A New Era for Blute's Bar

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Fortitude Valley's favourite karaoke haunt is cranking up the volume. Blute's Bar, long known for its boisterous singalongs and late-night revelry, is officially entering a new era, announcing it will now host live music five nights a week, with programming spearheaded by Alyssa and Keeley from BallPoint Press, the visionary team behind the late, great Bearded Lady.

Following the recent and heartbreaking closure of The Bearded Lady, the team behind BallPoint Press have found a new home and a new heartbeat in Blute's. Having made a powerful impact at The Beardo with initiatives like "Keep The Lady Loud" and high-energy programming that drew loyal crowds and near-record sales, Alyssa and Keeley are bringing that same community-driven passion to their next chapter.

"It's incredibly important that we all don't lie back and accept losing another venue in Brisbane – having Blute's restate its long-held position of being a hotbed for local original music is fantastic news." " Kris Stewart, CEO, QMusic

"This felt like more than a move, it felt like a responsibility," the pair say. "With The Bearded Lady closing, Brisbane lost a stage that meant so much to so many. Blute's gives us the chance to keep that spirit alive, while building something new."

Blute's first opened in 2018 and quickly built a reputation for its late-night karaoke chaos and quirky charm. Over the years, it flirted with live gigs from Rock 'n' Roll BBQ Sundays to BIGSOUND showcases but never committed. That changes now.

"It's incredibly exciting to see another live music venue open its doors in Brisbane, especially under the guidance of The Happy Horsemen " the team behind Stay Gold, The Brightside, and Black Bear Lodge, all of which have become cornerstones of the Australian music community. Their commitment to nurturing live music is unmatched, and the addition of Blute's continues that legacy." " Andrew Perumalla, Destroy All Lines

"We're not abandoning karaoke," says the Blute's team. "We're evolving. Gigs will wrap early, karaoke kicks off after. The mic never cools down." It's a seamless fusion of two nightlife staples, designed to keep both artists and partygoers satisfied and the venue sustainable.

At its core, the new Blute's is about supporting emerging talent, creating inclusive spaces, and building a dynamic ecosystem that feeds into sister venues Black Bear Lodge and The Brightside. Together, the three venues form a developmental pipeline for Brisbane's artists from their first gig to full-fledged headliner.

"I highly endorse the team at Happy Horseman. As owner of Handshake MGMT, I have had a number of my artists perform at their venues and found them to be some of the best operators in Australia. They have a commitment to creating safe spaces for both artists and fans, and their marketing support has been invaluable." " Leigh Treweek, Handshake MGMT

"We want artists to grow with us," say Alyssa and Keeley. "To feel at home here, whether it's their debut show or a late-night residency."

Live programming will spotlight diverse genres, inclusive lineups, and underrepresented voices, offering audiences an ever-evolving calendar of performances that reflect Brisbane's vibrant music scene. Expect residencies, recurring nights, and community collaborations designed with longevity and meaning in mind.

Blute's transformation is more than just another live venue opening, it's a statement. In a time when stages are closing and opportunities shrinking, Blute's is pushing forward, amplifying voices, and doubling down on what makes Brisbane special: its music, its community, and its chaos, in all the best ways.

Live bookings are now open, and artists or agents are encouraged to reach out via bookings@blutesbar.com. Launch programming will begin rolling out in the coming month.

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A New Era for Blute's Bar

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