BRISBANE — 1973 · Major Tragedy

Whiskey Au Go Go Nightclub Firebombing

SolvedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

At 2:08 am on 8 March 1973 an arson attack set fire to the entrance of the Whiskey Au Go Go nightclub in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley. About 50 people were inside; because of inadequate escape routes, 15 died from smoke inhalation. Two men were quickly arrested and in October 1973 were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. However, the police methods in the case and whether others were involved remained disputed for decades. The Queensland government announced in 2017 that the inquest would be reopened; hearings began in 2021.

Date: 1973
Place: Queensland, Australia, Brisbane, AU
Category: Major Tragedy
Case Status: Solved
Coordinates: -27.4570, 153.0340 ↗

Timeline of Events

8 March 1973The club entrance was set alight; 15 people died.
10 March 1973Two suspects were arrested.
23 October 1973The two accused were sentenced to life for murder.

2 June 2017The Queensland government announced the inquest would be reopened.
June 2021Hearings of the reopened inquest began.

Sources

Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.