Reel talk: Barry's Bait Shop is Hopkins Creek's beloved pub parody

The idea of ‘Australiana’ is one often at odds with modern dance culture. The crudeness of ‘Aussie’ humour and sensibilities is a reputation which has spread across the globe, not only in popular culture, but to venues, clubs and festivals the world over.

To be crude, to be all too relaxed, to be loud and to be boisterous are what that kind of personality and ‘culture’ is commonly known to be. To many, that kind of ‘so-called-Australian’ approach can’t mesh with the history and context upon which dance and electronic music sit.

But those are, in theory, by no means undesirable traits, particularly where having a good time is concerned.

The ‘Australian’ festival is, generally speaking, one that has undergone a process of becoming nationally-agnostic. While the bush doof, particularly those of a more DIY kind have moved in a direction which, generally speaking, focuses more on sound and connection to land over all else, more commercial festivals have started to focus more on high production than a sense of personality that might otherwise be reflected in a sea of doof sticks.

Hopkins Creek, however, is a festival that comfortably and confidently explores the idea of ‘Australiana’ in everything it does.

The festival returns next week following a three-year hiatus, with tickets unsurprisingly selling out in record time. The festival, originally situated in the iconic Kulkurt Crater, grew a reputation for its larger-than-life humour, sense of character and unabashed positivity. Having gone through a series of huge setbacks and cancellations, its that kind of ‘spirit’ that has cemented it in the minds and hearts of many punters not only across Victoria, but the country.

Hopkins’ most ‘Aussie’ element is, to those who have been, Barry’s Bait Shop. The Bait Shop, Hopkins’ answer to the ‘bar in an otherwise BYO environment’ puzzle piece, is anything but simply that.

It’s not always easy to lean into the more community-oriented charm Australia is known for while also showing deep care and respect for First Nations people, but that balance is something Hopkins has worked hard to honour.

Barry’s is a hub of gags, characters and activity, and one of the festival’s most happening stages. Whether through raffles, announcements, jokes, happy hours and often comic performances either by well-known DJs or its house band, Hooks, Lines & Sinkers, Barry’s is the epitome of this ‘Australiana’ kind of spirit given a modern festival home.

To explain, Mixmag ANZ has secured an exclusive interview with Barry himself, made up of the funny bones of a variety of Hopkins staff, but most explicitly, Gary Sunrise. Here’s what Barry had to say.

BARRY: Barry’s Bait Shop is a collaboration between Three Circles, Hopkins Creek and me, Barry, your honorary publican and namesake. However, the Bait Shop wasn’t always part of the festival.

Hopkins was already established as a small festival (initially a gathering of friends, then of friends of friends, and so on). We all hail from within the same friendship circles, having attended and played at the festival over the years, and becoming rather fond of it.

It was in the afterglow of Hopkins 2017 that a conversation spawned within the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre. We were reflecting on the incredible Hopkins weekend that had been, concluding that all it needed was a great bar. Josh, one of the founders, threw it over to Three Circles, asking if they’d be interested, and the rest of that hazy conversation was based around dreaming up a wonky ethereal bar experience. In the following months, the story of the Bait Shop was penned. And the rest was history!

BARRY: Ah, yes, Disco Don, I’m his little brother! The Don has been pretty slack over the years, to be honest, but he was living abroad. My old man, Mick, on the other hand, hasn’t missed a single Bait Shop!

Buuuut, I’m very pleased to advise Disco Don will be making his triumphant return this year. It’s a momentous occasion for Barry and the freaks.

BARRY: I think so! The Bait Shop draws from the people, places, and experiences we all associate with a good time, blending global influences with a strong sense of Australiana nostalgia. It's a nod to '90s local community pub culture, reimagined through a modern dance-music lens.

Our goal was to create a unique, unexpected space, somewhere that makes people walk in and say, “What the fuck is going on in here?!” with the utmost curiosity and delight. We always imagined it as a warm, weird, yet familiar and welcoming backdrop for a weekend full of twists and turns.

BARRY: Well, etched above the official Bait Shop coat of arms is “Le haghaidh Iascaireachta agus Freaks” which translates to “For fishin’ n freaks”. And the crater estate carried an abundance of both. The Shop was always intended as a refuge from the real world.

A safe space where one could lose track of time, converse with old and new friends, dance the night away and sip on exquisite (reasonably priced) drinkable liquids. And there was simply no better place to do so than under the eclipse of an alien-induced crater!

And look, maybe the fact that a couple of the festival founders are local to the area and convinced the farmers to let them throw a small doof within the hallowed crater also played a role.

BARRY: The lake was fished dry on several occasions, including the water one year! But, as the stories of the Gunditjmara peoples will confirm, the water always returns, as do the majestic Hopkins Creek eels. And in turn, the fisher-peeps and freaks of course! It’s one of life’s greatest cyclical mysteries.

BARRY: The Bait Shop is constantly evolving, but its core personality stays the same. Each year, we throw in fresh creative twists, whether it’s a dunk tank, spin-the-wheel, or a raffle. Keeping things interesting while maintaining that familiar vibe.

The new site is quite stunning. It’s different from the crater, but shares a few key qualities. The Bait Shop has always sat on a hill, overlooking the festival, giving it a sense of connection to everything happening around it. The new spot keeps that feel, but with a more picturesque bush backdrop.

The Bait Shop will be the same, but naturally a little different. It has to be. Another few years older, weirder, and wiser. In the end, it’s the people who define the space. We’re just here as a vessel to get the beloved freaks and barflies wherever they need to go.

BARRY: Looking back, the Bait Shop's folklore was cemented in its very first year. The weather turned pretty wild, and the main stage had to be shut down for safety due to some crazy winds. Then came the radio call: the Bait Shop would host the main stage acts, accommodating ~2,000 people. We laughed nervously, cranked the smoke machines, loaded up the cocktail shakers, and braced for one of the most unforgettable nights on record.

What followed is etched in many people’s memories. The sky unleashed an unimaginable amount of rain, lightning, thunder, and wind. Whilst the Bait Shop took on the whole Saturday night program. Packed shoulder-to-shoulder, punters grinned ear-to-ear. Samo DJ delivered a killer set before handing over to Mitsuki, who carted three massive record bags up to the ‘Shop. I think he ended up playing for nearly five hours, ushering in a very welcome sunrise to warm the crater for day three.

That fateful night, when the entire festival gathered at the Bait Shop, it became a mythical refuge. Quite a few tents were flattened or full of water, so the Bait Shop was all we had. The energy, the hype, and the sense of community really took root from there.

BARRY: In a time where festivals are becoming more polished, branded, and curated, we think the Bait Shop stands out because it doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is… authentic, original, playful and a little wonky. We’ve always kept things fun and light-hearted. It’s not about sleek activations or sensory gimmicks; it’s about creating a space where people feel genuinely welcome and engaged.

The décor and backdrop also play a role; we put a heap of love into that, but the real magic comes from the people. Our bar staff aren’t just slinging drinks; they’re publicans, vibe ambassadors, and conversation starters. From the moment you approach the bar, you’re met with a big grin and someone who’s always down for a yarn. It sets the tone.

But honestly, it’s the punters that make it sing. The Hopkins crowd is second to none. There’s this incredible core following and personality the festival has built… everyone’s friendly, open, and there for a good time, “not a long time”.

The Bait Shop and that crowd just click. It’s a two-way exchange of energy, mutual understanding and bewilderment. We pick up their vibe as much as they hopefully pick up on ours.

And you can’t manufacture that. It’s real. It’s lived-in and naturally evolved over the years. It’s why the Bait Shop matters more than ever in today’s festival landscape.

BARRY: To us, that ‘Australian’ quality is less about clichés and more about spirit. It’s that sense of a down-to-earth local pub, where everyone’s welcome, there’s no dress code (although fishing gear is always encouraged), and the bar staff actually want to talk to you. We’ve just dragged that concept into the present day and turned the dial up a bit.

We think there’s something liberating about stepping into a themed space where you can let your guard and hair down. People almost take on a character when they walk into the Bait Shop, but, ironically, it perhaps brings out their most genuine selves, free of self-consciousness or prejudice. No one's trying to impress; they're just dancing and connecting.

Above all, the Bait Shop sets a tone for friendliness, humour and inclusion. It’s a bit scrappy, a bit cheeky, and fully self-aware, but never mean-spirited. It reflects a version of Australian culture that’s warm, open, and up for a good time. We think that’s what makes it feel so real.

BARRY: Haha, very generous of you to suggest there’s any real scheduling going on. Truth be told, we’re often winging it. Luckily, that loose, unpredictable energy seems to fit quite nicely with the Bait Shop narrative.

That said, we do always have a few tricks up our sleeve. There’s a loose plan in place, but it’s somewhat flexible, more like a vibe check than a run sheet. Throughout the weekend, we keep an eye on energy levels, do a quick health check on the freaks, and, when the moment feels right, dial things up.

We keep things a bit spontaneous and just the right amount of unhinged. It’s part of what makes the Bait Shop feel alive. People never quite know what’s coming next, and at times, neither do we.

BARRY: The dunk tank was pretty classic. We overheard some guys talking about the ridiculousness of hauling a dunk tank through the crater and up to the Shop on day 3 of the festival. We may have grossly underestimated the fill time using a household garden hose, up 30m of elevation… I think the tank took almost 5 hours to set up and fill. The actual dunking took no longer than 45 mins – BUT the memories are lifelong.

Barry losing his voice on day 3 is always quite funny. And probably quite fortuitous, right when everyone’s had enough of his antics.

Barry accidentally locked himself in the cool room, still holding the mic. He called for his release from the cool room via the house PA, but the consensus was that a short break was needed. So the mic was cut, and we let him entertain himself for a few cold minutes.

The first year we ran the Bait Shop still gives nightmares. We had absolutely no idea what we were doing concerning any systems for making efficient cocktails. But no one seemed to care; everyone was happy to roll with it. At one point, we set up an express line for anyone who just wanted to grab a quick tinnie, and about two people moved from the cocktail line, which was 50 deep.

The house band, Hooks, Lines & Sinkers, is always a hell of a time and quintessentially Bait Shop. Swapping out the pool table for a 7-piece live band in the Bait Shop setting always seems ludicrous.

The spinning wheel of fortune was a Shop favourite and definitely set the tone for that Friday night meat raffle vibe. One of the “prizes” was undertaking an anchovy layback with mechanical assistance.

BARRY: The year of the storm is an obvious one, with everyone coming together in the Bait Shop!

Mitsuki playing records for 5+ hours in the Bait Shop after the storm, welcoming in the sunrise, was pretty special. Ten City – All Loved Out (Joe Claussel Mix), after the sun had risen, will be forever etched in everyone’s mind who was fortunate to see it. A very special Bait Shop/ Crater moment.

Darcy Justice's hip hop set on the Saturday one year ago was one for the ages. The Bait Shop was absolutely heaving!

BARRY: The people. The loyal returning freaks and barflies are what it’s all about.

The regular heads sauntering back to the bar for another round of spicy marlins. Often trying to undermine our bar staff with shouts of pickleback pippies (which of course we have to refuse under our strict responsible service of alcohol obligations)

We have over 40 volunteers and staff. Seeing them return each year brings a big smile— they bring an amazing energy to the front and back of house.

Calling free booze for the final hour of the festival and letting punters help themselves to a nightcap to end the festival.

BARRY: People come to the Bait Shop for many reasons, but to have a proper dance is very high on the list. There’s a real “anything goes” mentality once you enter the Bait Shop, both from the DJs, musicians and the crowd. It’s not about set times or headliners, it’s more about energy and spontaneity.

The Bait Shop is a space where people feel comfortable letting loose. That fun-loving, light-hearted vibe shapes how people engage with the music.

BARRY: It starts with a close group of friends who genuinely enjoy building something like this together. That shared interest, curiosity and history is the foundation. The Bait Shop is also a bit of a stretch from our collective day jobs, so it’s a rare chance for us to lean into something more playful and creative. We genuinely look forward to it each year.

We’re lucky to be part of a festival like Hopkins, which gives us the freedom, encouragement and support to run with the weird and wacky. That kind of creative license is rare; it’s mutually shared with the festival directors, and we don’t take it for granted. Hopkins is also an incredibly well-run festival; the founders are in it for the right reasons and never skimp on quality. They’ve poured their heart and soul into this festival, and it shows.

Special mention to all the amazing staff and volunteers across the entire festival, from planning and setup to festival operations over the weekend and pack down. Power to the beautiful people!

BARRY: Hopkins and the Bait Shop are cut from the same cloth. Both were born out of a bunch of close mates wanting to throw a party, share good music, and create something a bit different. That origin is a big part of why the Bait Shop feels so at home there.

The festival itself has this beautifully unpretentious energy. It feels more like you’re camping with a few thousand of your extended friendship circle than attending a major event. That kind of vibe naturally complements the Bait Shop, which has always been about connection, spontaneity, and not taking things too seriously.

In a lot of ways, the Bait Shop is just an extension of the festival, and the festival is an extension of the Bait Shop. The two have grown together, feeding off each other’s quirks and energy. Hopkins gives us the space and support to be as weird and creative as we like, and in return, we try to add something that feels genuinely part of the fabric, not just a bolt-on.

BARRY: Oh, honestly, everything! Distance makes the heart grow fonder. It’s been a hot minute, and we’re all absolutely stinging to dust off the rods and flick a few soft plastics across the ‘Shop.

The lineup is incredible as always. The ticket capacity has increased to a nice, round 3,000. It’s sold out. It’s a new festival site. The drinks menu is shaping up rather nicely as always… look out for the Yuzu Yabby, Barry Ablett, Guinness on tap and the mysterious $69 “Experience”. And of course, ye old faithful as a nod to the yesteryear… the Crater Juice.

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Hopkins Creek takes place next weekend, Friday, November 7th, through Sunday, November 9th.

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Jack Colquhoun is Mixmag ANZ's Managing Editor. Find him on Instagram.