‘Much-loved’ Auckland music venues set to merge

Friday, 7 June 2024

The Beths performing at Coachella

Auckland music venues Whammy Backroom and Wine Cellar are set to merge.

The two venues have played host to everyone from The Beths to Marlon Williams over the years.

They will reopen as a new venue called Double Whammy on August 17.

Two Auckland music venues that have hosted artists such as The Beths, Marlon Williams and Tami Neilson are set for a new chapter after 20 years.

The Wine Cellar and Whammy Backroom are set to combine to form a new music venue, which will be named Double Whammy.

Based in St Kevin’s Arcade off Karangahape Road, the two intimate venues have been at the forefront of the Auckland music scene for two decades, with the Wine Cellar having celebrated its 20th birthday last week.

Since 2003, the Wine Cellar has become an integral part of Auckland’s live music scene, providing a place for new and up and coming artists to learn how to craft their live performances.

Pop singer Paige playing at the Wine Cellar in 2019.

Artists that have gone on to big things that have graced the Wine Cellar’s stage include Delaney Davidson, Reb Fountain and The Beths, the latter of which who played Coachella Festival in April.

St Kevin’s Arcade, home of the Wine Cellar and Whammy Backroom.

The new merged venue will have an increased capacity of 400-500. Whammy Bar owner Lucy Macrae says the merger will help herald in a new era for the much-loved venues, enhancing their capacity and flexibility to cater to a diverse range of events and audiences.

'At its core, this initiative is driven by a long term vision to support and celebrate artists, and to champion diversity and accessibility within the music community.“

“By providing many different options and spaces for artistic expression, professional growth and audience enjoyment, we aim to foster a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape where musicians at all levels and from all backgrounds can thrive and contribute to Aotearoa's music scene,” Macrae said.

The two performance spaces will merge as one, with the old Wine Cellar bar area being reborn as Whammy's Public Bar.

The current Whammy Bar which is next door will remain as is.

Macrae said all three spaces will continue to support and celebrate local talent and ensure that the creative spirit of Auckland thrives.

The last shows at Whammy Backroom and Wine Cellar will take place the weekend of August 2 and 3, before the re-opening of the new venue on August 17.