Venue Review: The Eastern
Hello those that love my lame article introductions, Daniel here with an account of what’s been happening at the venue trading under the name “The Eastern” these days. Located at 81 Humffray Street, North Ballarat, The Eastern has changed hands many times over the years (previously known as Eastern Station Hotel) and has had many different owners’ gimmicks in promoting itself (the previous owners had an article in Ballarat’s local newspaper titled “Australia’s Most Haunted Hotel”).
The current publicans, Erin and Luke Matheson, haven’t taken the pub down the ghostly path but rather gone for a more down to earth feel. Making it about the music, the drink, and more importantly, the people (because sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name…). And it’s certainly looking that way, with a more personal approach to their running sheet of ‘What’s On’: when reading it you’ll be more taken in by first name hosts and DJs, and not entirely bombarded with band names in bold text. That’s not to say The Eastern doesn’t have its share of awesome live bands though. This month has already seen both local and city bands playing a variety of music. Saturday the 7th of June had Waltz, Morning After Morning and Tartarus play an awesome night of music; Saturday the 14th had Melbourne bands Twin Ages, A Gazillion Angry Mexicans and Swamp Moth play a gratuitous amount of eargasms; and the 21st had local grunge band Vinegar Hill and local punk rockers 80 Hundred both supporting punk/hardcore outfit Wolf Ticket.
Supporting local and touring acts and society in general, isn’t where the ball stops rolling for Erin and Luke; they’re well invested in the arts society also, being the owners of the Wolveschildren Art Space gallery directly next door. Often functions held there will spill over into the bar and when it does the place gets even friendlier.
One time I was at the bar in March and they had Spektraflash Vintage Event Lighting catering to the band room, with four different oil wheel lights set up providing a psychedelic effect to the room and band playing (the band was The Electric SunKings, so extremely suitable lighting). The Wolveschildren Art Space recently displayed the Skate or Die: Group Skate Deck Exhibition exhibiting many different skateboard decks brandishing designs from a variety of skaters and artists.
So if you’re looking for a new local to attend and discover many different artists, musicians and generally interesting people, try out The Eastern one night and relax with a drink by the fire, or make the journey next door and bear witness to some inspiring local art. You won’t regret it.
The Eastern can be found on Facebook at ‘facebook.com/easternballarat’.
The Wolveschildren Art Space can also be found on Facebook at ‘facebook.com/wolveschildren’.
What’s On at The Eastern:
Thursday, 26th June – Adam Carrol and Corey Cozza, followed by Open Mic.
Friday, 27th June – 23rd of Elvis.
Saturday, 28th June – DEAD, Tsugnarly and Onion Engine.
Sunday, 29th June – Free live music from 3 p.m.
Thursday, 3rd July – Dave Savage, followed by Open Mic.
Friday, 4thJuly – DJ Bren.
Saturday, 5th July – Michael Plater, Pioneers of Good Science, Matt Malone, Cabin Inn, The Mersons and 23rd of Elvis.
Sunday, 6thJuly – Free live music from 3 p.m.
Written by Daniel Lock
