The Empress Hotel was a pub and live music venue located at 714 Nicholson Street, in the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy North. The Empress Hotel closed in December 2013.HistoryThe pub was opened in 1873 by John Bourke, and named in honour of Queen Victoria, who had been proclaimed the Empress of India on 1 January 1877. In the late 20th century, it was frequented by employees of the North Fitzroy tram depot across the road, which has since fallen out of regular use.In the late 1980s, it became a live music venue, and has played a part in the Melbourne indie rock scene since then, hosting shows by many local bands and some touring acts.See also List of public houses in AustraliaReferences The Empress Hotel in North Fitzroy closes indefinitely Surprise exit for North Fitzroy's Empress