Ex Nightclub Owner Exposes The Gritty History Of Melbournes Most Famous Suburban Nightclubs

Danny Rants claws through good and bad memories in the Eastern Suburbs visiting Brass Monkey, Pool room, Irish, Lou Lous, Knox Tavern, The Manhattan, Orange Whip, Dakota, Zu bar and more

[@Dannysrants]

8 min to 9.10 min video freezes

[@andrewreed1329]

yeah was wondering what was going on! thks for letting know!

[@tex9280]

Life rolls on... Still great video

[@chrisbowden1677]

IP’s never got a mention 😂

[@stillhuman4662]

Can’t deny your passion with these vids, it’s good shit. Keep em coming 👍

[@_dyllo_6806]

Met my Wife at Dakota, still together 15 years on. Long live the pit

[@Dannysrants]

Love it!

[@thesubwayhobo6748]

Great stories mate! My first bar job was at dakota around 2009, quite an eye opener into bar work haha loved going to orange whip as well, spent many hour in that alley waiting to get in 😂 never seemed as dangerous floating around as you described, might’ve gotten lucky 😁 always a fairly friendly scene id have said 👍😁

[@LukeKennedy-j2x]

Good old Jooce Nightclub! Spent many a Saturday night there late 90’s/ early 2000’s. Protein was the underage event in the late 90’s and Jooce the regular night. East 93 was when it rebranded after 2000 I believe. Security working the doors were absolute legends. These vids are great content taking us down memory lane

[@jeffdobell4821]

This is bringing back memories I grew up in Vermont just down the road from the manhattan

[@pollock9231]

Ahh lots of memories along that strip back in the day 🥲 who else frequented around 07-2010ish..😆

[@raelshodges8949]

I'm pretty sure the Manhattan had 2 revolving dance floors? ..we used to go there late 80's. We seen Meatloaf and The Angles there too late 90 early 91. Such a long time ago now but I'm sure we went to Knox Tavern and the Burswood. also did Dandenong Drags haha. I'm originally from Brunswick so in the early 80's we frequented Lygon St. Carlton, the mole factory out in Campbellfield and Elwood.. it was the era of the muscle cars, my bf at the time had an XYGT ( the spoiler was stolen outside a thursday night nightclub called the Croc at the Croxton Park Hotel in Thornbury } and all his mates had Toranas and older holdens EH, HR with worked motors and nice paint jobs .. the nightclubs we went to then were the chevron, chasers and many more I can't remember the names of... the good old days haha

[@Hawsplay]

Awesome memories! 👍🏼 can't forget about Denim Lounge in Ringaz. And does anyone remember Growling Dog? (I think that's the name). They did comedy nights on Wednesday's. Saw Chris Franklin stand-up there. Still rocking the mullet no doubt.

[@Dannysrants]

Love it

[@tex9280]

Big G'day Danny Your killing it❗ May all your days be Harley days Safe travels 🙏♥️🐾🐾🇦🇺

[@anna31tv]

Used to frequent Whip and Dak before I discovered the city clubs! Some of my favourite memories of clubbing were here. Dak was actually my first club and we went to Muck up party at whip in our final year of high school. Also a lot of teachers would come clubbing with us at whip. Looking back on that, was super inappropriate 😅 We Preferred whip because Dak would always let EVERYONE in and if you were a girl you’d be getting your ass pinched through the crowds at Dak..Rnb room at whip was the best! Also daisy’s is no longer around. The plot is being turned into a retirement village so you’ll still be able to grab a granny there 😂

[@BatCaveOz]

"you’ll still be able to grab a granny there" 🤣🤣🤣

[@neilr4867]

You must be about 8-10 years younger than me mate. Mid 90s to early 2000s was the peak 😊 Sad to see what's happened to Melbourne's suburban clubs.

[@dazwahmogwai1772]

Whilst at ozone u probably should have mentioned Cue Sports pool hall. Was a local institution in the late 90s early 2000s. Maybe a bit before your time. I got kicked out of the Irish at knox a few times for being too pissed but would always manage to walk straight over to LouLou’s and get straight in😂

[@rik3849]

Holy shit yeah I remember that joint, Cue Sports!

[@dftpnk2011]

I lived notoriously at whip and Dakota Thursdays and Saturdays met some of my best friends there and had amazing moments and memories I will cherish forever saw so many amazing DJs there Orkestrated, Slice N Dice, Joel Fletcher, Holly J & Will Sparks and many more great times long live the side room

[@loomibiq]

Back in the mid to late 90s it was Kaytees Friday nights at Knox Tavern . I sold hotdogs there. Some bouncers used to put on brass knucke dusters when brawls or patrons got out of hand. They would also smash patrons into the door first before throwing them onto the pavement outside. The good old days.

[@mrgtsx]

Ahh good times Lou Lou’s! , I remember going brass monkeys 25 years ago

[@blairchristie910]

I started my clubbing at the original jooce nightclub when it was run by 10 investors before it changed to East 93 and used to go next door to fast break pool hall then i stumbled upon a small club that had a pool table and dance floor. i think it changed names to whip. Never went to dakota. I remember the famous bouncer everyone called him Lucky Phil he was american and a top bloke. Daisys was more like grab a sugar baby in the 90s

[@rik3849]

Full flashbacks watching your vids Danny, I reckon I'm about 10+ yrs older than you and remember some hectic nights out. Thankfully stabbings didn't seem to happen much, punch ons were guaranteed entertainment. Daiseys and Denim lounge Ringwood, Shamrock Kilsyth, Knox Tav, Hallam Pub, Saloon bar and 20worst Frankston. Ironically I lived in Broadford (bottom pub always better) before moving down to Melbourne early 90s.

[@slumone1354]

Ever thought of doing a Hawthorn one? Like Cheers and Room? There were more I went too back in the early 2000's im sure.

[@Dannysrants]

Yeah why not

[@simonpapik6365]

Sundays at Gee Bung Polo Hotel

[@dazwahmogwai1772]

Yeah cheers Tuesdays went off!

[@bennas25]

Fuck me this channel is bringing so many memories. That mountain spew incident involved a good mate of mine at the time. I was meant to be there but my pain in the ass girlfriend wanted me to stay home that night. Lucky I did as i didn't want to be a part of that

[@Roh8n]

Didn’t Vanilla Ice play at the Manhattan ? Wild.

[@Dannysrants]

Yeah hahah

[@andyturbo]

Being from Wheelers Hill too I remember those things. Although I lived in the southeast I never went clubbing there. I was a raver at hurt from day one (PLUR Raver not Muzza haha) so all my weekends were always in the CBD or events around or in there. I did have mates who weren't ravers and into the whole commercial thing that went to lots of clubs in Ringwood ect I went once for to one I forget which but it was their main go to for a mate's birthday and just wasn't my thing. Still interesting hearing about it though. Oh Vermont south my cousin lived there next to the shops, that was my second home (not litterly) Keep up the great content Danny

[@paulmiddleton6796]

Daisys used to be all ages before till it went south and turned into over 28s. Even had a night club in the restaurant under the dome. Coach and Horses was another place to visit. Remember the traffic light parties at the Poo Room. Irish ran strong for a very long time. Oh the bar always smelt like spew. Knox used to have Que sports. Remember team x at the Manhatta and Adam 21.

[@Dannysrants]

I said that in the paused part, that it always smelt like spew

[@jpgaming.7964]

Oh man, used to head here every second weekend between 2011-2013 before finding out about Wah Wah and Jungle. Got my nose broke at Whip when me and a group of 5 got jumped by 10 guys because one of the 5 who I had met that night slept with some guys girlfriend. Remember seeing probably the biggest punch on I ever saw in 2012 during a Will Sparks set at Whip, was up on the elevated bit behind the decks and remember seeing anything not bolted to the floor being thrown across the dancefloor would have been 30-40 people going at it. Really did pump back then, all 3 venues would be wall to wall packed most weekends.

[@andyturbo]

Oh thats sad to see ozone closed up. It sucked when they put the speed hump in the main bit where you would have 75m or so to do a first gear redline lol. Was good fun in the XR6T with the spool up. Good times. ✨

[@MusicTubeAU]

I met my partner at Denim Lounge/Dakota bar in early 2000's.

[@BrainztormProductions]

What about the Dorset? Thats a pretty sketchy one and has been since even the 90's

[@aussiegamesco]

If the floor was sticky you knew it was a good venue!!

[@VJLeighGilmour]

Being a teen of hills crew in gully in the nineties was full on. Rip to lost mates

[@aarontranter1036]

I was working as a guard in that alley the night of the hammer attack. It’s a wild yarn!

[@aarontranter1036]

Also dj’d the Monday industry nights which were fucking epic back in the day and Saturday nights at the Irish at Knox

[@ChristianWalker-de5pg]

Mt View! Wheelers Hill, some crappy nightclub in GW not mentioned. Good laughs

[@sezjayne471]

You didn’t mention the pool hall in Ringwood across from the coach and horses pub on Maroondah hwy. It was massive most nights, they had an underage section and overage. It was the place to be in the late 90’s. Always punch on out the front generally involving gang members from Ringwood. If i remember right the bouncers name was Jason he was a top block, always looked out for the young ones make sure they were safe. Police there regularly braking up fights. Good times.The ice skating ring was behind it also great place.

[@rolandgarros1000]

Did you go to Knox City and not mention The Irish or KBG?

[@Dannysrants]

I did but it cut out, that where the freeze was! eugh

[@peterRobinson10101]

some of the security there in Burvale and Ringwood used to work at Carlton Club and few other citt spots. So rhe movement from burbs to citt was there.

[@Dannysrants]

Thank you

[@markfranx]

What about the Wheelers, the Vill and the Stammo!!

[@ingoa6578]

Great vid. Initially it used to be Peppers in the early 90' until it got shut down it re opened later as wise guys & then was sold & re named Zu bar. Before Dakota it was denim Lounge which is now up for sale as is zubar . Over the lights towards Ringwood station. There was 1 other club called Growling Dog / Club Adreline ,which is now a Christian cafe. As for daisy that has been demolished & has made way for a retirement home.

[@cookiecrumbler79]

Also prior to Denim Lounge it was the Saloon bar, was only the left hand side venue, it doubled in size when it was Denim. I remember a place called Construction Site further up near Eastland, wasn't open long. Would love to know the numbers Jooce did, even before the front room expanded, it had to have been 4-5 times the size of all the others.

[@NickTaylorRickPowers]

This podcast has inspired me to get a RSA and CPR cert Anyone know if revs is hiring ? Haha

[@punter1]

funny worked in Ringwood street used to go to the whip then come Monday I would see all the jobseekers that I bumped into v embarrassing it was right near the Centrelink there

[@monogramadikt5971]

king of the punch ons , melbournes number one tough guy

[@andrewreed1329]

all classy joints!

[@Dannysrants]

Oh arent they

[@zacciahwilliams]

You need to do hidden forest Aramagdan ,,that was iconic

[@Dannysrants]

I will def get there!

[@garystinten9339]

Different times.. Internet has taken over a lot of social events and people would rather socialise online nowadays..

[@peterRobinson10101]

memories. a few attitude corrections on there.

[@aussiegamesco]

Wild Bills over in Southland back in the day party like it's 1999 they had beach sand at least half a metre deep through the whole joint, happy hour doing 2x every 10 min.. didn't make the count down thrown out the back alley door.. lol just went back in Bouncers like ok dude have another go let me in... nah next thing I'm up walking the metal balcony thing they had up over the top of the bar.. way way to pissed .. out I go... again lol happy 2000!!!!

[@iceyd2226]

I remember a bloke got king hit out the front of whip and was turned into a vegetable remember seeing a photo of him missing half his skull the 2 blokes that did it went to jail for a few years was pretty sad

[@georgereaperkambosos4029]

Jooce was the best….use to go off on sat night

[@neilr4867]

It did mate

[@georgereaperkambosos4029]

@@neilr4867 great times to be alive that’s for sure….theres hardly any night life left now

[@garystinten9339]

​@@georgereaperkambosos4029I noticed after covid.. night life is dead and probably was also curfews and new govt rulings regarding large groups to prevent the spread of the coof..

[@dannyamos313]

Why are so many of these joints quiet now or closed.

[@Dannysrants]

kids just dont go out anymore

[@mattkaz9604]

Interesting stuff. I lived around these areas but any time i went near these places they just seemed so much more random and dangerous than the indie clubs and raves in the city. It was a hassle getting to the city but I wouldn't have liked these places.

[@sammboJo]

Tom thumbs 15 years with Craig & Scat Awesome times 🎉

[@Dannysrants]

craig till plays there

[@sammboJo]

@@Dannysrants Tom Thumbs closed a few years ago .. Pandemic ruined a lot of Melbournes nightlife etc !!!

[@wesleybotwright9246]

Ringwood, croydon, donvale are the best places to live wouldn't wanna be anywhere else

[@Mr.Hanna-1]

Grew up across the road from the Burvale. Used to wake up to watch punch ons in the medium strip before there were trams. Those 90s eshays were known as Knox boys. Most were from criminal families who moved to wanternia n rowville in the early 90s

[@Dannysrants]

Yeah i recon most of kids i was talking about was commission kids

[@ChristianWalker-de5pg]

I drank at the Burv and/or View 1990 to early 00s. Crowd was private schools and local footy clubs

[@Mr.Hanna-1]

@@ChristianWalker-de5pg - you’re right but it got worse the further south east you travelled.

[@dazwahmogwai1772]

lol I was just talking to a friend about the Knox boys. Getting around in their Cross Colours baggy jeans and they used to wear their hats sitting way up high on top of their heads with the top dented in concave 😆

[@Bannon04]

hell yeah danny.

[@stefanrenn-jones9452]

15:40 Ballistyx board store.

[@kephrian]

I grew up in the dandy ranges and all the local clubs from lilydale to ringwood were complete ass compared to the city, i used to be a regular at 3d,dv8,phd,bubble,elevation,hard kandy sure things still happened but it was always a shit night in lilydale, ringwood or knox

[@Datsun_Discovery]

brass monkey was wild.

[@simonpapik6365]

Alot of toxic masculinity 😊

[@Dannysrants]

Dont disagree

[@aussiegamesco]

Chelsea had some wild dives back in the 90s, I remember a venue that was pretty popular in Moorabbin corner of South Rd and Nepean Hwy was ground floor 5 story building entrance was like 10m from the busy as fuck south Road end of the night I was watching just waiting for someone to be cleaned up by cars folks staggering everywhere all over the road.. had some hip name like Twister or Twigs or some shot like that..??

[@aussiegamesco]

Ahhhh fuck found it Transformers lads lol has it's own group Transformers Night Club Moorabbin Appreciation Society 216 members lol