Last drinks at Laruche: Valley club under a cloud as owner leaves

A Fortitude Valley bar that has been a stalwart of Brisbane’s nightlife for 13 years will close its doors as the owner leaves the district.

Laruche Bar has announced its closure, inviting party-goers to say “goodbye to a Brisbane icon” on Sunday, February 26.

“An iconic Brisbane venue that has meant so much to the underground scene is closing its doors,” the Ann Street club announced on social media.

Many bar-goers expressed their sadness at the closure, with some saying it was devastating as so many memories had been made there, and it played the “best music in Brisbane by a MILE”.

However, Laruche owner Geoffrey Slater said while the name would be gone with him, the “music will still be there”.

“It will be closed for renovations for a few of months ... [under new owners] it will be a whole new and exciting venture,” he said.

Slater took ownership of the venue in 2019, just before the social restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic hit clubs hard.

Lockdowns affected patronage, then interest rates soared.

“We were given an offer by a successful Melbourne club operator to buy it, and they have the funds to renovate, where I don’t,” Slater said.

“I know everyone is worried about the music but [the buyers are] going to invest in keeping it the same.

“It’s been one thing after another, and I’ve never owned a venue like this before.

“A lot of the bigger groups have the ability to expand.

“Inflation isn’t helping bars and clubs, but the good thing is, people are still going out.”

But owning a popular club has come with highs as well as lows. Asked about the best times, Slater laughed and said there were too many to name.

But he mentioned that the club had hosted drag queen events, at which someone performed a risque move in stilettos while standing on the bar, “which was crazy”.

“We’ve also had some local gangster short movies and music videos filmed here.

“It’s been a really interesting few years, and I’ve had some wonderful young people who have kept it alive, especially when things have been tough.”

Slater encouraged everyone to support the event – “a 16-hour project between Bakery Lane and Laruche” – on February 26 before the venue shuts its doors.

Entertainment will be from Stefano Noferini, Mattia Musella, Rascal, Christian Kerr, Ross Kent and Vanessa Testa at Bakery Lane from midday until 10pm.

Laruche will host Sequence, Jay Berry and CSP Soundz from 10pm to 3.30am.