Nestled on the ground floor of the historic George Hotel Building on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda, this heritage-listed site has been an integral part of the area since 1857. Over the years, the building has hosted a variety of functions and influential figures, with its ornate exterior and interior features reflecting the suburb’s early development and its significance in shaping Melbourne’s architectural landscape since the mid-1800s.

Today, George Lane occupies the space beneath the former Crystal Ballroom, a renowned music venue once housed within the George Hotel. Widely considered the heart of Melbourne’s post-punk movement, the Crystal Ballroom hosted legendary acts such as The Birthday Party, Dead Can Dance, Hunters and Collectors, Models, Crime and the City Solution, The Moodists, and many others. It also welcomed visiting Sydney bands like INXS, The Laughing Clowns, and Midnight Oil, as well as iconic acts from Brisbane, including The Go-Betweens and The Saints.