Hopetoun Hotel, Music venue in Surry Hills, Australia
Hopetoun Hotel is a music venue in Surry Hills located at the corner of Bourke and Fitzroy Street, featuring Federation warehouse-style architecture with face brick walls. The building preserves early 20th-century industrial design with exposed brick surfaces and period details consistent with its original construction era.
The building was constructed between 1836 and 1839 as the Cookatoo Inn, receiving its present name in 1901 to honor Lord Hopetoun, Australia's first Governor-General. This renaming preceded its later transformation into a live music venue during the 20th century.
The venue served as a launching ground for emerging bands in Sydney during the 1980s and 1990s, hosting musicians who would later gain national prominence. Artists used the space to develop their sound and build connections within the local music community.
The venue operated as an active music space until 2009, when noise complaints from nearby residents led to closure. Check current status before visiting, as the building remains inactive despite previous renovation plans.
During its closure in 2012, the hotel's interior was used as a filming location for the Marvel film The Wolverine starring Hugh Jackman. This unexpected use transformed the dormant space into a set for a major motion picture.
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