New York. Berlin. Barcelona. Tokyo. Brisbane? The humble Queensland capital — host of the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics — may be set to join the list of world cities that never sleep. Despite long-standing, anti-violence lockout laws and high cost-of-living induced lack of discretionary spending, Premier Steven Miles has declared his intention to “boost vibrancy” of Queensland’s 24-hour economy.
And the financial state of the sector appears shaky. Beloved live music venue The Zoo announced it will close next month after 32 years because “a mix of lifestyle changes and cost-of-living stress for our patrons” had put the hurt on its bottom line. And an owner of two venues has turned to crowdfunding to keep her businesses afloat. “The reality is grim,” Emily Dennis, owner of It’s Still a Secret and Can You Keep a Secret, said on GoFundMe.