Next time you stroll down Collins Street, look up. Perched atop number 188, the Roman goddess Minerva has kept a watchful eye over the city since 1887, a grand guardian for the iconic Athenaeum Theatre below. But this historic building has a lot more hidden inside. This Friday, 9 October, the theatre is welcoming a candlelit tribute to Pink Floyd, reimagining the band’s atmospheric epics for strings.
16 January 2027 18:30
The Athenaeum Theatre
Pink Floyd built their reputation on transportive soundscapes, pioneering the kind of immersive concert experiences that defined an era. So where better to re-experience their magic than inside a heritage theatre bathed in the soft flickering glow of thousands of candles? The talented ensemble Eclectic Strings will breathe new life into timeless classics like “Wish You Were Here,” “Comfortably Numb,” and “Another Brick In The Wall”.
The Athenaeum Theatre: a piece of Melbourne history
The setting itself carries nearly two centuries of stories. Founded in 1839 as the Melbourne Mechanics’ Institute, The Athenaeum is officially the city’s oldest cultural institution. Over the decades, its walls have housed everything from art galleries and reading rooms to silent cinemas, before officially evolving into the beloved theatre Melburnians cherish today. Step inside and you’ll find Victoria’s oldest heritage-listed lift still clinking away.
Whether you want to catch a play, see the latest musical or attend an enchanting Candlelight concert, The Athenaeum remains the ultimate backdrop for an unforgettable night out in Melbourne’s CBD.
