Canberra’s Transit Bar Closes After 19 Years Amid Liquidation

Canberra’s beloved Transit Bar has officially shut its doors and entered liquidation after nearly 20 years as a cornerstone of the city’s live music scene.

As reported by The Canberra Times, Transit Bar Pty Ltd, the venue’s operators, ceased trading on Tuesday, February 11th, with liquidation proceedings kicking off the following day. Events were cancelled at the last minute, including an open mic comedy night that was axed just 30 minutes before showtime. Valentine's Day-themed gigs scheduled for 13th and 14th February were also called off, and the venue’s website now shows no upcoming events.

The venue’s closure comes after a difficult period for many in the industry, with Transit Bar unable to escape the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, rising inflation, and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Frank Lo Pilato, the appointed liquidator from RSM Australia, explained the financial pressures were no different to those facing other businesses, with customers tightening their budgets.

“They're probably like any other businesses that have been affected by the inflationary pressures, and people [are] just looking at their spending budgets and being very careful with that," Pilato said. 

Transit Bar originally shut in 2020 due to the pandemic but reopened in a new location in January 2021 under fresh management. It moved from its Akuna Street basement space to Bailey’s Arcade on London Circuit, occupying the old Hog’s Breath Café site. The venue closed again during lockdowns before relaunching in 2022.

Over the years, the bar played host to a stacked lineup of homegrown talent, including acts like Lime Cordiale, Genesis Owusu, Amyl and The Sniffers, Telenova, COTERIE, Diamond Construct, Thy Art Is Murder, Zebrahead, The Chats, Teen Jesus and The Jean Teasers, and more.

The closure of Transit Bar marks the end of an era for Canberra's live music and entertainment community.