Venues

Jazz Office

The Jazz Office is the place to buy a Festival Pass, pick up your pre-paid Festival Pass badge or programs, buy a raffle ticket or 10, and catch up with jazz friends old and new. Come and say hi!

The Jazz Office is next to the Merimbula Visitor Information Centre, near the traffic lights and opposite McDonalds. Look for our JAZZ OFFICE banners on Market Street. There’s plenty of parking, and public toilets, behind the Visitor Information Centre in Park Street. Alternate parking is on Beach Street.

Jazz Office Opening Hours

The Jazz Office will only be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday on the weekend of the festival. If you are arriving after 3pm on the Saturday, please make alternative arrangements for picking up pre-purchased tickets.

  • Thursday 9am – 5pm
  • Friday 9am – 9pm
  • Saturday from 9am – 3pm

If you’re after individual day or session passes, these can be purchased at the Jazz Office or at Club Sapphire or the Merimbula RSL Club.  Look out for the signs saying “Session Passes Here” at the main bars or venue entrances.

Spencer Park

Spencer Park on Main Street is starting point for the Lantern Walk on Saturday starting at 5.30pm.

Merimbula RSL

The RSL Function Room will feature many of this year’s big bands with a smattering of other styles to mix things up.

The Maple Leaf Room is located downstairs by the back carpark. With it’s beautiful grand piano, this intimate venue is ideal for mainstream jazz and an intimate sound.

Session passes will be available for sale downstairs at the RSL desk opposite the Maple Leaf Room.

Club Sapphire

Want to see big bands back to back? The Audi is the place to be! The Auditorium at Club Sapphire has ample seating and a good sized dance floor.

During the festival The Sapphire Room upstairs is the venue where you’re most likely to see the largest range of styles in one place. It fits big audiences with a good sized dance floor.  The Sapphire Room is the home of the Down South Jazz Club who host events once a month.

Twyford Hall

Twyford Hall is known as the “home” of trad jazz at the Merimbula Jazz Festival. Twyford was the first jazz festival venue  in 1981.

NOTE: The Hall got a major facelift in 2022 and is part of the new Twyford Theatre. Entry is on Market Street via the large metal door for both musicians and Jazz Lovers.

Lakeview Hotel

The Lakeview Hotel is renowned for its fantastic views over the lake and good food. It is the place to hear modern and mainstream jazz.

Dulcie’s Cottage

It’s intimate, cosy and uber-cool. Dulcie’s Cottage is an original weatherboard cottage in Merimbula, built in 1925 by Arthur and Dulcie Goodsill which has been reimagined into a watering hole that serves burgers, cocktails and craft beers. Pop in anytime but especially on Friday 6pm-8pm, Saturday 6pm-8pm and Sunday 2pm-4pm when they are hosting small jazz groups.

Busking Venues

Buskers with their own equipment are welcome at the following places and times:

  • Grassy knoll on Beach Street opp. Twyford Hall. Sunday 9am- 11am. Monday 11am-3pm.
  • Hyland Corner. Friday before 5pm. Saturday 11am-5pm. Sunday 9am- 5pm. Monday 11am-3pm.
  • Outside the Jazz Office. Friday before 5pm. Monday 11am-3pm. 

Musicians click here to find out what facilities are supplied at the venues.