Another Melbourne Institution To Shut
News posted Wednesday, January 20 2010 at 11:00 AM.
Related: Arthouse.
Just days after The Tote’s much publicised closure, proprietors of another Melbourne institution have decided to shut up shop next year. The Arthouse, which has hosted punk and indie shows in North Melbourne for the past 19 years, will close its doors in May 2011 after its long-time licensee Maree Kelly decided not to renew its lease.
In a statement to M+N, manager Melanie Bodiam, whose family has run the venue since its inception, said the venue has suffered from the same Liquor Licensing regulations that contributed to The Tote’s demise. “The Arthouse is affected by the new liquor licensing laws that kicked in on the 1st of January this year. As a consequence we are now licensed till 1am opposed to 3am as before. I’m sure you can imagine the impact of loss off revenue and staffs wages.”
A frosty relationship with The Arthouse’s current landlord has also been a major factor in the family’s decision not to renew the lease.
“Amazingly we are coming up to the nineteenth year of our 20-year lease so I think we have had a good go and it’s been an incredible 19 years,” Bodiam added. “I think what sets The Arthouse apart and why it has survived this far under the one licensee, is that it’s a family business with each member bringing different skills … Not to mention the adopted family in staff that have poured their energies into the place for as long as 10, 15 and 18 years; that’s pretty much unheard of in hospitality. And, of course, the bands and punters that have made it their own and created a real sense of community locally, nationally and internationally.
“Our watch will be over in May 2011,” Bodiam continued. “The only thing that could change our position is if we owned the building, which I think in the real world costs a fuck load of money. Anyone got an extra few mill they don’t need?”
In the interim, the venue will operate as normal, albeit with reduced trading hours, meaning shows will be starting and finishing earlier. And when the time comes to close its doors, Bodiam said “The Arty” plans to go out with a bang.
“We want to celebrate it not commiserate it,” she said. “[But] don't write us off just yet. We are not closing anytime soon.”
Housed in the old Royal Artillery Hotel on Elizabeth Street, The Arthouse incorporates a 30-person capacity backpackers and a recording studio, which was built in 2006.
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It begins
:(
oh ffs
jesus
Fuck.
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE FUCKING JOKING
Ah, crap. Have spent many a gig over the years at the Arty. This is atrocious. Now this is exactly why pressure needs to be maintained on elected officials re: liquor licensing for live music venues.
Can I also publically thank the Arty staff for their love and support for sending over four huge boxes of muffins for all the Tote staff during Monday's show. It made a whole bunch of us cry.
Yeah, something tells me it's not going to incite as much furor as the Tote...
Fuck! My first ever gig was there.
FUCK!!!!!!!
I don't want this to turn into a game of ''who's next?''.
lots of furor potential in that scene, judy.
FUCKING HELL
We need a anti Liquor Licensing regulations protest!!!!
Where is MacLellan's office?
it will incite a different community of protesters. The virus of hardline regulation spreads...
Did the building change hands at some point, or has it always been this way?
Modi said 2 minutes ago:
I don't want this to turn into a game of ''who's next?'
But?
My boss just got a bit worked up, cause he met his now wife here at a poetry night.
hehe...
Made me smile cause I've been going on about the tote to him, now he's talking about this one.
Right - someone needs to get this shit organised. Start some kind of lobby group encompassing all people unduly affected and get these laws ammended.
This includes: music venues, sports eg: bowls clubs, wine stores, small bars (I know of at least one nth Melb. bar with licencing issues in regard to the beer garden) and everyone else.
Who has serious time, dedication and monies to draw all the strands together, consult with the exeprts, industry and law enforment to get this done properly??
I promise I'll do it if my tatts ticket from last night has come through........
we went to a hilarious open mike night there
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MYC + CONATION + EXTORTION + THE GUN RUNNERS.....22/4
TIX ON SALE SOON
FRENZAL RHOMB [SYD] AND GUESTS....23/4
TIX ON SALE NOW @ oztix.com.au
FUCK IM DEAD + CAPTAIN CLEANOFF + THE KILL
+ THE DAY EVERYTHING BECAME NOTHING
+ SUPERFUN HAPPYSLIDE + ROADSIDE BURIAL [SYD]
+ GARBAGE GUTS + DIE PIGEON DIE....24/4
4PM
THE NATION BLUE + A DEATH IN THE FAMILY
+ LUNGS [SYD] + PAPER ARMS [S.A].....27/4
TIX ON SALE SOON
BODYJAR + AWAY FROM NOW + DAYSWORTH FIGHTING....28/4
TIX ON SALE SOON
MINDSNARE + SAMSARA [LAST EVER SHOW] + AGAINST [QLD]
+ IRON MIND + PHANTOMS [SYD] ....29/4
TIX ON SALE SOON
LAST EVER ARTY SHOW: HBLOCK 101 + THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
+ FEAR LIKE US....30/4
TIX ON SALE SOON
Definitely gonna go to Conation/Extortion, The Nation Blue and the last show (providing I get tickets). Really wanna go to Frenzal as well but don't know anyone else going.
The Nation Blue show will be sweet.
and that Mindsnare show will be fucking intense, I would go, but i'm too much of a pussy.
H-Block 101 show is my favourite, but that said, they're all awesome.
Oooh. Never seen MYC. I'd like to see em one day.
That may be the day.
WUSSSSSSSS. The last Mindsnare show there was indeed fucking intense, but very very very worth it.
Also this:
FUCK IM DEAD + CAPTAIN CLEANOFF + THE KILL
+ THE DAY EVERYTHING BECAME NOTHING
+ SUPERFUN HAPPYSLIDE + ROADSIDE BURIAL [SYD]
+ GARBAGE GUTS + DIE PIGEON DIE....24/4
Is made of pure amazing.
mmm... maybe i can grow a pair between now and april.
DO IT.
Some damn good shows there.
I'm warming up my backwards windmill arms and floor punches already.
I'm gonna bust out a donkey kick especially for you, fzchk.
=D
Didn't they play their ''final ever'' show last year?
Probably, but this is an arthouse thing so it's different.
Also, ive definitely decided yes on going to the mindsnare show. See you there fzchk!
Mindsnare at the arty.
You're moshin'
Sunnboyz, we will do the ''pizza maker'' & ''the gorilla'' and my personal favourite ''picking up change''. For reference consult a Sick of It All video near you.
Any chance M+N are going to do an article on the history of the Arty and such?
PS Tickets on sale today for the final shows?
PPS Didn't mean for the last '?'. Was a statement, not a question
mindsnare and MYC tickets purchased!
So bummed I can't get down there for this. H-Block need to come up here and play a show before they put it to bed for good.
Frenzal, MYC, Mindsnare and H-Block tickets all gone
Anyone who has a h-block ticket they would consider selling please contact me at anthonyjryan@gmail.com . My favourite ever band and really disappointed to miss out on tickets. Just name your price.