Tucked away on Johnston Street in Fitzroy, The Old Bar is Melbourne’s go-to for late‑night live music and scrappy cultural vitality. Established in 2001 in a circa-1903 building, this venue prides itself on hosting independent punk, rock, folk, country, experimental and hardcore acts nightly - many with free entry on weekdays, and free weekend arvo shows. Step inside and you're greeted by a dingy, poster-laden interior, low stage with stage-diving legends, and a packed crowd fuelled by $10 pints from all 14 taps during happy hour (3pm and 6pm weekdays) and $10 mystery shots. Upstairs, the Old Bar Gallery offers art events and craft nights like “Crotchety Knitwits,” enhancing the community spirit. Owned by a team invested in local culture, the venue supports residencies and underground gigs—from noise and metal to indie-pop and country twang. It’s also active in community initiatives—benefit shows, pub-footy Unicorns team, and advocacy for live-music rights. Open daily from 3 PM to 3 AM, The Old Bar embodies Fitzroy counterculture: dive-bar grit, inclusive scene, tight-knit crowd, and raw authenticity. Whether you're there for a $10 pint, a surprise underground band, or a late-night karaoke/Morbid Monday gig, it’s the beating punk heart of the inner city, quintessentially Melbourne.
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