Over the past fourty years, the nightlife and pub scene in Geelong has undergone significant transformation. Formerly bustling with dozens of terrazzo-tiled pubs and smoky nightclubs, the city has witnessed the arrival and departure of numerous venues. While some have adapted to the changing times, few of the old favorites remain unchanged.
The introduction of licensed cafés, restaurants, and pokies, along with changes in drink driving laws and trading hours, has transformed Geelong’s nightlife beyond recognition from the 70s and 80s. Back then, pubs closed by 10:00, and entry often required a collar, thin tie, and shiny shoes, unlike today’s casual attire.
We’ve pieced together this story over many beers and good times in Geelong. If you have any additions or different memories, please share them with us on Facebook or Twitter.
Our journey begins with venues that are now just memories. The Ocean Child Hotel, once a prominent spot near the Ford plant, was demolished in 2015. The Railway’s Hotel, an iconic art deco establishment near the Brougham Street rail tunnel, met a similar fate. The Britannia, another grand art deco hotel on Yarra Street, made way for the Westfield pedestrian flyover after being a popular spot for meals, functions, and music until its closure around 2006.
The iconic Geelong Hotel on Moorabool Street succumbed to developers in February 2012, making way for the modern St John of God Hospital. During the 60s and 70s, the pub was famous for its giant Johnny Walker statue atop its staircase, a landmark visible for several city blocks. Over the years, the hotel underwent numerous renovations, with each visit often accompanied by the scent of fresh paint masking the sticky, drink-drenched carpets. Rebranded under various names like The Refinery, The Cotton Club, Pool Shark, and finally, the G Lounge and Two One Six Upstairs, the hotel’s upstairs venue saw its share of transformations.
The Wrong Crowd, located opposite the Geelong Hotel on Moorabool Street, traded for a few years in the 2010s before making way for the French-inspired restaurant Bistrot St Jean.
Other notable pubs that fell to developers include the Terminus Hotel, notorious for its “gentleman’s club” offerings, and the Bay View Hotel, both of which have been transformed into apartments after serving as pubs for over 150 years.
The once magnificent art deco Carlton Hotel was transformed into an office building for the NDIS, while the facade was preserved, the magnificent interior was replaced with modern amenities.
Developers transformed the iconic T&G Building for Deakin University, which once housed Basement 159 and the Limelight Lounge.
The National Hotel, affectionately known as the Nash, had sat vacant and in disrepair for several years but eventually reopened in late 2016 after a massive rebuild with a new format.
Similarly, the Carrington Hotel on Yarra Street, which closed in 2014, has undergone a massive transformation and reopened as the Centra in late 2015.
The Scottish Chiefs, Geelong’s oldest licensed premises dating back to 1848, closed in the 2013 and became a Taco Bell Mexican Restaurant for a while before returning to its pub roots in 2022 with the opening of LP.
The Queens Head, once located proudly in Ryrie Street, underwent several transformations as Wild West Coast Saloon, Peoples Pub, Room 99 and finally Titanium before closing in 2012. Today, the building houses an indian restaurant.
The George and Dragon building on Moorabool Street has seen several reincarnations as a pub and restaurants over the years, with the venue returning to a pub as TD’s Sports Bar and Grill in mid-2015.
The Sporting Globe, formerly the Preston Hotel, has undergone significant renovations since the mid-1980s, transforming it into a modern venue with various names for its upstairs venue.
In Malop Street, Mr. Hyde, Mrs. Hyde, and later Quban popped up in the early 2010s, each offering a unique atmosphere and theme. Just behind Mr. Hyde lies the grand old sandstone Wool Exchange building, once a popular nightclub hosting renowned bands. Though facing licensing issues in the late 1980s, the venue has undergone several changes in recent years, aiming to regain its status as one of Geelong’s premier venues.
The Lyric, housed in the historic bluestone St Giles Church on Gheringhap Street, was once a premier Geelong nightspot. Hosting renowned bands like Jimmy Barnes and Crowded House against the backdrop of spectacular stained glass windows, it was a world-class venue. However, as the nightlife scene shifted in the 2000s, the venue was sold off and now forms part of an office block.
In contrast, Home House, located in a transformed old wool store, has stood the test of time and emerged as one of the city’s leading nightspots. Previously known by various names like Platinum, Pier 40, and My Place, it continues to reinvent itself, even adopting the moniker Escalations II for a brief period after the original Escalations closed on James Street.
Speaking of James Street, the venue that has been home to nightspots since the 1970s, originally known as Valentines, has undergone numerous name changes over the years. From Rumours to Martini Lounge, Cream to Tonic, and many others, it has remained a prominent fixture in Geelong’s nightlife. Additionally, part of the venue once served as Geelong’s only underage nightclub in the late 1990s.
At the intersection of James Street and Little Malop Street stands Beav’s Bar, formerly known as Hi Fidelity and once a linen and material store. It has also housed various bars and restaurants, including Brodies, Torpedo, and Mr. Gators. Across the road, Dive Bar operated for several years before closing in early 2015. A newcomer in 2015, the Workers Club, quickly became one of the city’s most vibrant band venues until closing during Covid. Originally a newsagent, the building has undergone several transformations, including stints as Cats Café and Bar, Vinyl Bar, Kitty O’Sheas, and an Indian restaurant. Today the venue is the new home of the Piano Bar.
The Eureka Hotel has long been a cornerstone of Geelong’s nightlife, hosting legendary bands like INXS and Cold Chisel before undergoing a major renovation in the late 80s. Rebranded as the ESSC (Eureka Sports Saloon Café), it later underwent another transformation in 2010 to cater to a new generation of patrons.
Toast, located on the corner of Little Malop Street and Moorabool Streets, has a rich history, originally part of Woolworths Department Store before becoming Space Odyssey, McDonalds, and a Chinese Buffet. Renamed as Soma, then Club 4 Play, and later Rush nightclub, it was eventually rebranded as Bloom after a short shutdown.
The Corio Hotel on Yarra Street was rebranded as ICON and later the Bended Elbow, followed by The Yarra Hotel and finally The Geelong Hotel. Similarly, Gentleman’s Club Alley Cat was formerly the Caledonian, while the Phoenix Hotel was once the Wool Exchange Hotel. While the Joker’s Club was formerly the Criterion that featured a bar called Club Zero in the late 90s.
The Deck on Gheringhap Street, once known as the Golden Age and then the Max, is a popular spot for pub bands. Outside the city center, notable transformations include the Argyle Hotel becoming Irish Murphy’s and later the Gin & Co Supper Club, while the Queen of the West in Pakington Street became The Barking Dog before reverting to its original name.
In West Geelong, The Yardz in Church Street was once known as the Saleyards. The Waurn Ponds Hotel, previously home to Scanners and Gables, transformed into the Bull Pen before its current iteration. The Sphinx, formerly the Golf View, and the Bay International, once the Sundowner, have also undergone notable changes. Out west, the Derwent Hotel became Dog Rocks before returning to its original name after a major redevelopment. On the Bellarine, the Collendena Hotel became the Ocean Grove Hotel, while the Peninsula Hotel in Newcomb was once known as the Dinosaur Hotel.
If you remember any old venues we have forgotten or add to our research we would love to hear from you. Drop us a line on Facebook or Twitter.