[gumbuoy]

So, its the end of an era.

Last week, the news came out that the owner of RGs had purchased Rics (and presumably FatBoys cafe as well), some saw it as just a new owner, but I was more concerned - why would RGs buy Rics unless they planned to turn it into an expanded beergarden/sports bar?

Anyway, the rumours are now abounding that Rics will be closing this weekend, and there's a facebook event described as Rics last night.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?ei...1484086&ref=nf

I was planning on going along, but then I remembered that I hate crowds, and Rics feels full after about more than 20 people being in there, so I'll have to play it by ear.

So, who here will be joining in the last hurrah of one of Brisbanes iconic music venues?

[clashpalace]

Im starting to think that everyone is just closing down venues I go to.

Had a weekend in Brissy last year and one of the places I stumbled into was Ric's and totally met awesome people who bought me drinks and had a rad time.

What's going on!

A sportsbar?

FFS!

[snapcrackleROCK]

FUCK NO. *walks off shaking head*

[snapcrackleROCK]

GB, I can't see Facebook from work - could you cut n paste, please?

[gumbuoy]

Originally Posted by snapcrackleROCK

GB, I can't see Facebook from work - could you cut n paste, please?

Hehe I'm at work now too so no can do . Could someone with fb access do a cutandpaste pls?

[clashpalace]

This is the end.

This Saturday night is the final Ric's night.

So don your fake Ray Bans, tie up your biggest and boldest top knot and get your indie stride on, one last time.

Kiss that cute boy or girl that you never got the chance to. Grafitti the toilets one last time. Request that fave indie tune and dance dance your sadness away. Top it all off with the infamous Fat Boys brekky.

Invite anyone and everyone.

Type:
Party - Farewell Party
Network:
Global
Date:
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Time:
19:00 - 23:55
Location:
Ric's/Fat Boys

Ric’s Changes Hands? PDF Print E-mail
Tuesday, 17 November 2009

Fortitude Valley live music venue Ric’s Bar has apparently changed hands. Sources close to the venue have suggested owner Stephen Fitzgerald quit the business over apparent concerns about the 2am lockout and plastic drink containers. Its booker Raychel Plath is also said to have exited. We hear that neighbouring business RG’s (The Royal George) has taken on the lease. A spokesperson for the venue offered “no comment” at time of press, pending a media release due later this week. Whether the venue changes its format remains to be seen. But Ric’s Bar has been integral to Brisbane’s developing band scene, and comes with its share of great rock stories. For instance, legend has it it’s where Grant McLennan anointed The John Steel Singers as pop successors at one of their early gigs before he passed on.

[snapcrackleROCK]

That's shit. Just shit.

[mickyj]

rg are planing to keep more or less the same and have already employed a new booker.

[Demosthenes]

Haven't seen anything on the TOMB about it being a close-down. I think it's more an end-of-current-management pissup.

also posting to say everything i have heard about rics 2.0 is an improvement except maybe for the situation with staff (on which i have heard mixed reports -- i hope the good version is the truth).

Don't know any more than that.

[gumbuoy]

ahh cool, well that makes sense, although i guess the sword is always going to be over Rics head from now on - as soon as its not profitable, *swish* - extended beer garden.

[Demosthenes]

Originally Posted by gumbuoy

ahh cool, well that makes sense, although i guess the sword is always going to be over Rics head from now on - as soon as its not profitable, *swish* - extended beer garden.

I was speculating to Elleni last night that it makes sense in terms of market capture for RG management to maintain the current Ric's vibe -- folk who go to Ric's won't go to the RG.

If they start knocking walls down to extend the beer garden, the folk who go to Ric's will just piss off somewhere else. An insane option -- when you buy a business a fair chunk of the price tends to come from goodwill (the monetised value of future custom who've bought into your brand).

That being said, the men's loos could use some improving.

[snapcrackleROCK]

The RG's idea of live music is some acoustic banging wanker doing Live and Pearl Jam covers - is that what Ric's lineup will become?

[Demosthenes]

Originally Posted by snapcrackleROCK

The RG's idea of live music is some acoustic banging wanker doing Live and Pearl Jam covers - is that what Ric's lineup will become?

Will ask sauces.

[chickenman]

if the new owners change any formula then it will be RIP new bands and the valley.

damn.

this just suxs.

[gumbuoy]

Originally Posted by Demosthenes

I was speculating to Elleni last night that it makes sense in terms of market capture for RG management to maintain the current Ric's vibe -- folk who go to Ric's won't go to the RG.

Agreed - but are RGs thinking they can get more of the kind of people who go to RGs if they have more room? IE are people being turned away from the current RGs due to lack of room, or even looking at it but deciding not to go there if its packed?

[icutmyownhair]

Originally Posted by snapcrackleROCK

GB, I can't see Facebook from work - could you cut n paste, please?

paste link into kproxy.com. should let you see it.

[Demosthenes]

Originally Posted by gumbuoy

Agreed - but are RGs thinking they can get more of the kind of people who go to RGs if they have more room? IE are people being turned away from the current RGs due to lack of room, or even looking at it but deciding not to go there if its packed?

Yeah that's a possibility.

[anxious0]

rics was indeed a sauce of awesomeness in brisbane when its not completely packed out with scum... if it becomes an extension of RG's so be it. but surely they will see the value in continuing to operate it as it.

[Demosthenes]

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fri 20th Nov, 2009

The Official Word on the Street Re: Ric’s Bar & Fat Boys Café


One of Brisbane’s oldest music institutions ‘Ric’s Bar’ in the Valley Entertainment Precinct will change hands as of Monday November 23rd.

Boasting a history of being home to notable acts such as the Go-Betweens, Butterfingers, Regurgitator, Dave McCormack and Grant McLennan, new owner Les Pullos will continue to support emerging and established local and touring acts. Ric’s will hold it’s place as one of Brisbane’s most popular FREE entry live music venues.

The new year will see a sensitive make-over that will retain Ric’s charm but improve it’s facilities for bands and audiences alike. The Fat Boy’s famous $4 breakfast isn’t going anywhere but it’s outdoor dining area will be expanded to join with a strip that will run from the RG down to Rics, offering guests one of Brisbane’s largest outdoor licensed areas.

[gumbuoy]

Originally Posted by Demosthenes

it’s outdoor dining area will be expanded to join with a strip that will run from the RG down to Rics, offering guests one of Brisbane’s largest outdoor licensed areas.

Yeah, I figured that would happen - and Im not happy about it. Im also concerned about the licensed area...will both Rics and RGS continue to have separate bars, or will they just have one big bar?

[Demosthenes]

Originally Posted by gumbuoy

Yeah, I figured that would happen - and Im not happy about it. Im also concerned about the licensed area...will both Rics and RGS continue to have separate bars, or will they just have one big bar?

Depends how sensitive they want to be, eh? :/

[lineofbestfit]

rics is a terrible terrible venue with the mot stuck up staff.

[Demosthenes]

*gets out popcorn*

[Dexter Ramone]

Rics sounds astoundingly close to your beloved Abercrombie G-Man, Perhaps you need to remember that.

[lineofbestfit]

the people are abercombie are actually decent i know a few of the bartenders, good dudez.

[brittles]

NOT THE BATCAVE! Makes me sad... I don't even need to ask for a beer when heading into Ric's anymore. They see me coming and have a draught on the bar by the time I get there. It took a lot of time and money to get that status. I'm going to cry if I have to train a whole new wave of barstaff to do this.

[gumbuoy]

*gets out popcorn*

not worth the wasted energy of typing a response.

[daveisaghost]

was pretty devastated when i was told this. some good times were had there, and i think it got a pretty good send off this weekend.
opening it up with rg's i think will change the vibe of the place quite a bit too :(

[brittles]

I can't believe the Batcave is going. Word on the street is that the Alibi is up for grabs too. I don't know where else I'd go if I didn't have the batcave.


edit: Actually yes I do. I forsee a lot of time spent at the Jube from now on.

[daveisaghost]

o mang i really hope the alibi doesn't go. they need to leave us some dingy bars. anyone for considering a timeshare project?

[Stackboy]

it's dead to me. sounds like the send off on the weekend was intense.

[lineofbestfit]

there's already a thread dingus.

[gumbuoy]

Originally Posted by lineofbestfit

there's already a thread dingus.

the problem, dingus, is that one thread is the standalone thread I created last week, whereas the second thread came from comments on the FL article.

They stay separate until a forum mod comes along and merges the threads.

Which is now done.

[Demosthenes]

User "lineofbestfit" receives stinging pwnage ITT.

[lineofbestfit]

either way glad to see that overrated club, also who gives two tosses about go betweens playing there.

[Demosthenes]

Originally Posted by lineofbestfit

either way glad to see that overrated club, also who gives two tosses about go betweens playing there.

Translation: "I got banned from Ric's but I'm not bitter about it at all. Honest."

[lineofbestfit]

actually i didn't you dolt i just despise the place, i prefer even birdee num nums to that dive . at least at that place the girls are straight up gagging for it so you know you won't be leaving alone.

[lineofbestfit]

ps grant mclennan wasn't that great of a songwriter, robert was always the talented one.

[Demosthenes]

User "lineofbestfit" attempts to be edgy and controversial ITT.

[lineofbestfit]

not trying he used to do a residency at the press club before they reformed wasn't that great.

[godblesblocprty]

sounds like lineofbestfit got turned down by a couple too many of the chunky/stripey topped/bob cut/neck scarf girls ric's is famous for.

$4/$5 breakfast while still being able to drink a beer (with the added bonus of talking to people on parole from RGs) sounds good.

Corner bar has been booking all the good bands lately anyway.

[lineofbestfit]

godblessblocparty you have one of the most embarassing user names in history, please stop posting.

[Braveheart81]

It's not too different to lines of best fit really. Both are unmitigated fanboy user names.

[lineofbestfit]

actually a very low percentage of death cab for cutie fans know line of best fit as most of them don't own something about airplanes.

[snapcrackleROCK]

Die. Just die.

[lineofbestfit]

i'd rather not follow grant mclennan's lead, always sad to see a fellow midget go however.

[worldsfastest]

Originally Posted by lineofbestfit

i'd rather not follow grant mclennan's lead, always sad to see a fellow midget go however.

haha that was actually funny

[Braveheart81]

Originally Posted by lineofbestfit

i'd rather not follow grant mclennan's lead, always sad to see a fellow midget go however.

If anyone can find me a photo of Cowboy Joe from Happy Gilmore I'd be appreciative. He's the midget on the wooden horse in Happy Gilmore's Happy Place dream.

I have searched Google images with no success.

[lineofbestfit]

you mean where he's with his grandma and shit.

[Braveheart81]

Yeah.

That's pretty much the image that pops into my head when I think of you.