Is Prahran Dead? Exploring Melbourne’s Iconic Suburb

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

Thanks for watching guys

[@rsho1664]

Thanks for the video, Chapel Street has certainly changed over the years. KFC will be out of action for a while since the Nightclub got burnt down a few weeks ago. JB reopening in March if all goes to plan . Keep up the great work !!!

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

@ thanks brother ..

[@LawrenceAkers]

Great video! I moved to Prahran in the 90s and would've been walking along Chapel St while you were doing your laps. I still live in Prahran so the pros and cons; pros - still fairly central, easy to get to where you want to go, lots of shop options. cons - a lot of the shops are closing, a lot of redevelopment, a lot of homeless who are sadly either alcohol or drug affected, which probably highlights more of a need to have services to help these people than anything else. Yep, the club scene isn't what it used to be either - but that's happening globally and not just Prahran. Revs is still there; the building that Revs is in started life as a department store and it was based on Selfridges from the UK which is why it looks very similar.

[@king.R1]

As someone that grew up in Prahran since the 80s, Prahran isnt what i used to be. Covid really took the 'soul' out of Prahran/Chapel St.. There are still people that come to chapel st, but its more busy up near Windsor side. Esp on really nice days and Friday/Saturday nights. Worst thing about Prahran is the drugs. It was already bad back in early 2000s and just got worst and worst. Watching ur video made me remember the good old days. And like u said aswell, it was busy as hell on chapel st with bass coming from cars eveywhere u look. I used to avoid driving down chapel st just so i dont get stuck. Do u or anyone rememebr chapel st used to have a massive festival? Only once a year but they used shut down chapel st from High st all the way to Toorak rd. Chasers used to have a massive stage next to KFC and had the club OUTSIDE, while inside was open aswell. Man, it was so awesome back then..

[@miagirl8591]

i remember that festival, I lived in Prahran back in the 90's, early 2000's was great back then, makes me sad to see it like this now.

[@marquee_tags]

I dunno if it was covid - covid definitely accelerated a lot of change but Prahran's been like this as long as I've lived in the area, 10 years. The whole section of Chapel St through Prahran feels stuck in the early 2000s, and that's probably part of the problem, these strips full of generic megaclubs and kebab joints just aren't popular the way they used to be (in any city). Windsor is actually cool and is doing fine, it's funny how there's so much difference in just a couple of blocks.

[@uzzinho]

Lived in South Yarra & Prahran in the 90’s for over 10 years. It used to be known as an upmarket area but what a lot of people don’t know is there is a very vibrant local community as well. People were amazing in Prahran & South Yarra. Chasers, KFC and the lamb kebab shop were local favourites. Lots of great food in the area. There used to be traffic jams starting from Wed & Thursday nights. Greville Street used to have pop-up markets on weekends before it was a cool thing. Prahran market was a favourite for great food. Used to skate at that rusty ramp and play basketball too. Your video brings back fond memories. Thank you bro 🙏

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

Ahh that’s awesome man, that area was wild and alive

[@jenniekopel5175]

Thanks for the memories. Yes, it looks really different compared to how I remember it! I was one of many of the P platers doing the laps of Chapel on Friday and Saturday nights.

[@kaasirose24]

I think covid definitely had a huge impact on chapel street - many businesses closed because rent stayed too high - many just relocated to areas with more realistic rent.

[@im160bpmplus]

Hell yeah.. another sick one TJ, thanks. Think I first started going down that way around 96 and stopped hitting Revolver for afters around 04 ish.. huge part of growing up in Melbs.. Legendary memories.

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

@@im160bpmplus thanks brother

[@THEAC83]

Keep up the good work and Happy New Year!

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

Thanks man.. and you too!

[@saffi5810]

The skate rink was called Fun Factory it was on the corner of Toorak and Chapel, above where Q Bar was.

[@therealzannonymous]

Another great video dude. Loved the intro too sick editing!

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

Thanks brother, I keep pushing myself.

[@michael.gazzola]

Sony X-plode ✅ 10" Kicker ✅ You nailed it. 25 years of Chapel Street sliding backwards. In the 90's it was said that Country Road on the corner of Toorak and Chapel made a loss from that store year on year, but held onto the location purely for brand exposure. Guessing the sky high retail rent slowly killed off each store on Chapel Street until it had slid too far backwards... and is now left with scraps. Will take a another 25 years to bounce.

[@marquee_tags]

Country Road is still there, the upmarket chains are basically still there. Big box stores less and less, real boutiques less and less, but while no doubt rents are high I think these are more of a cultural shift. There's just no reason for the 'mega' high street to exist anymore. There's a lot that can be done to revive the South Yarra end, but it'll be by introducing more variety of things to do, or just accepting that high-end retail comes with it a much more sedate vibe - the window shopping stuff, that's been left in the 90s and never coming back

[@TheAxelay]

I have been going to Prahran since 1985 and I've seen the rise and the fall of this place. 80's was for me as a kid was best for Prahran Central/Jam Factory, Toyworld (Now Priceline) Coles N Fossey's (an overpriced Dan Murphys) and Rebel. 90's Prahran still with all you mentioned but World 4 Kids (yes Dan Murphys), Cash Converters (which has been around, disappeared, come back under Cash Convenience and changed it's layout again), Swinburne College (now under something else boring), the comic shops. There was also a computer shop near Windsor too. Pre 2000 to 2024, I cannot stand being here anymore. It's dangerous it's the brain dead boredom that does me in, the knowing on how it used to be and how good it once was is a curse on me now. Yet I still have to pass through it, it's like the city cdb. Can't be there for more than an hour, then I'll lash out. That's the price that's paid for being in a area for over 40 years sigh....

[@rellyperrone6593]

Thank you and I Love your videos, I'm from St Albans also and used to frequent all these places 😊 A blast from the past lol..... Wishing you and your family a very HAPPY NEW YEAR and all the best for 2025 ❤

[@deesalkelly3069]

Ken Bruces shop was on Chapel near Windsor?? station

[@brainytopics9047]

Love your channel brother ❤️

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

Thanks man

[@darkdr1fter]

I love prahran, used to work there few years back. Love the markers, if you actually went to the train station. There's this abandoned factory/building that's very spooky. But then again this was few years ago - so I don't know if it's been knocked down.

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

Ah damn, I totally forgot about the station.

[@HRHtheKing]

Brother, can you do Toorak Village next?

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

Isn’t that one of the richest areas?

[@HRHtheKing]

@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB yes, it will be an interesting contrast

[@saffi5810]

I lived in and around Prahran for many years, it's so sad to see what it's become

[@johnneill9740]

Prahran is dead, some years ago even the market began to kick out some of the small stall holders as they were not 'upmarket' enough for the new management. Since then the Market has lots a lot of its appeal, haven't been there for quite some time now, Rambles was a really nice little bakery.

[@FallenNev]

You know things are bad when the local dirty bird shuts up shop .

[@kotschkano5356]

Yo TJ thanks bro l still live here grew up here , so right 90s every suburb was good had it’s character

[@deesalkelly3069]

Edwards Tavern - Chasers - great times back then - yes it was rough but there was respect back then...Coverbands like Captain Spalding - Incredible Penguins etc etc

[@sareenac9348]

Yeah I used to go down chapel with mates in their cars, chilled out a bit in the Cole’s car park too.

[@FallenNev]

Last time i visited Prahran in 2005 i saw a guy wearing a doona with a hole cut in it for his head like a poncho, he was using a curtain sash for a belt . He was walking in front of me and just stopped and took a dump in the gutter. It was a memorable/wtf moment 😂

[@sy_ph]

you don't get out much do ya lehd

[@FallenNev]

@bossmans_offie I get out plenty thanks Rhaj . But this was the only time I have seen a man wearing a doona poncho taking a dump in an alleyway so it stands out a little .

[@FallenNev]

@bossmans_offie I get out plenty thanks Rhaj . But seeing a man wearing a doona poncho hanging a nard in the street was a memorable first .

[@sebk4582]

Great video - good old Prahran 👏👏👏

[@RamsayPlant-t2h]

What days do you shoot these videos? It seems like weekdays may be why it’s not busy sometimes so you should do Saturday arvo and stuff to get a true perspective

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

It was Saturday arvo

[@TerranceMurphy-i5n]

Haven't been there for years. I've walked some of those back. streets and some streets seem dark. I used to go Prahran market on a busy day, as well as Footscray market, and start yelling out prices like the market holders, stirring them up

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

Hahaha $2.50

[@TerranceMurphy-i5n]

@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB $2.50 a kilo avo, banana, very cheap. $1 for next 10 minutes

[@jenno0o]

Yes. About 10 years ago I did chap laps blasting 3AW talk back radio from my 90s Nissan sedan

[@isabellekyra]

lol I was just looking at wanting to move here… never mind

[@nicolestocks2853]

Same,

[@DrewKeens]

So that bird is called Pam the bird started by Subway/ graffiti writers ( not graffiti/ street artists) in protest to all the trendy "street artists" who paint pretty birds everywhere LEGALLY. That's what I've been told anyway.

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

ahhh damn! so its a movement!

[@DrewKeens]

@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB I'll say " so I've heard " incase I'm wrong.

[@tomfoley1401]

It weirds me out that the crime rate is the highest in Prahran after melbourne cbd in Melbourne.. Or if I remember in top 5.

[@morganmensa5129]

The bird is PAM the dude that went over the uncle toby's sign.

[@melbourneuberdriver46]

That part were KFC was affected by fire when the nightclub LUX got fire bombed this year around 2 months ago

[@ScottOconnell-c5n]

HI TJ HOPE U ARE WELL.BACK IN ABOUT 1985 IT USED 2 BE CALL THE FUN FACTORY HAPPY NEW YEAR

[@you_mad]

Wrx looking hektic bruh 👍👍

[@alexlanning712]

Hi Buddy saw you in Anchor Lane--didnt realise who you were

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

@@alexlanning712 what’s that you that taught me about “burners”?

[@alexlanning712]

@@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB Haha,you're on the ball!🌟

[@alexlanning712]

Prahran cant die,because everyone is on one level

[@user-xnxtz]

you went during holidays, when everyone is overseas or away on holidays.. not good time to visit if wanted to see crowds. it’s most certainly not dead.. it’s very vibrant nighttime still on the weekends there. much more busier in the night of hours…

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

I’ll be back!

[@mikeadz1]

I’ve never been in a suburb that dies a noticable amount during the holidays bro, if anything it brings people out and about 🤷‍♂️

[@alexlanning712]

@@mikeadz1 no Prahran is full of working apartment dwellers,and they're all away,at the moment

[@austrALIEN_666]

Every Saturday night in my vl turbo pumping my music doing chap laps

[@ngochoang7829]

Not what it used to be, vibrant and was the place to be seen. I was one of the heroes doing chap laps in my beaten up Nissan 300ZX...😂

[@roxysdadstacking9968]

Do you remember the train out the front on a pub near the station

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

I kinda...

[@roxysdadstacking9968]

@ I think it was greville st it was painted blue

[@alexlanning712]

you get a good counter meal,there

[@user-rf2wt9rj7w]

Lol good ol chap laps with the homemade woofer box that would take up the whole boot, the bass would crank so hard your headlights would dim 😂 #90$

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

Lmao good old days

[@stuffthefame]

skatepark looks too wet that's why no one was there

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

True that

[@Exifar1337]

Viper Room next to KFC you miss out on :)

[@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB]

Oh man.. so many clubs I missed

[@Exifar1337]

​@@TJ_OFFICIAL_MELB in the late 90s to early 2000s this was the place Prior to that, Lygon Street in Carlton

[@sebk4582]

Chap lap 👏👏👏

[@rotormotor13b]

The old safeway carpark😂

[@hughmiller925]

Pam the bird.

[@johnm84]

Melbourne is a dump.

[@danayoung4941]

How very sad. It’s become graffiti ghetto.

[@dogvip7688]

😴

[@uamiable]

Ghetto

[@johnvasilopoulos1503]

Iconic bullshit

[@СлаваССС-м4с]

You said it. Never was.