The beloved Ballarat venue and home of bands, burgers, beers and bucs has shut its doors.
As the end of the year kicks in, so too do the end of all good things for venue The Eastern who have officially closed their doors following seven years of operation under the current licensee.
Citing a rough run, the regional venue located in the heart of Ballarat on Humffray Street has ended its time as the premier local music and meets venue for the region.
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The statement posted to their Facebook page as released on 10 December read:
“With infinite sadness, we write this to say our time at The Eastern has come to an end. We want to say a massive thank you to every single person that has been a part of this great community, it’s been everything. We’re very sorry to say it’s over, and there’ll be no last dance. We’ve tried our best to hold on through a period we’d rather forget but we’re tired and all things must end.
“Damn, we’re going to miss all those bands, beers, burgers, bucs and even the Shady’s…so many Shady’s.
“We love this community and will miss not being there for you each week but can’t wait to catch you at a show somewhere soon.”
Over their seven year run under current licensee Matt Stone, the corner pub served up 2500 shows, countless Shady Lady liquid golds and has been a massive champion of the local music and arts community.
From their annual clothing, art, music and creative sale, Eastern Market, to zine making workshops, The Eastern has continually stayed at the forefront of Ballarat’s emerging artist community. Weekly gigs wrangled in a budding community of music enthusiasts and local acts with The Eastern known as the place for local bands to get their start.
RATFEST became a landmark event on The Eastern’s annual calendar, bringing in a lineup of the best bands from across the region and removed. This years RATFEST saw Gut Health, Exek, Dr Sure’s Unusual Practice, Screensaver, Druid Fluids, Premium Fantasy, Pyrex, Pasiflorez, Couch Wizard, Dipodium, Adored, Hooper Cresent, The Med Heads, Loose Content, The Thing From Spring and Hoff and the Night Riders infest the pub in a sonic slaughter.
The Eastern sadly joins a list of regional venues and hospitality spaces who have shut their doors in 2024, including Pistol Pete’s Food n Blues and Home House in Geelong, and Daylesford’s Palais-Hepburn.
Unfortunately there is no giant send-off for The Eastern as it reaches the end of its era. But the venue, local hang and band beacon will be remembered forever.
