Shortly following the announcement of its sale by receivers, Paddington’s Captain Cook Hotel has been put into drydock, taking its final curtain call over the weekend.
Built 1914 on the corner of Flinders Street and Moore Park Road, opposite what would become the football stadium and Sydney Cricket Ground, the Captain Cook has long entertained a reputation for live music, even rocking Green Day for the ‘Secret Soundwave Sideshow’ during its centenary in 2014.
The four-storey building stands on a 543sqm lot, offering public bar and music room, bistro, gaming, and 22 accommodation rooms on the upper levels, tenanted through an agreement with Clover Backpackers.
Currently Allianz Stadium next door is being rebuilt, with thousands of sports spectators replaced by armies of tradies. The Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust suggest completion will be in 2022, bringing a new 45,000-seat world-class venue.
The Cook, set a few blocks off main drag Oxford Street, has like most Sydney venues suffered the decline of live music brought on largely due to the lockout law curfew, which greatly reduced performance hours in these premises. In recognition of this, venues hosting live music were given a token additional half-hour, no longer allowing patrons in after 2am.
In early July Jirsch Sutherland Insolvency announced the vendor sale of the leasehold, with reports the leaseholder was preoccupied with other business interests.
MQ & Associates was appointed to market the leasehold interest, showing 17 years remaining, but with no price guidance offered.
Reflecting the relationship breakdown with the freeholders, the Captain Cook’s remaining stakeholders have now been shut out following a gig on Saturday night featuring psych rock outfit Space Dude, supported by Heartlake and Full Park.
Social media from the pub revealed it has been forced to cancel all upcoming gigs, citing “Negative stadium media, non-support of the live music model and our lack of priority of the pokies” for its ultimate demise.
‘Seadog Darren’ offered apologies to fans and booked bands, explaining the decision was not theirs.
He reflected that the pub’s role at the coalface was its best work, and its legacy.
“Whilst we’ve had big bands here etc it’s been the ground level bands and performers coming through that made it worthwhile.
“We sincerely hope The Cook can be remembered for the time and investment we put into supporting original live music. It’s a tough gig!”
Agents report the sales process continues, with a result potentially to be announced in the near future.
