In a significant blow to Brisbane’s live music scene, West End’s cherished venue, The Bearded Lady, has announced it will permanently close its doors, impacting local artists and the community that has supported it.
The popular spot, known for its diverse range of performances beyond just music, will cease operating on Friday, 23 May 2025.
Sudden End to a Community Hub
The closure news was shared via social media, with the venue expressing deep sadness over the decision. Despite recent community efforts to financially support The Bearded Lady, which included a successful fundraising campaign that brought in $27,000, the closure is reportedly due to unforeseen issues arising from negotiations with the landlord.
According to the venue, key individuals within the local music community had stepped forward and were willing to take over the lease. Still, at the last minute, the landlords communicated their decision to withdraw from the hospitality sector altogether. This unexpected turn of events has left the venue management and its supporters feeling devastated and frustrated.
More Than Just a Music Venue
For the West End community, The Bearded Lady was more than just a place to see bands. The 120-capacity venue had cultivated a reputation as a welcoming space that hosted various cultural events, including poetry readings, burlesque and cabaret shows, theatre performances, and art classes. Its closure signifies a loss of a valuable cultural hub in the increasingly gentrified suburb.
A Sign of Wider Challenges
The demise of The Bearded Lady is not an isolated incident. It follows the recent closures of other independent Brisbane venues like Season Three, which faced eviction, and It’s Still A Secret, whose owner, Emily Dennis, highlighted that a concerning number of small to medium-sized Australian live music venues – over a third – have permanently shut down in the past three years.
Nick Smethurst, the owner of Season Three, had previously urged the community to actively support local art and venues to combat the industry’s top-down pressures. The situation underscores live music venues’ ongoing challenges in Brisbane and across Australia.
Community Left Reeling
The Bearded Lady management conveyed their heartfelt gratitude for their support, acknowledging the disappointment felt by the bands and the wider music community. They assured their supporters that their frustrations were understood.
The closure marks a significant loss for Brisbane’s cultural landscape, leaving a void for artists and patrons who valued the West End institution’s unique atmosphere and diverse offerings.
Published Date 16-May-2025
