Australian Live Music Venue Solbar to Close Permanently
Sunshine Coast live music venue Solbar in Queensland, Australia, has announced it will permanently close its doors this weekend, ending more than two decades of operation.
In a statement shared on 24 February, the venue’s owners confirmed that Solbar will cease trading after Saturday, 28 February. The announcement follows the recent closure of another Sunshine Coast venue, The Station, last month.
“The decision has not been made lightly, nor quickly; we’ve fought hard right up to the point that this has become the only available option,” the Solbar team said.
Operators cited ongoing industry-wide challenges, including inflation, rising operating costs and declining attendance, as key factors impacting independent regional venues.
Co-owner and co-founder Dimitris Limnatitis said Solbar was founded out of “a genuine passion for live music” and highlighted the venue’s role in supporting emerging artists. “We’ve watched artists take their first steps on our stage and go on to perform on the world stage, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of,” he said.
Entertainment Manager Melissa O’Bryan also acknowledged the venue’s contribution to the local music ecosystem, noting its work with artists, sound engineers, hospitality staff and other industry professionals over the past 15 years.
The venue will host its final events this week, including an open mic night on Wednesday and a comedy night on Thursday. Authority Zero’s scheduled performance on Friday will proceed as planned.
A performance by The 046, originally scheduled for Saturday, has been cancelled.
Solbar’s final trading night will take place on Saturday, with patrons invited to attend and mark the venue’s closure.