The Tote will reopen

[nicky]

on Queens birthday weekend. This is great news for Melbourne's live music scene.

Deep down i had a feeling this would happen.



http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/ho...s-set-to-re-open/story-e6frf7jo-1225852517569

 

[omit]

so who gets the first set?

 

[nicky]

No idea. They want to do a street festival party for it's opening (which i'm all for)

What concerns me is their plans to renovate. I like unrenovated pubs. Every good pub is renovated and turns shit.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

Tote to reopen
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2010/04/12/2870218.htm
By Simon Leo Brown


The Tote Hotel, the iconic Melbourne music venue which closed its doors in January, looks likely to reopen under new management.

Seventh Tipple, who own a number of other live music venues in Melbourne's north, have negotiated a new lease on the premises with building owner Christopher Morris.

The closure of the Tote, which the previous owner claims was due to the State Government's liquor licensing regime, prompted two protest rallies.

The first protest outside the Tote Hotel attracted 4000 people. More than 10,000 people attended a "save live music" protest march in the city.

Jon Perring, who is a partner in Seventh Tipple, told 774's Jon Faine that pretty much nothing will change although the venue's legendary sticky carpet has been removed.

"We've hired the previous band booker so it's going to be pretty similar to what was going on," he says.

There is still some doubt as to whether the venue will keep its name.

"We're just negotiating that," says Jon. "We'd like it to be called the Tote."

He says that Seventh Tipple will be applying for an exemption from the "high-risk" license conditions that had been placed on the premises.

Venues hosting live amplified music were required to put on extra security staff under the State Government's revamped Liquor Licensing regime.

Following the outcry over the closure of the Tote, Victorian Premier John Brumby announced the Government would soften its approach and allow live-music venues to apply for exemption from the new security requirements on a case by case basis.

"I think the Government's learned that live music in this town is really, really important and there's a whole lot of people in this town who hold it very dearly to their heart," says Jon Perring.

On a side note the Seventh Tipple outfit already run the Pony on Little Collins Street in the City and Yah-Yahs on Smith Street, Fitzroy, so they already know the live music biz.

Disappointed the sticky carpet has gone, but I know I'll be endeavouring to add that first layer of well-loved crud to the new one!

Unless they've got bare floorboards...

 

[nicky]

On a side note the Seventh Tipple outfit already run the Pony on Little Collins Street in the City and Yah-Yahs on Smith Street, Fitzroy, so they already know the live music biz.

Disappointed the sticky carpet has gone, but I know I'll be endeavouring to add that first layer of well-loved crud to the new one!

Unless they've got bare floorboards...

Pony and yah yahs are 2 great venues.

Ditto Re renovations... We need a "keep the sticky carpet" protest.

 

[Franc de Borges]

If it's going to re-open it has to be renovated.

Despite it's 'iconic' status it was a shit place to go and a shit place to play. I live round the corner and would frequent the joint far more regularly if it we're done up and had decent amenities. Hope they fix it, it was terrible before.

Pony is decent, Yah Yah's is meh...

 

[nicky]

If it's going to re-open it has to be renovated.

Despite it's 'iconic' status it was a shit place to go and a shit place to play. I live round the corner and would frequent the joint far more regularly if it we're done up and had decent amenities. Hope they fix it, it was terrible before.

Pony is decent, Yah Yah's is meh...

Most people who love the tote love it's condition.

Brilliant place to go and watch bands.

 

[Franc de Borges]

Most people who love the tote love it's condition.

Brilliant place to go and watch bands.

Not many of those, it was always empty...

Might be ok to watch, the facilities for the bands were second rate.

Desperately in need of a revamp.

 

[nicky]

Not many of those, it was always empty...

Might be ok to watch, the facilities for the bands were second rate.

Desperately in need of a revamp.

THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT! A venue for small bands! (not all were second rate, I've seen some fantastic no name bands there)

Secondly, it wasn't always empty, sure, it wasn't packed out every wednesday night (but what pub is???) I can't think of a friday or saturday night where the tote was empty?

Anyway, if you need a renovated pub so badly why don't you just go to every other (once good) pub in melbourne, like the builders arms. The tote is a dying breed and yuppies like you want to turn it into something we already have thousands of.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

I agree with ya Nicky - the Tote had character. Us punters loved it because it was what it was without one drop of pretension or 'we're too good for you' attitude.

A warts-and-all venue that didn't exclude anyone.

Those kinds of places are getting scarce on the ground, believe me.

 

[nicky]

Correct geelong sicko...

Lets start at the royal derby on brunswick/alexander pde and work our way up to the workers pub (old rob roy)... On every corner you will find a renovated palace where once was a good pub.

(If they touch the labour in vain i will jihad them )

Let's just hope they don't change the tote too much...

 

[Franc de Borges]

THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT! A venue for small bands! (not all were second rate, I've seen some fantastic no name bands there)

Secondly, it wasn't always empty, sure, it wasn't packed out every wednesday night (but what pub is???) I can't think of a friday or saturday night where the tote was empty?

Anyway, if you need a renovated pub so badly why don't you just go to every other (once good) pub in melbourne, like the builders arms. The tote is a dying breed and yuppies like you want to turn it into something we already have thousands of.

Yuppy? I live in Collingwood, around the corner from The Tote. I'm a local and did go there, are you or did you? Probably not, best to protest about something you know nothing about though, front and square.

I didn't say the bands were poor, I said the facilities were second rate. Get it right. Once again I've experienced this first hand, I doubt you have but why let that get in the way of a load of vitriolic shit, huh?

I will go back there IF they fix it up properly. It was never maintained. It went to shit. Why not just leave the MCG the way it was in 1980 and never upgrade? What a joke.

Time to take off your Kevin '07 t-shirt and get a job.

 

[Marslanderiffico]

o hai nicky

 

[nicky]

Yuppy? I live in Collingwood, around the corner from The Tote. I'm a local and did go there, are you or did you? Probably not, best to protest about something you know nothing about though, front and square..

Lots of yuppies live in collingwood so i don't know why you're using your location as proof you're not a yuppy. Fact is, people like you move to a grungy area then demand venues be renovated to a sterile state so the area ends up like bloody camberwell. Ironically it's the grungy "art" factor that allures you to the area to begin with, then you fk it up by wishing it were more "comfortable".

I didn't say the bands were poor, I said the facilities were second rate. Get it right. Once again I've experienced this first hand, I doubt you have but why let that get in the way of a load of vitriolic shit, huh?

I will go back there IF they fix it up properly. It was never maintained. It went to shit. Why not just leave the MCG the way it was in 1980 and never upgrade? What a joke.

Time to take off your Kevin '07 t-shirt and get a job.

Maintain it to the extent of 'Put locks on the toilet doors' but POLEASE, don't polish the floor boards and hang chandalears all over the place... We have too many of those venues.

 

[Franc de Borges]

Lots of yuppies live in collingwood so i don't know why you're using your location as proof you're not a yuppy. Fact is, people like you move to a grungy area then demand venues be renovated to a sterile state so the area ends up like bloody camberwell. Ironically it's the grungy "art" factor that allures you to the area to begin with, then you fk it up by wishing it were more "comfortable".


Maintain it to the extent of 'Put locks on the toilet doors' but POLEASE, don't polish the floor boards and hang chandalears all over the place... We have too many of those venues.

Your assumptions and 'facts' are patently wrong. You have no idea what you're talking about.

I'm simply saying that this particular venue, if it is to re-open, requires significant restoration. I love the other pubs in the area and don't wish to see them change.

Attempting to prove anything with exaggerations and assumptions is doomed to fail, as you have done spectacularly on this occasion.

 

[nicky]

Your assumptions and 'facts' are patently wrong. You have no idea what you're talking about.

I'm simply saying that this particular venue, if it is to re-open, requires significant restoration. I love the other pubs in the area and don't wish to see them change.

Attempting to prove anything with exaggerations and assumptions is doomed to fail, as you have done spectacularly on this occasion.

Dude! You showed more venom and made more assumptions in your posts...

The totes opening.

/thread

 

[Franc de Borges]

Dude! You showed more venom and made more assumptions in your posts...

The totes opening.

/thread

All good. Obviously I'm just a little over-excited to have my feet glued to that infamous carpet once again...

Back to The Bay for me...

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

Not everyone loves a dive, it's true. Fair enough, I've always been a believer in 'to each their own' when it comes to most things in life.

I'll always love a skungy bar, though. I know the Tote COULD do with some renovation, but to me it would lose that 'certain part of it' that appeals to me and to others.

I just can't get comfortable in a bar full of Ikea furniture, ten bouncers, and floorboards so polished you can't help but look dazzled and shit-faced every time you go up to the bar for another pot/pint/round.

 

[nicky]

Not everyone loves a dive, it's true. Fair enough, I've always been a believer in 'to each their own' when it comes to most things in life.

I'll always love a skungy bar, though. I know the Tote COULD do with some renovation, but to me it would lose that 'certain part of it' that appeals to me and to others.

I just can't get comfortable in a bar full of Ikea furniture, ten bouncers, and floorboards so polished you can't help but look dazzled and shit-faced every time you go up to the bar for another pot/pint/round.

It's not like i'm campaigning against renovated bars. I just don't see the point in turning the tote into yet another "builders arms" (mistake), with purple carpeted walls and chandeliers every 2 feet on the ceiling.

I like nice bars and can think of dozens to go to but i also love 'tote' like venues which are a dying breed. Seriously, if that french named poster lives next door to the tote like he says he does then he could throw a tennis ball to 30 "nice" venues in his vicinity.... why change the tote???

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

It's not like i'm campaigning against renovated bars. I just don't see the point in turning the tote into yet another "builders arms" (mistake), with purple carpeted walls and chandeliers every 2 feet on the ceiling.

That's fair enough. As I said, I dion't see the point in renovating it either. I absolutely loved it just the way it was.

I like nice bars and can think of dozens to go to but i also love 'tote' like venues which are a dying breed. Seriously, if that french named poster lives next door to the tote like he says he does then he could throw a tennis ball to 30 "nice" venues in his vicinity.... why change the tote???

Too right

 

[blackshadow]

I hope the juke box is back.

 

[nicky]

I hope the juke box is back.

Did it ever leave?

 

[Willie_Rioli]

Did it ever leave?

last i heard it was at the Newtown Workers Club - though pretty sure this was a one off (think it was the night of the SLAM rally).
As for the tote, yes awesome news! Bruce Milne completely gutted the place in order to auction it off and make some $ to pay off legal debts. So yes, it will be fully refurbished, and the Cobra upstairs will receive a complete makeover. Also will only be open thu-sun.

 

[Willie_Rioli]

I said the facilities were second rate. Get it right. Once again I've experienced this first hand

what facilities exactly are you referring to Franc? its grunginess is what makes the tote. maybe you should hang out at Bimbos if you want a nice clean place.

 

[nicky]

last i heard it was at the Newtown Workers Club - though pretty sure this was a one off (think it was the night of the SLAM rally).
As for the tote, yes awesome news! Bruce Milne completely gutted the place in order to auction it off and make some $ to pay off legal debts. So yes, it will be fully refurbished, and the Cobra upstairs will receive a complete makeover. Also will only be open thu-sun.

Interesting.
I hope they keep it simple atleast, if they refurb it like the builders arms or royal derby that would be a real shame.

ps. Bimbos is just awful. It acheives nothing it sets out to do. Their biggest thing is their pizzas, yet the couches are awkward to eat on, it's too dark and the music is too loud. Why have such loud (and shit) music, when theirs no dance floor and your aim is to sell pizzas.

It's a totally wrong venue.