Sydney’s iconic, hard-rocking Lansdowne Hotel has announced its pending retirement from live music, in favour of budget accommodation.
The striking three-level pub is on City Road, close to the corner of Broadway and opposite Victoria Park, which skirts Sydney University.
After years of uncertainty and closure stemming from Sydney’s crippling lockout laws, the famous live music pub was refurbished and reopened mid-2017 under operation by Mary’s Group, fronted by Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham.
The evolved layout put the new performance space upstairs, decked with state-of-the-art sound equipment and acoustics far superior to the classic pub gig, earning high praise from musicians.
Since its relaunch the pub has again become a hub for up-and-coming bands and performers, local and touring acts, running shows throughout the week, under a rocking 5am license.
The Mary’s Group lease is due to expire in coming months, and the freehold owner of the pub, their landlord, has made the decision to convert the first floor music space into hostel accommodation.
In a statement, Smyth and Graham lament that this was not their vision for the Hotel and that they have opted to not renew the lease, but will oversee scheduled shows until the end of their tenure at the end of April.
“We are heartbroken to announce that our time with the beloved Lansdowne Hotel is coming to an end,“ read the announcement from Mary’s Live (full statement below).
The news comes as Mary’s foresaw the coming year to be one of the pub’s busiest yet, citing the growing community passionate about supporting music, art and culture.
Demise of the Lansdowne is a massive blow for the live music industry, still reeling from two years of stagnated work, venue restrictions, limited support and general uncertainty. This follows news of underground music eatery Frankie’s Pizza closing in the hope of relocating, under similar developmental pressure at its site near Circular Quay.
The Mary’s Group still run Mary’s Underground, also near Circular Quay, and are vowing to continue their quest to support the live music industry and “create spaces for the voices of our glorious city to emerge”.