After closing its doors in June due to ongoing financial struggles, Brisbane’s iconic music venue, The Zoo, is preparing to make a comeback—this time under new ownership. The space, which has long been a cornerstone of Brisbane’s live music scene, will be taken over by Crowbar, a renowned punk and heavy metal venue, with plans to reopen by mid to late November.
A Venue Struggling to Survive
The Zoo was forced to shut down after 32 years of operation, having faced financial losses for three consecutive years. Rising operating costs and a shift in audience spending contributed to the venue’s collapse in early 2024. According to the former owners, The Zoo had been unable to recover financially, despite its rich history and loyal following in the Brisbane music scene.
Enter Crowbar
Crowbar, a heavy metal venue with a cult following of its own, stepped in to take over the reins. Crowbar co-founder Tyla Dombroski expressed excitement about the opportunity to revive the beloved venue:
“Brisbane is slowly losing its venues, so we’re really excited to be able to bring one back. It’s an opportunity we couldn’t pass by, and hopefully, we can do some amazing work with Australian and international artists.”
Crowbar has had its own challenges in the past, having been forced to close its original Brisbane location in 2020 due to the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, they’re looking forward to giving The Zoo a new lease on life, while staying true to its legacy.
A Tough Time for Live Music
Dombroski also pointed out that the live music industry in Australia has been hit hard, not just by the pandemic but by rising costs, particularly the high alcohol taxes that venues rely on for revenue.
“We have one of the highest alcohol taxes in the world, and for live music venues, that’s how we make our money,” Dombroski explained. “I had a $20 pint in Brisbane a week ago—I nearly put my wallet away and walked out.”
Despite these challenges, Crowbar is optimistic about the future of The Zoo. With some support from the recently appointed nightlife economy commissioner, Dombroski and her team are hoping to make the venue financially viable again and bring live music back to the heart of Brisbane.
A New Chapter for The Zoo
The Zoo has been a crucial part of Brisbane’s cultural fabric for over three decades. For Nathan Trad, Crowbar co-founder and former band member who once played at The Zoo, the venue’s reopening is personal.
“The Zoo has been an institution in Brisbane for over three decades. Crowbar intends to honour the amazing path laid before us and continue offering great events for years to come.”
While renovations are underway, the new owners hope to open The Zoo’s doors in November, depending on how smoothly things progress. As Brisbane continues to lose beloved venues, the revival of The Zoo under Crowbar offers a glimmer of hope for the city’s struggling live music scene.
For now, music lovers across Brisbane can look forward to seeing this iconic venue breathe new life into the local music landscape.
MORE IN Music
