'Last drinks': Cost-of-living pressures push Brisbane music venue to close after 32 years
Beloved Brisbane music venue The Zoo will close its doors in the coming weeks after almost 32 years in the latest blow to Australia's live music industry.
Managers announced the "impossibly hard" decision to close the venue in Fortitude Valley for good on July 8 due to cost-of-living pressures.
"Sadly, the financial reality of keeping music venues afloat in 2024 is all too stark," the business said in a statement.
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Beloved Brisbane music venue The Zoo will close its doors in the coming weeks. Fairfax Media/File
"The Zoo reached its highest ticket sales in its 32-year history last year, yet this was still not enough to combat rising operational costs, and decreasing returns.
"As a music venue, we try our best to keep venue hire costs as low as possible for artists and promoters, which means that the financial risks are on the venue, and we depend on bar sales for profit.
"The cost of supplying alcohol is rising and bar sales are going down, likely due to a mix of lifestyle changes and cost of living stress for our patrons."
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Managers said the venue had been running at a loss for more than three years and their sister venue Stranded would also cease trading on May 6.
"Despite exploring every avenue available to us, we could not secure the level of support needed to surmount the continued financial strain," they said in a statement.
"We have no choice but to call last drinks for both of our beloved music venues.
"To our loyal punters and past performers, we thank you for the great times we've shared; the decades of dancing, singing and moshing.
"The kindness of our community of music lovers is a gift The Zoo team has cherished.
"We hope you'll continue to support local live music and keep the scene alive in Brisbane and nationwide.
"We encourage you to advocate for live music, to implore our government and music bodies to do everything they can to prevent more venues from closing their doors due to industry-wide financial pressure that is decimating venues across the country."
The venue invited people to join them for "one last dance" over the next few months and promised to make the final weeks "very special".
Back in March Splendour in the Grass Organisers announced the cancellation of the festival, which featured Aussie acts including Kylie Minogue, G-Flip and Tones and I.
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