When Canadian Grammy-award winning queen of country pop star Shania Twain was given a list of Melbourne bars to host her tour wrap-party in 2018, she chose Lulie Tavern, an intimate laidback rock’n’roll bar on Johnston St, Abbotsford as her ultimate destination to hang up those dancing boots.
At first, founder and co-owner Jon-Lee Farrell declined; hesitant to shut the doors to locals on a bustling Saturday night, but he was convinced by his longest serving bartender and resident DJ that it was a no-brainer to host her.
The Lulie Tavern is officially 10 – and after a decade reign on Johnston Street; and at its new location across the street since 2018, they’ve found their feet and shuffle to the beat of their rock’n’roll drum.
It’s a refreshing way to do business [and sometimes frustrating of course], but these operators wear their heart on their sleeves, do it for the love of community – and even when times get tough in business as they have been for many in hospitality, they remind themselves that winning the locals over and creating a buzz around this venue is why they do what they do.
Lulie Tavern is might piece of the puzzle in the fabric of Melbourne’s live music scene these days – it feels like a throwback to the ’90s era of Brunswick Street Fitzroy when The Punters and Everleigh Hotels were the regular haunts for music lovers.
There’s music 52 weeks a year – it’s where Davey Lane performed and then returned with his band The Pictures, where Sydney punks Coffin headlined the underground festival Luliepalooza in 2023 just as they really hit their popularity stride, and where Cash Savage and the Last Drinks headlined a year ago.
The rooftop bar – Full Moon Fever – named after a Tom Petty album continues to charm with its breezy mood, country inflected cool and a menu that’s Head Chef Riley has attracted more bums on seats to feast on fried chicken and burgers than ever. It’s a slice of Americana served with a side of Abbotsford grunge.
The dreamy saloon feel of Lulie Tavern is more than a favourite rock’n’roll bar for many; it’s come to nurture the up and comers in the music scene, and it makes everybody feel welcome; and who doesn’t want to stick around for their saloon-style cocktails to get the party started.
“For us, starting the venue 10 years was about creating something that we loved, primarily being a little music bar for locals and people who love rock’n’roll music,” says Jon-Lee Farrell.
“We continue doing what we love and that’s what keeps us interested in the venue,” he says.
“We play music we like; we make people feel welcome all the time and that’s the core value of the business, and while it’s grown in size and popularity that has never changed,” says Farrell.
Their commitment to live music is essential too.
“We always wanted to support local music and we got local musicians to DJ at the bar when we couldn’t host bands in the beginning. Now we have live music four nights a week, 52 weeks a year and do the Luliepalooza festival yearly,” says Farrell.
Since Brendan Kennedy and Farrell started the business [after their tenure at Curtain House as staffers], they have now added their band booker and marketing guru as a co-owner. “Asia Kwan Taylor has been integral for us in the business. She’s 10 years younger than us and brings that energy and vision which is essential for business,” says Farrell.
The rock’n’roll street party that is Luliepalooza has been going for four years. Sure, it might be something they do for the love and not the money, but it’s the proverbial group hug that those who crank it to 11 love and live by.
Last November Cash Savage headlined the festival, with LA rockers Starcrawler coming to town for this exclusive show. There was Battlesnake, Eagle & The Worm, Batpiss and Torquay trio The Miffs on the bill too.
“The Lulie Tavern is where people come for a good time,” says Farrell. “During the week it feels like a homely local bar and on weekends people come from all over. And the people who come here for a meal, a show or a dance, give us a reason to come back.”
And see you at the Tom Petty tribute night on April 24th. Check out all the gigs and 10th birthday celebrations via the link here:
