Breaking: Geelong's The Nash To Close
News posted Thursday, October 18 2012 at 12:00 PM.
Related: National Hotel.
Geelong’s beloved National Hotel – fondly known by locals as “The Nash” – will cease to operate as a live venue effective next month.
After much speculation, event manager Al O’Neill confirmed the news on Facebook today. It’ll host its final show on November 10.
“The reason the venue is closing is not financial, nor did we not have enough punters through the doors,” read the statement. “The venue is closing as the structural integrity of the foundations supporting the building has been compromised and the council has issued an order to the landlords to commence major works to investigate whether these foundations can be repaired.”
If those issues can be resolved, there may be hope for the future of The Nash just yet. However, O’Neill maintained that the outcome at this stage it “out of our hands”.
While the pub itself may continue to operate after November 10, he said the venue had to “bite the bullet” and confirm an end date for shows as operators didn’t want to inconvenience bands. “Pulling the pin on it now seems a better option rather than having 48 hours notice to close the building down and leaving a lot of touring bands with no options,” he said.
O’Neill, who estimated some 2000 bands have performed in his seven year tenure, said he wanted to thank everyone involved in the venue – from the sound engineers to the punters and DJs. He implored people to come pay their respects to the Nash by attending a show in its final few weeks.
“I will miss the place terribly,” he wrote. “I have seen some amazing bands over the years and the venue has opened up so many doors for me. I cannot thank everyone enough for the amazing memories I will have for the rest of my life.”
The origins of the Heritage-listed National Hotel can be traced back to 1856. It was purchased by Carlton United Breweries and rebuilt in 1944.
Upcoming gigs include Henry Wagons, Royston Vasie, House Vs Hurricane and Yung Warriors. The Nash is located at 195 Moorabool Street, Geelong.
(via FasterLouder)
+
Is it possible to hear a sitar without immediately thinking ‘raga’? No…
Melbourne’s Alpine have covered Radiohead’s ‘Just’ for the A.V. Club’s…
Band: Designer Mutts.
Members: Mark Spence (vocals, baritone guitar, …
Farrrrrrk
Bummer. Not the greatest venue, but capable of pulling some pretty big acts. Hopefully the noodle bar will live on.
Another pub must start serving dim sims in the front bar to restore the balance.
dang!
I knew those dumb bastards were a load of incompetent shits.
now there's officially no reason to ever visit Geelong.
Rod McBan said 48 minutes ago:
I knew those dumb bastards were a load of incompetent shits.
What? Who? The builders? Or the council?
I tried to sleep upstairs there once on a Friday night in the backpackers and go down to Queenscliff Music Festival on the bus, not too smart.
Barwon Club! I even had a bus drop me off at the front door when he was going back to the depot. McHarry's is a pretty cool dude.
As the reasons for closing are for structural damage, please elaborate on whether you mean the building or the council, to back up your eloquent statement.
Fixed that for you
Thank you Temet, the statement is very defamatory.
Well I know for a fact that it's never been managed well by the owners, and the money was seldom put to good use. People kept quitting because they were sick of the shit there. The bastards wouldn't even repair a broken window.
That's all.
Sorry to interrupt the circle-jerk. I don't think I can be sued for disliking stuff.
I hope the people who liked the noodles realised that if you sat out the back long enough, every night you were guaranteed to see rats running along the pipes into the kitchen.
So yeah. Blame me, or the incompetence of the OH&S and the managers of the pub and the fact it's a hang-out for wasters.
I'd like to hope they're gonna take this opportunity to turn it into an actual, decent hotel again. And maybe even put down some rat sack and hire someone to gas the pigeons that live in the roof instead of making the staff clean out the bird shit.
I love the Nash, but it's not very well-run.
I stopped going there because of a broken window they refused to fix. Bastards.
I stopped going because of the crazy weirdos and the lack of hygiene.
Also because half the people who worked there were dicks, and the other half were bone-weary with the effort of doing all the actual work.
Also Melburnians trying to big-note people who do not give a fuck.
A fucking Geelong institution, a pillar of the community, and now this.
If there's another venue in Geelong that wants to book Useless Eaters from Nashville, USA then get in touch by PM'ing me! November 17th or 18th.
Call the Old Bar. You'll use less petrol and get more people. Even on a Monday.
now there's officially no reason to ever visit Geelong.
except to see Neil young and crazy horse of course : ]
THIS IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED
IT IS EVEN BETTER THAN WHEN THEY PUT THE HOBBIT ON DOWN HERE
YE$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Calm down shout a lot. Most gigs have migrated to the BC anyway.
Crushed. Soooo many memories, friends, hook ups and bands seen.
I know, it was a really good place and meant a lot to so many people. Can't believe I first started going there 7 years ago!
Did you make it to any of its last days? Was just talking about you the other day, runaredlight!, and the funny memories of a party that Bianca had and the mischief you used to get up to.
Can spit the distance to the Bended Elbow, go there.
My shouting was in response to:
Because Neil Young is playing in Waurn Ponds.
WAURN PONDS
I quite liked the Nash and was sad to see it go
By ''quite liked'' I mean ''went there all the time and wasted all my money on the suspiciously addictive cheap beer while chatting to amiable blowhards''.
ANYWAY
NEIL YOUNG
AND
CRAZY
HORSE
TimChuma: no need, looks like Al is most likely taking over Barwon club booking, so that will mean going there instead. The Nash was fun but the people made it good, so they'll prob make the BC good as well.
Fuck I hope this is true about Al.