The collapse of Ōtepoti venues continues with Dog with Two Tails set to close on April 1. And no, this is not a prank. Critic Te Ārohi snagged an interview with the best boy’s manager, Phoebe, who said that there were “multiple reasons” behind the closure.
An important factor was that “the cost of everything is going up,” according to Phoebe, including kegs which have allegedly doubled in price in recent years. Can’t exactly double the price of a pint when about 50% sales come from tap beers.
Another big issue for Dog was that they “didn’t really keep up with the competition,” said Phoebe. While a number of bars have food menus, Dog can only offer some bar snacks. This meant potential customers looking for a meal often ended up going elsewhere. There was also ol’ mate Covid and the fact that during “packed shows” people tend to only get one or two drinks, said Phoebe.
As a result of noise complaints and harsh DCC noise control regulations, the music venue attached to the bar ‘Bark!’ had recently undergone serious renovations to soundproof the room. However, Phoebe said that Dog’s closure is “not really because of noise complaints”, though it “probably doesn’t help.”
Dog with Two Tails prides itself on offering the venue free of charge to musicians and performers. “We are unwilling to charge young musicians for playing. Even if it would save business, the cost would be too great,” said Phoebe.
Phoebe suggested that musicians should receive more state-sponsored funding and grants so that shows might be free, incentivising more people to come and spend the money they would have used on a ticket at the bar. In other words, artists win and venues can stay open.
Alice, student and bassist for Sometime Winner and the Mads Harrop Band told Critic Te Ārohi that Dog With Two Tails closing is “so tragic…I can't believe we're losing another venue.” She said that “it was a reliably good vibe and also free to hire whereas some other venues charge you a hire fee.”
According to Phoebe, the new owners are “looking to re-open in the near future.” Critic Te Ārohi spoke with Aaron, a potential buyer who has “been a part of the community for a while,” having done some stand-up comedy at the venue. “I felt it had potential and wasn’t getting there,” said Aaron.
The prospective buyer made it clear that “nothing has been agreed yet” and was reluctant to give much away, saying that if the deal goes through in the next couple weeks the space may transform into “something new and different that hasn't been seen before in Dunedin.” Vague, but enticing.
Critic Te Ārohi suggests naming it Dog With Sixty-Nine (nice) Tails.