Iconic Fitzroy venue The Night Cat launches campaign against threat of closure
The Night Cat, Fitzroy’s legendary live music venue, faces imminent closure without urgent community backing for essential soundproofing upgrades.
As apartment developments continue to reshape Fitzroy, The Night Cat has launched a desperate bid to comply with escalating noise regulations threatening its very existence. Owner Justin Stanford has initiated a GoFundMe aiming to raise over $60,000 for critical sound upgrades to future-proof the beloved venue.
Check out our gig guide, our stage guide, our festival guide, our live music venue guide and our nightclub guide. Follow us on Instagram here.
View this post on Instagram
“As an independently owned venue, we simply can’t shoulder these costs alone and continue to operate,” said Stanford.
“These upgrades aren’t just about today – they’ll protect The Night Cat for years to come. Live music is at the heart of Fitzroy, and we need to act now to ensure this venue continues to support artists, provide jobs, and bring music lovers together.”
The Night Cat’s 30-year legacy as a cultural cornerstone remains under threat unless substantial funds can be secured for advanced sound monitoring equipment, additional soundproofing and sound-limiting solutions, alongside expert acousticians to implement long-term protections.
With its distinctive 360-degree stage setup creating an intimate atmosphere that’s become the venue’s trademark, The Night Cat has hosted a staggering array of musical talent over three decades.
The venue’s storied walls have welcomed performances from King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, Amyl & The Sniffers, Sister Nancy, Charli XCX, The Pharcyde, Nightmares on Wax, Sampa The Great, The Teskey Brothers, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Allen Stone, Dead Prez, Floating Points, Questlove, Sun Ra Arkestra, and Mayito Rivera among countless others.
Stanford emphasises the venue’s significance extends beyond merely hosting gigs—it represents a crucial incubator for emerging talent and a vital employer within Melbourne’s cultural economy.
The Night Cat’s call for support comes as Melbourne’s live music scene continues its fragile recovery from recent challenges, with independent venues particularly vulnerable to gentrification pressures and increasing compliance costs.
Community members are being urged to contribute whatever they can afford to help preserve this iconic music institution for future generations of artists and music lovers.
Supporters can donate to the campaign here.
