Current Event Status
As of 16 September 2026, the former Studio 146 nightclub at 146 Stirling Terrace, Albany, is listed as permanently closed. No current events, ticket sales or 2026-and-beyond programme at the address could be verified. A current business directory identifies Albany Darklite Tattoo at the street number, while older entertainment listings still preserve Studio 146’s former details. Treat any listing that describes Studio 146 as an operating nightclub as historical or out of date.
Events and Programming
Studio 146 was a late-night nightclub and live-music room rather than a conventional seated theatre. Its programming combined touring Australian bands, hip-hop artists, DJs, electronic acts and weekend dance nights. The venue was especially associated with Friday and Saturday late-night trading, with music-led events aimed primarily at adult audiences and young people in Albany and the wider Great Southern region.
The most recent publicly indexed performances that can be verified at Studio 146 were Great Gable on 20 March 2021 and Drapht on 20 November 2021. The available concert databases do not provide a complete event archive, so these should be understood as confirmed public records rather than proof that no other shows took place.
The venue’s wider programming pattern is clearer from the period immediately before 2021. Studio 146 hosted Spacey Jane and support act Ghost Care in August 2020, Drapht later that month, Zeke Beats in November, and San Cisco for two shows in November 2020. A contemporary review of San Cisco described a standing club crowd, a support set, a full band performance and audience members joining the musicians on the dance floor.
Searchable public listings do not verify Studio 146 performances at 146 Stirling Terrace during 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026. The available 2026 venue listing shows no upcoming concerts, and no future programme or reopening announcement was found. Albany’s 2026 city events continue to activate Stirling Terrace, but official announcements identify other nearby businesses and public spaces rather than Studio 146.
Tickets and Booking
There are no current Studio 146 tickets to buy. Because the nightclub is listed as permanently closed, old event pages, venue directories and cached listings should not be used to plan a night out or assume that a show is proceeding.
Archived event records confirm that touring acts appeared at the venue, but the sources reviewed do not provide a dependable historic ticket-price range, standard door charge, presale system or box-office arrangement. It would therefore be misleading to quote typical prices. Past ticketing varied by artist, promoter and event type, and no current booking or private-hire process could be verified.
For historic research, the most useful information is the event title, artist and date rather than an old ticket listing. Several directories continue to display former opening hours or venue information, but those records conflict with the more recent permanent-closure listing and should be treated cautiously.
About 146 Stirling Terrace
146 Stirling Terrace forms part of the Empire Buildings, a two-storey heritage commercial building at the corner of Stirling Terrace and York Street. The building was constructed in 1912 for West’s Picture Company, with architect Thomas Anthoness associated with the design and Ashman & Warner identified as the building contractors. The heritage record names the building’s original uses as shops and a movie theatre.
The original theatre could seat up to 1,000 people. It included refreshment stalls, a winter garden for women and a dress circle, making the site an important early entertainment venue as well as a commercial building. The cinema was later taken over by Drew Robinson and Co., and extensive alterations in 1927 added a balcony and redesigned the interior as a more modern picture house.
The nightclub chapter began around 2000. City of Albany heritage material records construction underway in August 2000 to adapt part of the building for nightclub use, including a new ground-level entry. Council records from 1999 refer to the proposed redevelopment as Club 1912. Business-name records associated with the operator also identify earlier names including Heaven Dance Club, Club NRG, Club 1912, The Empire Room, Club Nocturnal and other late-night concepts before the Studio 146 trading identity became established. The business register records the Studio 146 business name from 2008 and the trading name from 2009.
Studio 146 was operated by the Pages family for many years. In 2020, its owners described the club as Albany’s only nightclub and spoke publicly about the effect of COVID-19 restrictions on staff, performers, rent and hospitality businesses. In February 2022 the venue announced an indefinite closure during restrictions that included a two-square-metre rule and a 150-person nightclub cap. The exact final trading date after that period is not published in the sources reviewed.
Seating and Layout
The historic Empire theatre was a seated cinema with a dress circle and later balcony. That configuration belongs to the building’s earlier picture-house period and should not be confused with Studio 146’s later nightclub operation. Studio 146 was promoted and reviewed as a standing, dance-oriented venue, but no authoritative current floor plan, seating map or event configuration has been located.
No verified information is available for a present-day capacity, stage dimensions, dance-floor dimensions, balcony access, VIP area, reserved seating or sightline plan. The historic figure of 1,000 seats describes the original theatre, not the later nightclub. Similarly, the 150-person figure reported in 2022 was a COVID-era regulatory limit, not a published maximum capacity for the building.
For the former live-music format, the available review evidence suggests that the audience stood close to the performers and that the room prioritised energy and dancing over formal theatre viewing. There is not enough reliable information to recommend a particular standing position, acoustic sweet spot or accessible viewing area.
Architecture, Design and Technical Information
The Empire Buildings are significant for their Federation Free Style design. Heritage descriptions identify an asymmetrical façade, a corner entrance, informal window groupings, contrasting red brick and smooth rendered elements, a parapet concealing the roof, decorative skyline details and a gabled pediment. The building sits prominently within the Stirling Terrace heritage precinct overlooking Princess Royal Harbour.
The building’s street presentation has changed over time. Heritage records note that the original verandah, supported by timber posts, was replaced by a cantilevered canopy, while lower-level doors and windows have also been altered. The 2000 nightclub conversion inserted a new ground-level entrance, but the available heritage documentation does not provide a detailed account of internal soundproofing, acoustic treatment or production infrastructure.
No reliable technical rider or inventory has been found for Studio 146’s sound system, loudspeaker models, mixing console, monitor system, stage lighting, control desk, rigging points, power supply, backstage rooms, green room or video equipment. Directory descriptions claiming particular lighting, Wi-Fi or production features are not supported by an authoritative venue specification and should not be treated as confirmed.
Getting There and Parking
The former venue address is 146 Stirling Terrace, on the York Street corner in central Albany, Western Australia. It sits within the historic Stirling Terrace commercial precinct, close to York Street and the downhill approaches to Princess Royal Harbour. The building remains a useful heritage landmark, although the former nightclub is not a current event destination.
No dedicated Studio 146 car park has been verified. The City of Albany states that CBD parking time limits vary significantly by location and that drivers must follow the signs applying to each bay. ACROD bays require a valid permit, and parking on verges, footpaths, bus bays or restricted areas is prohibited. Do not rely on older claims that nearby parking was free after a particular hour; the official parking signs take precedence.
Albany has daily coach connections with Perth and other destinations. The regional coach stop is opposite the old railway station. A short onward taxi trip or a walk into the central business area may be required, but an exact late-night local-bus connection to 146 Stirling Terrace could not be verified. Because the venue is closed, there is no current event-night shuttle or venue-specific rideshare drop-off arrangement to rely on.
Inside the Venue
There is no current public entry procedure because Studio 146 is no longer operating as a nightclub. Historical listings describe a late-night licensed club with a bar, dance area and live-music programming, but the research did not verify a definitive current arrangement for toilets, cloakroom, merchandise, food service, mobile connectivity, bag searches, security screening or door sales.
Old listings also contain inconsistent opening hours. One directory updated in June 2024 still displayed Friday and Saturday nightclub hours, while another current listing marks the venue permanently closed. The conflicting information is a useful warning: do not travel to the address expecting late-night service without independent confirmation from a current, authoritative source.
Accessibility and Inclusive Facilities
No venue-specific accessibility statement, accessible seating plan, step-free route, accessible toilet information, hearing loop specification or companion-ticket policy could be verified for Studio 146. The historical record of a ground-level entrance does not establish that the former nightclub met contemporary Australian access standards, and it should not be treated as proof of step-free access or an accessible interior.
Albany does provide broader accessible facilities elsewhere in the city, including a Changing Place near the Albany Entertainment Centre, but that facility is not part of 146 Stirling Terrace. Since the former venue is closed, accessibility arrangements for a Studio 146 event are not currently applicable.
Nearby Amenities
Stirling Terrace remains one of Albany’s main hospitality and heritage areas. Nearby current venues include Liberté at 160–162 Stirling Terrace, while 2026 city programming identified Six Degrees, Wilson Brewing Company, Dylan’s on the Terrace, Gourmandise & Co and Kate’s Place as businesses extending or adapting their trading during Albany 2026 activations. These are nearby precinct options, not facilities operated by Studio 146.
The area is best approached as a central Albany heritage and dining precinct rather than as a functioning nightclub strip. Visitors attending events elsewhere in the city should allow extra time during Albany 2026 activations, when road closures, pedestrian changes and increased demand for parking may affect Stirling Terrace.
What Made This Venue Special
Studio 146’s distinctive quality came from the collision of two identities: a 1912 picture theatre within Albany’s Federation-era commercial streetscape, and a late-night club serving contemporary touring music. The building had already hosted film, skating, fundraising concerts and exhibitions before it became associated with DJs, bands and after-hours social life.
For a period, the club occupied an unusually important role in Albany’s nightlife. In 2022, ABC reporting described it as the city’s only nightclub and late-night licensed venue, attracting hundreds of mostly young adults on weekend nights. Police said its temporary closure reduced incidents in the immediate area, while a nearby kebab business reported losing 10–15 per cent of weekly income after late-night custom disappeared. The evidence shows both the venue’s social value and the practical effects of its closure on the surrounding economy.
Its cultural importance should not be overstated: the building is the heritage asset, while Studio 146 was one of several later commercial uses. Nevertheless, the club continued the site’s long entertainment tradition, linking West’s Picture Company and the Empire theatre with live bands, hip-hop, electronic music and weekend dancing.
Visitor Tips and Information
The most important tip is not to use old Studio 146 listings as current travel information. The venue has no verified 2026 programme, no current ticket channel and no confirmed public opening hours. If the building is visited today, it should be treated as a heritage streetscape location and a commercial address, not as an operating nightclub.
There is no verified current dress code, age policy, photography rule, bag policy or prohibited-items list. Historical late-night licensed-venue listings should not be assumed to apply to any current occupant. Likewise, no current coat check, food menu, merchandise service, VIP facility or event security arrangement has been confirmed.
The strongest reasons to visit the area are the Empire Buildings’ architecture, the wider Stirling Terrace precinct and Albany’s central hospitality scene. The heritage record places the building within a streetscape of late Victorian and Federation-era structures, making the exterior worth seeing even though the former performance room is not available as a public event venue.
Visitor Reviews and Experiences
Online visitor feedback for the former club is mixed and should be read as historical, user-generated opinion rather than a formal service assessment. One directory records a rating of approximately 2.6 out of 5 from 37 votes, while another displays approximately 2.65 out of 5 from 73 reviews. Available comments refer to the central location, party atmosphere and occasional service concerns, but the sample is not sufficiently transparent to support a detailed judgement about every event or period of operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 146 Stirling Terrace in Albany open as Studio 146?
No. The former Studio 146 nightclub is currently listed as permanently closed. A separate current directory identifies Albany Darklite Tattoo at the street number, so visitors should not assume that the former club interior is open or available for entertainment. No current nightclub hours, event programme or ticket sales were verified as of 16 September 2026.
Are there any Studio 146 events in 2026?
No verified Studio 146 events in 2026 were found. The available concert listing shows zero upcoming concerts, and no reopening notice or future booking announcement could be confirmed. Albany’s wider 2026 programme includes activity around Stirling Terrace, but the official announcements reviewed name nearby businesses and public spaces rather than Studio 146.
What were the last confirmed performances at Studio 146?
The most recent publicly indexed performances located were Great Gable on 20 March 2021 and Drapht on 20 November 2021. These dates come from concert-history listings, which may not capture every local or privately promoted event. They are the latest performances that could be independently verified in the available public records, not necessarily the final shows ever held there.
What kind of music did Studio 146 book?
The venue’s documented programme included Australian indie and alternative bands, hip-hop performers, electronic acts, DJs and late-night dance events. Confirmed examples include Great Gable, Drapht, Spacey Jane, Ghost Care, Zeke Beats and San Cisco. This mix suggests a flexible club format that could support both touring live acts and DJ-led nights rather than a single specialist genre.
Can I still buy tickets for Studio 146?
No current tickets could be verified because the venue is listed as permanently closed. Archived ticket references may remain searchable, but they relate to past performances and should not be interpreted as active sales. There is no confirmed current box office, door-sales arrangement, presale system or private-event booking process for Studio 146.
What was the original building called?
The building is known as the Empire Buildings and is also associated with West’s Picture Company. Its formal heritage address covers 146–152 Stirling Terrace, at the York Street corner. Studio 146 was a later nightclub use within part of that larger heritage commercial building, not the original name of the property.
When was the Empire Buildings constructed?
The Empire Buildings were constructed from 1912. Heritage records identify the site as a Federation Free Style commercial building designed for shops and a picture theatre. The property replaced an earlier single-storey bungalow-style structure on the corner and became part of Albany’s important early twentieth-century commercial streetscape.
How many people could the original theatre hold?
The original picture theatre was capable of seating up to 1,000 people. That figure belongs to the 1912 theatre configuration and should not be used as the capacity of the later nightclub. No reliable current Studio 146 capacity, crowd limit, floor-area schedule or event-by-event maximum was found.
Did the building have a balcony?
Yes, the original theatre included a dress circle, and a 1927 redesign added a balcony to provide additional seating. This is a documented feature of the former picture-house interior. There is no dependable public plan confirming whether any balcony or raised viewing area remained accessible or usable during the later Studio 146 nightclub period.
Was Studio 146 a seated venue?
Not in its usual nightclub format. Historical reviews describe live performances in a club environment with audience members gathering on the dance floor, while the original Empire theatre was designed for formal cinema seating. No current seating map, reserved-seat scheme, VIP plan or general-admission layout has been published for the later venue.
What was the nightclub’s capacity?
No verified permanent Studio 146 capacity was located. A 150-person limit reported in February 2022 came from COVID-era restrictions applying to nightclubs and was not presented as the building’s normal maximum. The historic 1,000-seat theatre figure is also not applicable to the nightclub. Capacity therefore should be described as unverified rather than estimated.
What sound and lighting equipment did Studio 146 use?
No authoritative technical rider or equipment inventory was found. Public sources do not reliably identify the sound system, mixing desk, loudspeakers, monitors, stage lighting, lasers, rigging, video equipment or power capacity. Artists and promoters may have supplied additional production for individual shows, but those arrangements are not documented in the available venue records.
Was the venue wheelchair accessible?
No venue-specific accessibility statement could be verified. The heritage material records a new ground-level entrance as part of the 2000 nightclub adaptation, but that does not prove a compliant step-free route, accessible toilet, accessible viewing position, hearing loop or companion policy. Because Studio 146 is closed, there are no current event access arrangements to confirm.
Where is 146 Stirling Terrace?
It is on the corner of Stirling Terrace and York Street in central Albany, Western Australia. The address sits within the historic Stirling Terrace precinct, above Princess Royal Harbour and close to Albany’s central commercial streets. The heritage record covers the broader 146–152 Stirling Terrace property.
Is there parking at the former venue?
No dedicated Studio 146 parking facility was verified. Drivers must use available CBD parking and follow the signs at each bay because time limits vary across Albany. ACROD bays require a valid permit, and parking on verges, footpaths, bus bays or restricted areas can attract penalties. Older online claims about specific evening parking rules should not be relied upon.
What public transport serves the area?
Albany has regional coach services, with the Transwa stop located opposite the old railway station. From there, visitors need to continue into central Albany by walking, taxi or another local connection. A dedicated late-night service for the former nightclub was not verified, and there is no current event shuttle because Studio 146 is not operating as an event venue.
Why did Studio 146 close?
The documented 2022 closure was linked to COVID-19 restrictions, including a two-square-metre rule and a 150-person nightclub cap. The sources reviewed do not establish the exact final closure date or a definitive long-term reason for the business ending. A current directory now marks the venue permanently closed, but the final operating decision was not publicly explained in detail.
Why was Studio 146 important to Albany?
For many years it was described as Albany’s only nightclub and late-night licensed venue, attracting hundreds of young adults on weekend nights. Its closure affected nearby late-night trade, with one kebab business reporting a 10–15 per cent weekly income reduction. The venue therefore mattered not only as a music room, but also as part of Albany’s social and evening economy.
