The Wanch, oldest live-music venue in Hong Kong, shuts in Wan Chai, its operation ‘suspended’ until Covid-19 is under control
- Hong Kong bar that gave a stage to up-and-coming bands for three decades has to vacate its Wan Chai premises after being unable to agree a deal with landlord
- Shut for much of 2020 under Covid-19 containment measures, it is suspending operations until owners can reopen when ‘business environment is again positive’
The Wanch, Hong Kong’s longest-running live music venue, has announced it will be suspending operations after more than three decades in business – but vows to return when the pandemic has passed.
Hammered by a loss of revenue caused by the government shutdown of bars amid the coronavirus pandemic, managers of The Wanch say they failed to secure rent concessions from their landlord and have been forced to vacate the venue in Wan Chai district on Hong Kong Island.
“We have decided to suspend operation of The Wanch until the coronavirus is totally under control, the chance of government forced closures is over and the business environment is once again positive,” The Wanch announced on its Facebook page.
“We can’t totally blame the landlords as the government plays a part by not offering landlords incentives to truly work with tenants. We are committed to reopening The Wanch when the time is right.”
After it opened in 1987, the small venue on Jaffe Road, running through the Wan Chai red-light district, evolved into the city’s premier live underground music bar. Regulars often compared it to New York’s CBGB, the influential live house that launched the careers of punk and post-punk bands such as the Ramones, Talking Heads and Blondie.
