Ron Peno Died Pretty, EG Awards Prince Bandroom - Photo By Ros O'Gorman
The future of one of Melbourne’s oldest music venues The Prince Bandroom in the Prince of Wales hotel in St Kilda is questionable after the property was sold this week to a restaurateur.
The new owner, Julian Gerner from the Melbourne Pub Group, specialises in upmarket pub dining. The Prince of Wales, on the Fitzroy St strip, is prime real estate for targeting tourists.
Gerner told The Age that for now the Prince Bandroom “will operate as it is for the moment”. He also emphasised “we’re not entertainment operators. Our focus is on food”.
The previous owners, John and Frank van Haandel, bought the venue in 1995.
John and Frank split in 2007. John continued to run The Prince as well as Carousel and Longrain. Frank owns The Stokehouse, Comme and Mr Tulk.
Artists who have played the Prince Bandroom over the years include Coldplay, Neil Finn, Lenny Kravitz, Scissor Sisters, Pink, Died Pretty, Jack Johnson and Ben Harper.
