July 29, 2026 — 5:54pmLiquor licensing discounts and incentives for local artists, proposed in reforms to Brisbane’s nightlife economy, could prevent dozens of small live music venues from closing, operators and stakeholders say, as many still struggle to recover from the pandemic. Operators told this masthead the changes would bring much-needed financial support for small venues while modernising the city’s live music scene, despite the rejection of more than 20 recommendations from the Night-Life Economy Commissioner’s report, published on Wednesday.Crowbar Brisbane chief executive Tyla Dombroski, whose venue replaced Fortitude Valley stalwart The Zoo in 2024, praised the Crisafulli government’s plan for recognising the importance of live music in driving the nighttime economy.Trad Nathan (left) and Tyla Dombroski (right) reopened Crowbar Brisbane on Ann Street after The Zoo closed in 2024.Crowbar BrisbaneInitiatives proposed by the government include reviewing default sound limits, considering liquor licensing discounts for grassroots live music venues, modernising conditions for extended trading hours, and removing unnecessary red tape for licensees.“It’s great and a really long time coming for Queensland,” Dombroski said.“There’s a lot of work that’s gone into it to work on ways to modernise and strengthen what live music venues can do and how they can operate with relaxed licensing laws and red tape.”She welcomed targeted relief for smaller venues, many of which have closed since the pandemic.“The large venues are usually part of a group, and they’ve got a lot more support and financial stability,” she said.“These smaller venues are sometimes struggling week to week. We’re dealing with the constant issues of lower customer spending, increased operating costs, [and] liquor licence fees.“Encouraging local businesses to operate and have that nighttime economy increase is really important … especially with the Olympics coming in a few years.”QMusic supports Bigsound – one of the southern hemisphere’s largest music showcases – held in Fortitude Valley annually.Morgan RobertsJohn “JC” Collins, whose Moonside report contained 62 proposals to fix Brisbane’s nightlife, told the media earlier on Wednesday he was disappointed that some of the recommendations were not supported.But he planned to continue in his role, he said, advocating for faster implementation of the accepted recommendations, and lobbying for those not yet supported.QMusic, a not-for-profit music industry peak body that receives funding from state and federal governments, applauded the plan’s support for local and emerging artists, and the reforms targeting grassroots venues that operate as the backbone of the city’s live music scene.“Getting a Queensland artist on the bill for a stadium show is a career-changing opportunity, and the Homegrown initiative gives touring acts a real incentive to make that happen,” QMusic interim chief executive Kristy Ellis said.“Grassroots venues are where every Queensland artist gets their start. If those rooms disappear, the whole pipeline disappears with them.“Reducing barriers to putting on live music is one of the most important things for this industry, [and] we’re glad to see it prioritised.”Joy owner Sarah Baldwin, whose restaurant in Bakery Lane is situated in the heart of the city’s busiest late-night precinct, supported the plan’s efforts to highlight a more diverse nighttime economy.But she said she was disappointed to see that recommendations for extended public transport – including a pilot program of trains between 1am and 4am on weekends – had been dismissed.“Any small step to making the Valley become a place that people can see as something that is an entertainment precinct, more than just clubbing and booze, is great,” Baldwin said.“The things like providing discounts to licensed venues that do have live music, that’s great.“But public transport not being extended? I feel like that doesn’t quite align.”Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.More:Live musicRestaurantsFortitude ValleyQueensland governmentCity lifeFor subscribersFrom our partners