Since opening in 2022, Thornbury bandroom Shotkickers has been running successful live shows spanning international tours through to debut performances for emerging bands and solo artists. Now, the popular spot hopes to expand next door, by opening a 400-capacity pub and event space with an all-day Tex-Mex menu, rotating beers on tap, trivia, and footy nights.

Despite the venue becoming a community hub for live music, co-owner Chris Windley says sky-rocketing public liability insurance and alcohol prices combined with punters spending less has left the team at a crossroads.

“We’re in this weird place where Shotkickers is putting on consistently great live shows for local and international acts, yet the cost of running everything and people having less disposable income means it’s becoming financially unsustainable,” Windley says. “The decision to expand next door is something we’ve always talked about but we’re at a stage now where it’s almost an adapt-or-die situation.”

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Windley says adding all-day dining and a more relaxed space next door (previously Deans Picture Framing) will help subsidise the increasing costs of running the bandroom. The extension is scheduled to open in early 2025 and offer a more traditional local pub experience while the existing venue becomes a standalone bandroom.

“We find after shows that people want to have a drink and get some fresh air on the footpath, but we can only run that until 11pm,” Windley says. “This will allow us to function as more of a neighbourhood pub during more sociable hours and give people a chance to relax and have a drink outside after a great show in the bandroom.”

In order to get the renovation over the line, Windley and the Shotkickers team are calling on the community to help. There’s a fundraising page where people can donate any amount they want in exchange for merch prizes, an engraving in the venue and even a lifetime discount on food and drinks.

Windley aims to crowdfund $200,000 before November to complete the expansion. At the time of publishing, he’s so far raised $8,686.

“It’s a big number but the costs associated with this have blown out, so we’re calling on the Shotkickers community to chip in and make this possible,” Windley says. “We’ve found ourselves in a position where if we don’t expand our offering then we’re looking at a scenario where the bandroom can’t exist – it’s pivot or perish for us.

“Stubbornly, we’re committed to giving local bands a place to perform because it’s what we know, what we’ve always done and what we’re passionate about.”