A tale of the accidental live music venue

You know that old story, of the couple who built a brewery and then invertedly created an accessible and enjoyable live music venue?

No, neither, because it probably didn’t exist until now.

For the Healy’s, their year long search in finding the perfect location for their microbrewery operations came to a close when they leased 60 Fitzgerald Street. Originally built in 1907, the building was a social dance hall and was also used by the army as a canteen and wet mess in the 1940’s. It’s more recent operations as a nightclub is still quite memorable for many Geraldton locals who associate that site with a good time.

It took a further 12 months to modify the building for brewing operations, and the couple invested much into the “vibe” of the building with marine themed decor, an arcade room, comfortable booths, large historical ship paintings and murals, and a glass fence which runs the length of the microbrewery so you can see up close the beverage brewing process. Two of the large vats where completed brews are stored before kegging and canning have lines that run straight to the taps at the bar!

An output of the process is spent mash. We wrote this whole article just so we could share this cute photo of cows enjoying the “waste” product.

Okay, less talk of beer and cows, back to live music.

The building has had extensions added to the front and back, the back is the microbrewery and Titanic-esque ‘King of the World’ insta backdrop mural by Phil Doncon, and the front is what’s fast becoming known as an accessible live music venue for local and travelling artists and comedians.

“We renovated this nightclub dancefloor space as a blank canvas, imagining family celebrations, group workshops and award ceremonies, not even thinking about how the stage and large hall-like room is perfect for bands and other live acts.” Lyn Healy, Proprietor.

Since opening in 2022, the venue has hosted local acts like Karloo Rockers and Geoff Udy. And through the grapevine regularly gets calls from touring comedians and even risqué male entertainment troupes.

The Batavia Brewing team are welcoming and supportive hosts, helping with marketing and local resources, converting nearly every enquiry to venue booking and subsequent gig. As word gets out, we expect to see this venue hosting live acts regularly.

So, if you’re looking for a venue in Geraldton where you can play for crowds of up to 150 that has a bar, with a great selection of in-house brews, and plenty of parking but no booking fees….well, this might be the stage for you.

Visit the Batavia Brewing website to learn more about the venue and brews: https://www.bataviabrewing.com.au/

Batavia Brewing is hosting the Xhalisse Album Launch on June 14th! Get your tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/from-the-other-side-xhalisse-album-launch-show