Popular Melbourne nightclub Pandora is the latest venue to hit the open market amidst the COVID pandemic.
The South Melbourne club, which is one of few "large capacity" venues in Melbourne with a 24 hour liquor license, has been listed on the Commercial Real Estate website this week with a $250,000 leasehold.
Pandora has hosted big name local and international DJ's over the years including MarLo and UK producer Ben Nicky.
In January, the 500-plus capacity Dorcas Street venue held a massive bushfire appeal event which saw sets from local names including Will Sparks, John Course and Joel Fletcher and raised over $20,000.
CRE Brokers' Lloyd Nunn told The Music that given the large space, it is likely that whoever picks up the venue will continue operating it as a nightclub.
"One positive that can be taken out of this is that as clubs and music venues open, with international travel severely restricted, there is going to be a great opportunity for homegrown bands and DJ's to really impose themselves on the scene," Nunn said.
"Australians need to realise that they have some outstanding talent at home and they need to support that talent rather than the expensive imports."
The news follows the inception of the SOS – Save Our Scene initiative which is urgently calling on government help for Victorian venues.
A survey conducted by Music Victoria and other peak bodies revealed that of the 55 small to medium venues that participated, 42% of operators believe they will have to permanently close if they do not receive government support or are able to open at full capacity by the end of the year.
In recent months, beloved Melbourne live venues like The Spotted Mallard and The Gasometer Hotel have gone up for sale, while Caravan Music Club has also been forced to move on from its home in Bentleigh East.
The Music has contacted Pandora for comment.
Comments