The NSW Minns Government has announced the recipients of the third round of its Venue Upgrade Grant, which pledges $3.8 million towards live music venues around the state.

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Aiming to combat the “rising costs and falling revenues” that have caused the recent closure of a spate of iconic Sydney music venues, the Venue Upgrade Grants will fund 33 metropolitan and regional venues to kit out their spaces with soundproofing, audiovisual gear and staging.

Across three different streams, the grant is designed to help venues deliver “compelling audiovisual experiences” as audiences increasingly turn to streaming services and social media for entertainment.

Recipients span from major Sydney music institutions including the Metro Theatre, Oxford Art Factory, the Enmore Theatre and City Recital Hall to pub venues including The Lansdowne, the Lord Gladstone and the Brass Monkey, which recieves $121,096 for upgrades to its stage, backline and soundproofing.

Outside the city, venues including Wollongong’s La La La’s, Newcastle’s King St Hotel, Byron Bay’s Beach Hotel and Coffs Harbour’s Hoey Moey will also recieve funding.

“In the last few months we’ve lost more than five venues in Sydney including Mary’s Underground and Moshpit Bar. These...