The John Curtin Hotel

The John Curtin Hotel, better known as The Curtin, is a pub, bar, and live music venue located in Carlton, Victoria, Australia.

The John Curtin Hotel
The Curtin photographed in March 2022
Former namesThe Lygon Hotel
Alternative namesThe Curtin
General information
TypeMusic venue
LocationCarlton, Victoria
Address29 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053
Coordinates37.806215°S 144.965774°E / -37.806215; 144.965774 (The John Curtin Hotel)
Openedc1860
Official nameJohn Curtin Hotel
Criteriaa., g.
Designated6 April 2023

Founded c1860, the pub was first named The Lygon Hotel and was renamed The John Curtin Hotel in 1971 after Australia's 14th prime minister, John Curtin. It is known as a meeting place for the Labor party, and remained popular among members of the labour movement due to the Victorian Trades Hall building being across the road.[1][2][3][4]

In 1975 the Australian Council of Trades Unions announced plans to buy the building for approximately $500,000 and redevelop it.[5][6]

The venue was nominated in the Music Victoria Awards category for Best Venue (Under 500 Capacity) in 2016 and 2017.[7]

The building features an upstairs 300 person capacity bandroom, and is currently home to Sonny's Fried Chicken and Burgers, serving American-style food.[8][9]

In 2020, the pub's owner Ben Russell was forced to close the bandroom and cancel all upcoming gigs due to government restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic. They continued to serve food and drinks, but he said business had suffered.[10]

In February 2022 the pub's managers announced their lease would expire in November after the owner had decided to sell the building.[2] Beat noted The Curtin's closure and uncertain future was part of an ongoing trend in Melbourne, with many live music venues forced to close.[11]

Following the pub's announcement, unions once again discussed purchasing the building. The sale is being managed by commercial real estate agency CBRE.[12]

The building was protected by the City of Melbourne’s heritage overlay so that it couldn't be demolished completely, but could be partially demolished, leaving the original façade and allowing new apartments to be built.[13] In April 2023, the pub was listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.[14]

References
  1. "John Curtin Hotel, 27-31 Lygon Street, Carlton". City of Melbourne Libraries. 1999. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  2. Sakkal, Paul (15 February 2022). "Bid to save historic Carlton pub steeped in Labor history". The Age. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  3. Cowie, Tom (17 May 2019). "Three beers for Bob: Shorten swings by Hawke's old stomping ground". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  4. Wright, Tony (18 February 2022). "Evensong at The Confessional: Tales from the John Curtin Hotel". The Age. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  5. "Victorian unions to buy hotel". The Canberra Times. 19 November 1975. p. 3. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  6. "Unions to buy hotel". The Canberra Times. 17 April 1976. p. 7. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  7. "Previous Winners & Nominees". Music Victoria. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  8. "The Curtin | John Curtin Hotel". www.onlymelbourne.com.au. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  9. "The John Curtin Hotel". Broadsheet. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  10. "Fears Melbourne will lose its live music venues". ABC News. 19 March 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  11. "The Curtin Hotel set to close as building sold to developers". Beat Magazine. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
  12. "After 160 years, it might be last drinks at 'the Curtin'". ABC News. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
  13. Donovan, Patrick (19 February 2022). "Blue eyes: Curtin Hotel's fate an omen for our unique music scene". The Age. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  14. "John Curtin Hotel". Victorian Heritage Database. Heritage Victoria. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
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