Cherry Bar owner steps away after anti-protest post backlash
James Young, the founder of Melbourne's iconic live music venue Cherry Bar, has agreed to step away from the company following a social media post in which he criticised ongoing CBD protests — a post his own partners described as deeply at odds with the venue's values.
Young's partners say they first learned of the Facebook post when they read it online, along with the general public. They moved quickly to have it removed. "We immediately were aghast as many were, and demanded the post be taken down," they wrote in a statement published Wednesday, February 25. The post has since been deleted.
In it, Young had vented frustration over what he described as more than two years of disruption to his AC/DC Lane venue, claiming recurring weekend protests were blocking customer access and devastating an already fragile hospitality and live music sector. Cherry Bar's long-running Cherry Blues Sunday sessions — a weekly showcase of local blues talent — have not been held in over two years, something Young attributed in part to the ongoing disruptions.
"Another weekend. Another protest in the city, that means people cannot access Cherry Bar," he wrote, adding that while "the protests vary, the pain is consistent." He directed criticism at both Melbourne City Council and the state government, accusing them of prioritising what he called the rights of "illegal protesters" over those of small business operators simply trying to keep their doors open and "pay our bloody rent."
His partners, however, were unequivocal in their rejection of those sentiments. "The views in that post do not represent the views of Cherry, the other partners, our staff, or associates," they said.
"Rock and roll has protest in its DNA. Its tradition platforms outsiders, amplifies rage, and turns noise into community — reminding us all that rebellion can be not just loud and creative, but hopeful too."
Following an in-person meeting, Young expressed remorse and acknowledged the harm caused by his words. At his partners' request, he has agreed to stand aside from the business for the time being. The statement urged the public to remember that Cherry Bar's staff were blameless and had endured a difficult few days as the fallout unfolded.
Jonathan Jackson, 26th February 2026
