Simeon Lord Shotkickers
Shotkickers is a lively music bar in Thornbury that showcases Melbourne’s diverse music scene with the best up-and-coming, emerging, and established acts, seven nights a week.
The venue’s new owner, Simeon Lord, has roots that run deep in Melbourne’s hospitality scene, having worked everywhere from live music-focused dive bar kitchens to hatted restaurants. The defining moment of his cooking career came when he was awarded a Chef’s Hat from the Good Food Guide – something he had been tirelessly working toward since the age of 14. After that crowning achievement, he took a step back to diversify his skills, learning to cook different cuisines and working in different types of venues.
The moment that changed everything came in 2017, when Simeon took a job at The Gem in Collingwood to learn how to cook American BBQ. It was his first time working at a live music venue, and from the moment he set foot inside, he knew he wanted to own his own live music venue. Eventually the right opportunity arose in 2025, with Shotkickers. You’ll now find Simeon working front-of-house pouring pints, whilst balancing the admin side of operating his own bar.
We speak with Simeon about his connection to Thornbury, his favourite travel stories, and how he’s championing Melbourne’s music scene through Shotkickers.
(Photos from Simeon Lord, Shotkickers)
Mosey Guide (mg): What is your connection to Thornbury?
Simeon Lord (sl): I’ve worked at Shotkickers in Thornbury since we took over in July, 2025, but I’ve lived nearby in Brunswick for over a decade. What the community stands for is what keeps me here, being able to add and support that social fabric and strengthen it.
The neighbourhood has always held a special place in my heart — from unintentionally late nights at Cafe Gummo, with more than a couple pints, to the many gigs I've been to up and down High Street over the last 15 years. Tackling my first venue in this area felt like a natural step!
(mg) What does Thornbury mean to you?
(sl) Thornbury is a rare gem in any modern metropolitan city — it’s a space that values community and connection. It stands for its beliefs, and puts them before profits. It’s the people who make sure this sense of community and culture remains. Supporting and understanding marginalised people, approaching mental illness from a place of compassion, rather than fear or malice. Thornbury means community.
Thornbury is a rare gem in any modern metropolitan city — it’s a space that values community and connection. It stands for its beliefs and puts them before profits. It’s the people who make sure this sense of community and culture remains.
(mg) How does being in Thornbury shape what you do?
(sl) Place is essential to work — I’m fortunate enough to be able to choose where I work, and I always strive to remain aware of that privilege. Being able to surround myself with people who share similar socio-political beliefs, people who love the same music as me, and love a good feed and appreciate a good brew. Being in Thornbury allows me to create something that is reflective of my authentic self — not having to compromise to appease a community I don’t connect with.
(mg) What makes Thornbury different from other places you’ve lived or worked?
(sl) The people — community is essential to our social fabric, and to find a place that still has such a strong sense of it feels special — almost like something lost which we all yearn for.
(mg) What does your perfect day in Thornbury look like?
(sl) 25 degrees, clear skies with warm sun hitting my arms, while I sink a pint of Tallboy & Moose Mates Rates IPA. Throw in some raucous live music, and I’m in heaven.
(mg) Who are the other makers, creators, or people in the neighbourhood that inspire you?
(sl) The bands and artists that surround me here in Thornbury. The bands who come through Shotkickers and any of the other small live music venues around High Street, who work tirelessly to create music, not for financial gain or clout, but because they want to share their gift and bring joy into the lives of others. Especially my neighbours Tahlia and James at Shopfront. Not only are they incredibly talented musicians and artists in their own right, they also open up their space for gallery viewings and small live music performances.
(mg) What are you working on right now that excites you?
(sl) Shotkickers’ sister venue, located at 742 High Street, is due to open later this year. I thought taking over a community-loved venue was a major task. Setting the foundations to start a completely new one is a whole other level!
Community is essential to our social fabric, and to find a place that still has such a strong sense of it feels special — almost like something lost which we all yearn for.
(mg) What is the most memorable trip you’ve taken?
(sl) I’m privileged enough that I’ve been able to travel through huge parts of the world. South America and Antarctica are the only continents I’m yet to set foot on. A little over twenty years ago, I was an exchange student in high school and was fortunate enough to have a wonderful family take me into their home in Southern California, the very Southern end of San Diego in a place called Escondido. That particular trip forever changed the way that I viewed life.
(mg) Where is your next travel destination?
(sl) Japan is at the absolute top of my list. Between the incredible food culture, and the amazing underground punk music scene, I absolutely cannot wait until I get the opportunity to spend some time experiencing the life and culture of Japan.
(mg) How has travel changed the way you see the world?
(sl) Travel opens you up to new norms — it challenges your understanding of the world, and forces you to understand and relate to people who have experienced an entirely different way of life, and what it means. It exposes you to new ways of doing the essentials — ways of eating, ingredients for cooking. God, even having to stop and taking a moment to consider sourcing water (something which we can take for granted at home, having clean drinking water so readily available).
(mg) If you could recommend anywhere in the world for a mosey, where would it be?
(sl) If we’re talking immediately — your own neighbourhood. Seek out those side streets, admire the buildings, the lives that have moved through those spaces and the changes that have led to it being the place it is, and seek out those local businesses; your neighbourhood bar, the back street cafe or bakery, the small convenience store — places where you’ll witness community in action.
If we’re talking trips — Lake Akaroa, in New Zealand’s South Island. That has got to be one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Heading up to the hills and staring out over the harbour.
Seek out those side streets, admire the buildings, the lives that have moved through those spaces and the changes that have led to it being the place it is...
Local knowledge
Favourite local ingredient or product:
I’m honestly obsessed with the crackling pork banh mi from Saigon Bites across the road from Shotkickers. Best banh mi I’ve had in ages. I get one at least once a week.
What to do beyond High Street:
Go for a mosey and check out the back streets, there’s always something new to discover. Otherwise, head to Sydney Road in Brunswick. If you like High Street, you’ll like Sydney Road.
Best coffee in the neighbourhood:
Slampies — it’s my go to coffee spot around here.
Favourite shop:
Psarakos Market.
Go-to spot to reset or find inspiration:
When you spend so much of your life working in a busy and social industry, you often find the most important places for reflection and deep thought is in isolation. Whether that be on the couch at home, sitting by the firebox of my smoker — anticipating the lengthy wait and great rewards — or in a local park in the hours when the regulars are at work.
Favourite time of day in Thornbury:
Sundown — seeing the warm glow fall over the west. It signals the end of the work day for most, the tapping of kegs, and countless bands stepping out to stage to kick off nights across our city. As silly as it sounds, seeing the sunset over the servo across the road is actually quite picturesque. We love it so much that we actually put it on a poster.
Neighbourhood must-eats:
Burgers at Shotkickers, obviously! But seriously, there’s so many amazing places to eat. For cheap and cheerful, burgs at Shotties or a banh mi from Saigon Bites. If you want a more restaurant-esque experience, Tao Dumplings in Northcote or Umberto’s in Thornbury. If you want an upscale dining experience, Vex in Northcote or Ballard’s in Thornbury.
Thornbury’s best kept secret:
Psarakos Market. Everyone in the neighbourhood knows it, but as soon as you leave Northcote/Thornbury, nobody seems to have heard of it. An amazing deli, and some of the best fresh produce I’ve seen available to the general public.
24 hours in Melbourne:
Since I live in Brunswick, that’s where we’d start. Brekkie and a Bloody Mary at my local cafe and coffee roastery, Project 281. Then up Sydney Road to Subculture Brewing, a little micro-brewery and bar, for a couple pints of whatever Luke’s newest creation is. Down Sydney Road to Ollie’s Pizza Parlour, my favourite pizza place in Melbourne. Then off to Shotkickers for a gig, followed by a cocktail down the road at Franklins, and rounding out the evening with some late night shenanigans at Cafe Gummo.
