Piano Bar Geelong permanent venue to close

The Little Malop Street nightlife hotspot confirmed the news yesterday.

Geelong’s favourite spot for piano serenades, hit pop anthems singalongs, hen’s night, drag bingo, and a whole lot of dancing, Piano Bar Geelong, is shutting its doors.

In a reel posted to Instagram, yesterday Sunday 26 April, owner Andy Pobjoy, announced the establishments plans to continue only in pop-up event form following an 11 years venue residency in the heart of Geelong.

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In the reel he stated, “After nearly 11 years of Piano Bar Geelong, we’ve made the decision that it is time to close this chapter of the business. We opened the doors back in 2015 with no hospitality experience, just a piano and a crazy idea, and somehow it turned into thousands of nights of music, connection and moments that I don’t think any of us will ever forget. We’ve watched friendships form, relationships begin, huge celebrations, quiet catch-ups, and countless nights where the whole room comes together and sings like nothing else matters. And honestly that’s all because of you.”

He continues, “Now this isn’t the end just yet. Over the next couple of months, we’re going to properly celebrate what Piano Bar has been, a chance for us all to come back, sing the songs, and fill the room one more time.”

While the physical venue will be closing, the Piano Bar spirit will live on, in events, pop-up’s and activations across the Geelong city and surrounds.

“So while the venue itself is closing, Piano Bar isn’t going anywhere. We’ll be moving into more pop-ups, takeovers, and shows at other venues. So this isn’t goodbye. It’s just a change of format. But for now this is our last run in the room.”

Whilst no closing date has been decided yet, there are only a handful of chances for Geelongians to gather at the Little Malop Street space, to take on the big voices of Adele, Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Cyndi Lauper, Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, and so many more.

From their multi-level Malop Street beginnings to their big move into the Little Malop Street hospitality hotspot, the music is always bouncing, the singalongs are always big and the laughs are always loud. Whether its the hilarious innuendos that underscore the popular Drag bingo nights, or friends sharing in the euphoria of whole-body belting, there venue has been a special and safe space for the local community, particularly the LGBTQIA+ community.

As a favourite for functions including hens parties, birthdays, end of year work parties, engagements, and everything in between, Piano Bar’s permanent Geelong location leave a massive gap in our local nightlife scene. Extending on this, the venue has also doubled as a spot for musicians to launch albums, EP’s and singles, or jump up on the mic to practice their performing chops. The venue will be missed.

But as Pobjoy stated, this is not the end, merely a shift in delivery. As Piano Bar morphs into their pop-up form, be sure to continue your support for a beloved fixture of the events and entertainment scene.

To book a table for one last hurrah at Piano Bar, head here.