Australians have taken aim at a popular entertainment venue after it slapped a hefty price tag on a single can of alcohol. The outrage erupted on social media when a concertgoer shared the eye-watering cost of a 375ml ready-to-drink Hard Rated beverage at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena.
Taking to Reddit, one unhappy punter was flummoxed at the 'diabolical' price. 'One can... $15 at Rod Laver Arena tonight,' they wrote. 'Highway robbery. Still purchased it, obviously.'
The move hasn't gone down well with gig-goers, who flocked to the comments to question why there is a premium price slapped on the premixed drink. 'Far out, glad I don't drink much anymore,' one said. 'It always sucks to buy food and drinks at events and arenas, they hike those prices up so damn high at those places,' another put. 'For one can? Are they f*****g serious? That makes it $360 for a carton. Get lost,' a third fumed.
'Absolute price gouging. People just have to stop paying these prices,' a fourth weighed in. 'I wouldn't pay $15 for a can of anything,' a fifth added. Other Reddit users argued the poster was partly contributing to the problem by choosing to buy the drink despite the inflated stadium pricing. 'I've got an idea. DON'T BUY IT!' one replied. 'They'll charge what the consumer will pay - congrats, you proved them right,' a second said. 'Bro, you can't complain and still buy it,' a third said. 'You are the problem if you bought that for $15,' a fourth agreed. 'The fact you still purchased it p****s me off. How are they wrong then?' a fifth commented.
SkyNews.com.au has approached Rod Laver Arena for comment. It comes as the number of Aussies shouting a round at the pub has dipped, as tight budgets and price pressures mean this classic act has become too expensive for many. Research from comparison site Finder showed that 27 per cent of Aussies were not buying rounds for friends over the past 12 months to save cash. Another 17 per cent said they have cut back on buying rounds of drinks or food when out with friends, while about 28 per cent said they were never shouting in the first place. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese froze the beer excise for a two-year period, which started in August 2025, in a bid to ease cost pressures.
