One of Melbourne's most popular spaces throughout the '80s and '90s is set to be relaunched as a brand new live music venue.
Australian chef Shannon Bennett and Grollo Group CEO Lorenz Grollo have teamed up to transform the 170-year-old ex Showgirls Bar 20 into the Geddes Lane Ballroom which will open to the public in the coming months and is to be booked by Ben Thompson and Ashlea O'Loughlin (The Venue Collective, 170 Russell, East Brunswick Club).
“We’re excited to be bringing live music back to one of Melbourne’s most popular venues throughout the '80s and '90s”, Thompson said.
“It’s been a hidden gem, centrally located, close to trains and trams and a big carpark with a fantastic tried-and-tested band room. We're doing some acoustic treatments, putting in a world class PA and cleaning the place up. Live music fans will love it.
"With the loss of so many live music venues over the last 10 years including quality smaller rooms like Ding Dong Lounge and Shebeen, there aren't many options out there. People need the option to come into the city and experience original live music. The venue will be open to all conceivable genres of music from local, national and international acts and we have some surprise shows planned for summer.”
As well as showcasing high quality live music, Geddes Lane Ballroom will also offer an exemplary food and drinks list.
Grollo said of the venue's launch, "Geddes Lane Ballroom is an initiative under our King Street Revival (KSR) project.
"We’re passionate about cleaning up King Street, ‘one pole at a time’, and delivering a fun and safe food and entertainment precinct for all Melburnians to enjoy. For too long King Street has been known for all the wrong reasons. We’re now going to put it back on the map for reasons we can be proud of.
"Geddes Lane Ballroom, alongside our King Street Residency & Bar (artist residency for and curated by prominent street art and fine art muralist Cam Scale), are the first big steps on our KSR journey.”
The venue's calendar is now open for bookings; keep up to date with news and show announces here.
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