Queensland's Solbar Announces Permanent Closure After Two Decades

Iconic Sunshine Coast venue Solbar has announced it is closing its doors permanently this weekend.

In a post shared to social media, the venue said 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," they wrote.

"For over two decades, Solbar has been a Sunny Coast institution. It’s been a home, a community, a place where lifelong friendships were formed, where first gigs turned into careers, and where thousands of unforgettable nights unfolded," the post reads.

"Many of our team have spent years and years of their lives here, some well over a decade. We’ve grown up in this venue together. We’ve poured everything we had into it; every show, every late night, every encore, every quiet moment after the ugly-lights came on. This isn’t just the end of a business. It’s the end of an era for us, and we know it is for so many of you too.

"The live music industry is facing challenges unlike anything we’ve seen before, and while this decision has not come easily, we are endlessly proud of what this community has created together for so long."

Solbar thanked artists, team members, and patrons for being part of "the story", and confirmed they will put on one last farewell gig this Saturday (February 28th) with local bands playing all night.

They'll be auctioning off priceless pieces of Solbar’s story, drinking the bar dry, singing, dancing, laughing, and probably crying too. "BYO tissues," they wrote.

Read the full post below.

Since opening its doors in the early 2000s, Solbar has been a cornerstone of Australia’s East-Coast touring circuit, playing a vital role in nurturing local talent while hosting the likes of Powderfinger, Grinspoon, The Presets, Ball Park Music, and Amy Shark.

It has long been regarded as a cultural hub, a place where live music on the Coast found its heartbeat.

Solbar has confirmed ticket holders for any upcoming shows will be contacted by Oztix. Shows will either be rehomed with the option of a refund, or will be automatically refunded.