosts.

Alter Bar is located at 112 Murray Street, Hobart. It will be open from 4 till late on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and midday till late Friday, Saturday and Sunday.