Tucked away on Penrith’s High Street, Elton Chong is more than just a dive bar—it's a stage for local talent to express themselves and make a living. With a 100-person capacity, the venue offers an accessible and dedicated space for live performances, giving artists a much-needed platform in Western Sydney.
Through the Live Performance Venue Program (LPVP), Elton Chong received $74,400 in funding to optimise its space for performances and gained insights to better market itself as the go-to venue in the area for musicians looking for a stage.
"The cohort [of LPVP participants] was definitely helpful. That open forum of ideas, and even the different venues, it’s like, “oh I would love to do this in my venue, but it wouldn’t suit, maybe it would work better in yours...”’ said Erin Arndell, Bar Manager at Elton Chong.
Since completing the Live Performance Venue Program, Elton Chong's weekly performances have jumped from 1-2 shows to up to 5 per week, expanding beyond solo acts, burlesque, comedy to include a broader range of rock, metal and heavy metal subgenres.
“We have a lot of heavy metal bands playing here, and it’s great to have a venue like this because there just aren’t many options out this way,"
Arndell added.
Now, Elton Chong has built a strong reputation among bands and artists as the heavy metal pub, leading to increased word-of-mouth and repeat performances, and cementing its place as a cornerstone of Penrith’s growing live music scene.
Want to strengthen your venue’s live performance offering? Find out how the Live Performance Venue Program can help you create a thriving space for artists and audiences alike.
