A guitar signed by John Lennon and Paul McCartney adorns the walls of Ocean Grove’s newest live-music venue.
It sits pride of place surrounded by an almost museum-like collection of original guitars and records signed by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Kurt Cobain, The Traveling Wilburys, Rolling Stones, Elton John, Queen, U2, Pink Floyd…the list goes on.
And while the memorabilia is a drawcard, punters have been flocking to The OG Bar for the acoustic live music, drinks menu, simple menu and the views.
The OG Bar is the brainchild of locals Jim and Chris Cushnahan and Lisa and Cam Johnson.
Jim has collected music memorabilia for decades.
“It’s the jewel in the crown,” Lisa says of the Lennon-McCartney guitar.
“Jimmy is a music fanatic and he got that 32 years ago.
“Jimmy had always wanted to open a bar. My husband saw all this music memorabilia lying in his garage and said ‘mate, people have to see this stuff it’s incredible’.”
The OG Bar hires local acoustic acts to play Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons and now has a steady stream of regular customers despite only being open for eight weeks.
“The locals love it,” Lisa says.
“We’ve got regulars now. We’ve got a couple of guys who come every second weekend. And they come Friday, Saturday and Sunday every second weekend.”
Situated at the former Thai Mekong restaurant upstairs on the corner of The Terrace and Presidents Avenue, the venue hosts perhaps the most stunning views on the peninsula, looking out over Bass Strait, the Bluff and surrounding countryside.
“The sunsets are incredible,” Lisa says.
“Every night the sunsets are different. If there’s ever a storm you can literally see a storm roll in and you can’t see the Bluff and then you see it roll out and the Bluff starts to appear. It’s just fantastic to sit and watch the weather from here.”
