Beloved Metro Vancouver concert venue closing after 'hardest decision' | Daily Hive

Daniel Chai/Daily Hive

After years of providing a home for live shows for local bands, musicians, and artists in Metro Vancouver, Bully’s Studio has announced that it will be closing its concert venue.

The long-time New Westminster music space, a short walk from Columbia Station, posted the news on social media, explaining that “one of the hardest decisions” was made after ever-rising costs and business pressures had taken a toll on its operators.

“The time, money and effort we’ve put into the studio has left us with financial, personal and health problems, and frankly, we can’t afford to keep going as we have been emotionally, physically and financially,” said Rob Leishman, owner of Bully’s Studios on Facebook and Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bullys Studios Inc (@bullysstudios)

You might also like:

Bully’s Studio opened as a rehearsal space in 2003, though the music venue at 67 6th St. in New Westminster has roots that can be traced to the 1950s when it was first known as the Tartini Music Store and Guitar Shop.

Leishman and his partner, Victoria Dexter, took over Bully’s nearly a decade ago, offering its rehearsal rooms to up-and-coming bands from across the region.

It also features a large space for album releases, open-mic nights, comedy events, product launches, and more, though the venue portion of the business will close at the end of 2025.

“Our intention was to provide a space that bands and artists could access without being taken advantage of,” explained Leishman in the announcement. “We did a good job of it between the Front and Bully’s for six years, but as costs have increased, I’ve had to make decisions that began to compromise those principles. That has been difficult for me to do as a long time musician that believes music and art has value.

“To continue the venue with the increasing pressures to generate revenue would be to start having to compromise those values further and frankly I’d like to be able to look in a mirror.”

Bully’s Studio

Leishman added that the rehearsal and jam spaces at Bully’s Studio will continue, and that he is taking bookings for the venue until the end of the year.

“If you want to play Bullys the time to hit us up is now, I’m planning on running shows every night until the end of year if there is enough interest in playing.

“We will continue to provide jam rooms and will look at adapting the main floor into jam rooms to at least provide that service to the community.”

Fans on Facebook thanked Leishman for all of his hard work for the community over the years.

Bully’s Studio

“Thank you for providing such a safe and joyful place for people of all kinds. Y’all at Bully’s will always have a special place in my soul,” said one commenter.

“So sorry to hear this, Rob,” added another. “You’ve done great to keep the studio going.

“You and your crew should be celebrated for all your hard work, devotion, and love of the music community you tried so hard to keep going. You all rock.”

Leishman thanked the community for their support.

“I want to thank each and every person that has supported or played here thank you thank you for being part of this. We have six months, let’s make some history while we still can.”