The John Curtin Hotel Explained

The John Curtin Hotel
Former Names:The Lygon Hotel
Alternate Names:The Curtin
Location:Carlton, Victoria
Address:29 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053
Opened Date:c1860
Coordinates:-37.8062°N 144.9658°W
Map Dot Label:The John Curtin Hotel
Building Type:Music venue
Embedded:
Embed:yes
Designation1:Victorian Heritage Register
Designation1 Offname:John Curtin Hotel
Designation1 Criteria:a., g.
Designation1 Date:6 April 2023

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

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. 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]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1999. John Curtin Hotel, 27-31 Lygon Street, Carlton. 2022-02-15. City of Melbourne Libraries.
  2. Web site: Sakkal. Paul. 2022-02-15. Bid to save historic Carlton pub steeped in Labor history. 2022-02-15. The Age. en.
  3. Web site: Cowie. Tom. 2019-05-17. Three beers for Bob: Shorten swings by Hawke's old stomping ground. 2022-02-15. The Sydney Morning Herald. en.
  4. Web site: Wright. Tony. 2022-02-18. Evensong at The Confessional: Tales from the John Curtin Hotel. 2022-02-19. The Age. en.
  5. News: 1975-11-19. Victorian unions to buy hotel. 3. The Canberra Times. 2022-02-15.
  6. News: 1976-04-17. Unions to buy hotel. 7. The Canberra Times. 2022-02-15.
  7. Web site: Previous Winners & Nominees. 2022-02-15. Music Victoria. en-AU.
  8. Web site: The Curtin John Curtin Hotel. 2022-02-15. www.onlymelbourne.com.au.
  9. Web site: The John Curtin Hotel. 2022-02-15. Broadsheet. en.
  10. News: 2020-03-19. Fears Melbourne will lose its live music venues. en-AU. ABC News. 2022-02-15.
  11. Web site: 2022-02-15. The Curtin Hotel set to close as building sold to developers. 2022-02-15. Beat Magazine. en-AU.
  12. News: 2022-02-16. After 160 years, it might be last drinks at 'the Curtin'. en-AU. ABC News. 2022-02-16.
  13. Web site: Donovan. Patrick. 2022-02-19. Blue eyes: Curtin Hotel's fate an omen for our unique music scene. 2022-02-19. The Age. en.
  14. Web site: John Curtin Hotel . Victorian Heritage Database . Heritage Victoria . 5 June 2023.