‘It’s been an amazing 11 years’: Portarlington live music venue Saints & Sailors is closing its doors this month
"It's been an amazing 11 years and your friendship, loyalty and patronage is what made Saints special."
Renowned for boasting beautiful bay views and showcasing the local wines, food, funky original art, retro decor and music of the Bellarine Peninsula, beloved bar, lounge and live music venue Saints & Sailors has announced it will be closing its doors permanently on the first weekend of March.
Located at 36 Newcombe Street, Portarlington, owners Mitch and Michaeli shared the news on social media this week.
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“Dear friends & fans, it’s a tough call but it’s time to say sayonara from us here at Saints. Our last day of trade is this Sunday the 5th of March,” the post reads.
“Before we close the doors, we’d like to welcome you all over the weekend from Friday to Sunday to drink the bar dry. We will do drinks and pizzas on Friday (no band on). Things of Stone & Wood are playing a ticketed show on Sat night. Sunday will be a day of cheers (no tears!) and again simple pizzas and possibly snacks. Come grab a souvenir – all artwork and clothes half price!
“It’s been an amazing 11 years and your friendship, loyalty and patronage is what made Saints special. Unfortunately, we have not been able to sell the business. Thank you again and peace out!”
A favourite on the Bellarine for laid back outings and quality live entertainment, Saints & Sailors was started all the way back in 2011 by Mitch and Michaeli. Mitch’s love of live music and Michaeli’s eclectic love of all things vintage along with her artistic talents were the inspiration behind establishing the venue.
“The idea of opening a live music venue/bar/restaurant somewhere down the coast had always been a bit of a daydream of ours,” Mitch told us, back in 2015.
“After years and years of sitting behind a desk my wife noticed this great old building had come up for lease and she was actually the one who was gutsy enough to say go on, it’s now or never. We both had formed a bit of a shared vision, so we quit our reasonably well paid and comfortable jobs and here we are.”
Good old fashion value for money, a welcoming, laid back vibe and a focus on southern-inspired bar and street cuisine with a nod to the fruits from the beautiful bay is what they prided themselves on. And of course, the amazing musicians who graced their stage every weekend all year round, including the likes of Mick Thomas, Shaun Kirk, Tex Miller, Ukulele Carnival, Chris WIlson & The Pirates of Beer, blues legend Stringybark McDowell, Justin Keenan, Plan B, Matt Joe Gow, and former Reptiles frontman Nick Barker, among many many others.
“We really have been lucky to have had some absolutely fantastic acts over the years. A few memorable shows that come to mind would be the legendary Chris Wilson, blues stalwart Geoff Achison, a seven-piece bluegrass band from Perth called The Seals and a killer solo set from Paul Woseen from the Screaming Jets.”
