Night Club Tour - EX Nightclub Owner EXPOSES The Hidden Depths Of The Infamous ST Kilda Night Life

Delve into the gritty nightlife of Melbourne's St Kilda as a former nightclub owner Danny Rants unveils its hidden underground scene. Discover the secrets and stories behind the iconic clubs, offering a unique glimpse into the city's after-dark culture

[@loomibiq]

As a regular of twister for 12 years the bouncers did not bash the patrons. It was well controlled by Ugly and the owners George Pascoe, Warren and Rob. Twister started as only one room then got so popular it became 5 rooms. The final night was insane. Everyone was wasted. Around 2.000-3,000 people were there. Big Al was a gentle giant on the door as head bouncer. Now he is a men’s motivational speaker. He has seen everything at Twister good and bad.

[@andyturbo]

Big Al was a great bouncer, one of my top 5's. I loved Jimmy also (resident at Bubble but often worked friday night events at Hard Kandy)

[@CarmelaMercuri]

I worked for ugly for 20 yrs I have never heard such bullshit no wonder you Danny have endless law siuts😂😂😂 what happens couldn't get in 😂has lawsuits yes at twister Danny U Zop bet you heard thatt alot at Twisters Amature hanger on

[@CarmelaMercuri]

Thank you as a staff member from twister from beginning to end l

[@CarmelaMercuri]

Danny how many definamation suits have you 😂😂😂😂 look him up everyone in the industry who is anyone is suing you fwit

[@andyturbo]

YES!! Finally, St Kilda. Just starting to watch now. I really hope you include a decent amount on Bass Station. I worked with Midro and the crew for many years and he was honestly out of anyone the one person who from the baby steps of Melbournes (world famous at the time for decades) RAVE/PLUR/NRG/HARDTRACE/ from 1997-2006 Bass Station (At the Palace St Kilda before it burnt down) traveled Melbourne's unique scene around Australian states even overseas. For any old Bass Family, keep your eyes out for some reunion events soon :) And we are all old now too haha so dont worry. Fuck Yeah BASS STATION.

[@ryaanford3642]

keep em coming Danny all your stuff has been amazing so far

[@Dannysrants]

Thanks Ryan appreciate the comment

[@LadyAlchemyy]

I'm literally really enjoying these Danny👌👌👌 I'm an old clubber from the late 80s up till around 2015. So much stories and memories in these areas! The George in the 80s, weeeew!

[@jeffreywhitehead9386]

One night in the early 90s I think it was, I was at the POW when word had got around Fitzroy Street that These Immortal Souls (Roland S Howard) was back and performing at the Crystal ballroom next to the George Hotel. Still the best concert I've ever been to and still talked about today. Great vid and thanks for telling us your first hand experience. I lived 2 streets back for 10 years and loved the craziness and entertainment that was always there. Left living there like many others when gentrification was changing the culture.

[@Simon-Simon-Simon]

MINK bar was great at one stage under PRINCE

[@andrewyoung6607]

Cigars and vodka 😊

[@leighthornton7180]

Twister was a crazy joint, one of those of the walls could talk places. I was a resident DJ there in the house room for a number of years from about 2005 onwards. Really when the Electro sound was really gaining traction in Melbourne. The back room played harder sounds, but as easily one of the best rooms in Melbourne. Awesome sound system, Phil G and Booty on the decks, Franky on the steps and old mate on the bongos. Lot of regulars in that room week in, week out. Was an awesome venue. Love these videos Danny, really takes me back to how good the Melbourne scene was and thankful to have experienced blowing the wheels off during these times. Keep it up brother 💪🏽

[@julianm9103]

George Lane bar & Mink were great St Kilda venues too back in the day

[@simonwax7575]

Yeah some good venues and memories there man. Was also another pub up the road called The Greyhound which was a bit more rock, now closed. Loved to sit outside the Prince on Fitzroy St and have a few Friday arvo and watch the passing parade. Sad to see so many closed shops and bars. 15-20 years ago you couldn’t sit at home watching KZbin, had to get out and amongst it for sure, and no Tinder either.

[@Dannysrants]

Greyhound turned in to a massive gay bar in the end

[@jenniferdawson5738]

My son and I stayed at the St Kilda Beach Hotel in mid march...An incident happened there on the 13th/14th when we were there..Police , Detectives, and an array of others including Camerman there for 2/3 days ..The floor on which the "incident " happened was closed and the occupants rehoused ... It was quite unsettling at the time and we weren't told what had happened ..Can anyone shed any light on this please...Strangely there was no media at all in attendance....😢😮

[@fisherprice8773]

There was a stabbing around the corner on the 13th, may be linked

[@anthonytaranto6172]

Loving this series of podcasts, super interesting

[@Dannysrants]

Thanks! Glad you are enjoying.

[@taraedwards8824]

DANNNNYYYY I loved this soooo much ! The nostalgia I got from this vid was absolutely awesome! What I would do for that club scene THE BEST IT EVER WILL BE thank you !!!

[@taramcgaffin]

It was Definitely Bass Station on a Friday Night and Twister on a Saturday night!!!! Someone please take me back!!! ❤️🙌🏼

[@HoppyIsaG]

you should live stream Melbourne DJ sets in the clubs, would get traction imo, in case you run out of places you talk about. could also get a mic and interview the clubbers about random shit off their heads, you'd get heavy views 🤙

[@HouseholdDog]

In the Mid Nineties the Bowls club used to run a massively popular bar. It was for funding for a fifth rate cricket club. It didn't even have a liquor licence.

[@melissacoad5111]

I loved St Kilda ❤it was the best walking around at St Kilda fest drunk and happy cursing the streets, bar hopping. We always look at that time as the good old days.

[@Dannysrants]

So fun

[@wanya1980]

OMG! TV Rock, Luke Chabel 😂 fark dude, these videos are great. Thank you

[@Dannysrants]

Thanks for watching!

[@jri752]

Would be great to hear you interview the guys from bubble, bass station, hard kandy and even PHD.

[@Dannysrants]

Im hoping to be able to

[@magicbluestar]

I can share my info on this time…. Let me know but you do sound like a muzzza I used to know …. Club scene is dead … let’s get it up again PLUR

[@MarleneCupido]

Interview Midro…… u wanna?

[@andyturbo]

@@MarleneCupido Wait a few weeks please, I am his good mate and he is going through a very rough personal time atm. I am sure he will be happy to give it a month or so please, Cheers.

[@MarleneCupido]

@@andyturbo spoke with him coupla days ago. I don’t think this platform is somewhere he’d want those details shared given that a lot of people on here r from the scene yeah?

[@cods2930]

Loving these mate I’m sure you’ve got a yarn or 2 about the Railway Hotel in Brunswick, used to love that joint back in the day

[@Dannysrants]

Just a couple 🤣

[@Wolf-SS]

Would be good to mention years you were active? My peak was 2005-07. These bring back siiiiick memories

[@PaulTavra]

He did at the start of his vlog

[@KultrunAus]

Robarta was where bunny is now, Cushion was further down the street towards Topolinos.

[@jacobshields718]

used to work at the vineyard in 2005 and a hairsalon that was across the street.. Still live in the area, sad to see how dead it is these days but thanks for the reminisce. I pretty much say the same shit when im walking around St Kilda with a friend haha. One Love was also a big club for me I even went to meet a girl at Twister once haha. Many good times Once working at the Vineyard a dude got ejected, got aa taxi to a servo and filled a jerry can of petrol, taxi back to vineyard, security caught him lighting it with the intention to throw thru the front window of the Vineyard. Man was taken home in an ambulance

[@almuun2001]

Great vids but you got Robarta Bar and Cushion mixed around , great memories down there at both

[@tomfoley1401]

I work in St Kilda there are parts of St Kilda are still rough. Just not the nightlife. There is a huge meth problem in st kilda

[@user-uh6lm5wv6n]

Yep scummy junkies everywhere

[@simonpapik6365]

Robarta was where Bunny's is at now.... Cushion was a couple doors down... Felix is now a chemist...

[@HaydenCharlesFTW]

bunny = robarta

[@peteristevski]

14:50 for me it was Stephan Bodzin at Prince back 12th October 2007. It was the first time he ever came down too. But then I got to see Booka Shade at Stereosonic 1st December 2007. The beginning of my clubbing and festival journey in my early 20’s. The best years of my life 🥲

[@TheCharcoalchicken]

Fitzroy St. used to be great back in the day, the espy too, at least that has come back but doesn't have the same feel as it used to, shame what has happened to st. kilda really Also blew my mind you never went to twister, was a great venue/night out

[@garyneal7098]

You should get Vince in for one of your interviews. I'm sure he would have some awesome stories from the time he owned the Espy...

[@Dannysrants]

Would love to, how would i get in contact with him?

[@garyneal7098]

@@Dannysrants I'll message U on Facebook

[@TimBoss2000]

He owns or owned Ichi Ni Japanese restaurant in Fitzroy

[@Itchydexx01]

Thanks for mentioning bass station 😀

[@Dannysrants]

Almost forgot it

[@magicbluestar]

wtf wot about monkey

[@matosbourne3083]

I haven't been down that way since i was 20 something cant believe its all gone now 😢

[@BigHoks007]

Shout out to Peter Raff!!! Good yarns Rant 💯🔥 keep it up

[@Dannysrants]

what a ledge

[@tarabattersby8129]

Such a good walk down memory lane St Kilda was such a vibe ❤

[@beonopetherick336]

Back of the palais on Sundays in the late 90s early 2000s was known as monkey Incredible... Used to head there after better days upstairs at the prince bandroom. Sunday nights back then in Melbourne were elite. Hospo workers and the rest of the non 9 to 5 crowd. So good

[@Dannysrants]

I remember better days! Sundays were great back in the day.

[@magicbluestar]

Monkey before we become to woke…. I still have the poster …. Back of palais theatre … worst venue to see a band … walked out when Nick Cave played .. but saw nirvana at the palace awesome…

[@ThisIsDeth]

Love this, can you do Brunswick next plz?

[@Scribble_central]

twister was wild. absolutely one of the best clubs in early 2000s

[@zoe11854]

Another awesome vid, keep them coming 🙏😄

[@Dannysrants]

Thanks Zoe!

[@serenapudda]

Big Mouth was at the end of Acland!!

[@pabloeskybruh9624]

This series is killer 🔥

[@Dannysrants]

Thanks for watching so many places in Melbourne and Australia to visit!

[@Mattdana26]

Someone needs to do this for the Adelaide night clubs……great hearing yarns about other states night life 🤙

[@wanya1980]

IN WHITE ROOMS 😂 MAD TRACK!

[@Dannysrants]

Such a tuna sandwich

[@01ryan10]

Vid from that night 10 years ago on my channel for mems

[@shapesinaframe]

That Booka Shade gig was sick 👌

[@paulywalnutz5855]

"ill lick the skin off it like a cat" thats hilarious

[@Dannysrants]

LOL

[@IvanDalmatinac]

St Kilda Festival use to be the best, real crazy but now it's more like Moomba run by nanny state types.

[@Dannysrants]

Best

[@andrewreed1329]

we need danny to buy st kilda baths and bring bojangles back!

[@Dannysrants]

🤣

[@TimBoss2000]

Was sick used to paint to gig wall at the Prince and the Espy. Great people at the Prince is an epic venue.

[@Dannysrants]

Such a sick venue

[@wanya1980]

Yo! Time for another trip down memory lane, thanks for the catalyst

[@jonr4164]

Rza from wutang played at the palace and kunts were smoking a tonne of weed, was the only time i paid big money to go there. Bass station and Twister nights were hectic, best venue anywhere outside of Hard Kandy and Kage. all 3 were big size and big scene, unrivalled by anything else in your journey. Clubs, furniture shops and tattoo shops get burnt down. Furniture for insurance and the other 2 for insurance/debts. You need to do get some Kage and Hard Kandy stories.

[@Dannysrants]

Yeah i want to, speaking to hell raiser currently

[@mattfalk8493]

Yea Dude Saint Killda Festival used to the madness.. lived in the apartment on top of La Bon cake shop on Acland St 20yr ago it's Sad how SK has died 😢

[@Dannysrants]

sick location

[@Lifeofsonny]

bro i was there that night One Love for booka shade!! the greatest memories of that place

[@andyturbo]

28:50!!! Palace FUCK YEAH BASS STATION! So many story's from there over the years as a raver, promotor and assisting Mark and Jason (Midro brothers) on many occasions organizing events. My equal second favorite venue (on par with Metro) with 3 HUGE rooms, the main with a massive second level and a carpark full each fri night with hundreds of cars and ravers dancing haha. Only behind Kryal Castle and Festival Hall. Would love to exchange some stories with you Danny if you're interested. I'm in Wheelers Hill and only help out/attend events once or so a year (Ambassador with Evolution Events but I only get involved for Subculture and it's more a fun thing, I don't care about pay or politics) If your keen to catch up for a beer mate and have time near wheelers its my shout. Love your content :)

[@Dannysrants]

Plenty of under covers to haha

[@shadowmoon5445]

parties at the docklands were also something else

[@Dannysrants]

I only ever went to one

[@shadowmoon5445]

@@Dannysrants true that, went to a couple there and a few street parties but nothing like the clubs though

[@Reviewtheworld7]

Wasnt robarta where bunny is now. Yep, unless it moved.

[@Dannysrants]

Nah was cushion

[@lukeranapia6345]

Yeah robarta was definitely where bunny is now next door to play lounge and cushion was a couple doors down you can still search it on google and have a look on maps 🤙

[@thisissolidsnake97]

Nah it was Robart. I was working at Tramp for Matt when he bought it and I’m fairly sure he said it was Robarta before it became Bunny

[@Goldendonga]

Yea Bunny is where Roberta used to be.

[@Reviewtheworld7]

@Dannysrants no, i no for a fact. Bunny venue is robarta. Cushion was turned into a coffee place room out the back. Its not even a venue anymore. The main room is still behind a false wall.

[@andrewreed1329]

i just found my twister flyer will upload, fluid thursdays at warehouse, insanity at chevron,g spot and cream at silvers

[@hanajinks1044]

We used to drink at the Espy and then go to the Lindentree to score some Quick. The Seaview Ballroom hosted fpur "last-ever" gigs in all and l was a the second of those - pretty scary as a 15 yr old with all the Punks pogo-ing around. They actually had Iggy Pop there once. The Grey was a place you could score anything, and Lindsay Fox's brother used to deal weed out of the Greyhound.

[@dazza8389]

Baaaassssssss Stayssssiiiioooonnnnnn!!!!!!

[@matosbourne3083]

Dont forget the black fellas at that park some good blokes there ay

[@First-2b-Last]

"It's weird walking through St. Kilda and not fearing for your life" 😅😂😂

[@Dannysrants]

🤣

[@sundaysunshine-nt1rw]

St. Kilda had a bad rep on the outside, in reality it was the very safe and really chill

[@steveSticksE]

late 90's to 2000 was the place to be at 7 days aweek .. Live Bands and Djs 7 days aweek from 6pm till 7am .... its such a shame that the goverment got so greedy with GST and fu*%&( Pokies .... the people i meet those days from South Yarra to St kilda venues Eg Edwards Tavern, Joeys Espy etc iv either have played or worked at 7 nights aweek ... Melbourne did have the best live band scene for many years .. WTF

[@arlohealy6150]

Sunset was the last club standing on a Saturday night when I lived there

[@lukemate2783]

Thumbnail Danny you norty devil playing the algorithm

[@IvanDalmatinac]

You didn't mention The Venue which was located where The Novatel is. I think it got knocked down around 1987. It was two floors, one floor was DJ music and the other was a live venue where you'd go to watch bands like Icehouse etc. The place was nuts where even the bouncers were smoking dope, the whole place was a drug fest, there were glasses and bottles smashed all over the floor, bikies and gangsters every where.

[@shane0traveller451]

Love your experience of St Kilda!!

[@Dannysrants]

Thanks! Glad you are enjoying.

[@akerdog21]

Ed banger party at onelove after Daft punk at the bowl was a cracking night. Can't believe it was 17 years ago.

[@Dannysrants]

I went to playskool that night

[@seraph.1]

Thanks for the video man, a few corrections 😮 Bunny = Robarta, back in the 90’s it was called Chicios Cushion = that empty lot you walked past on the way down to Topolinos, two doors down from Bunny Felix = closer to the POW, just after St Kilda Cellars St Kilda was already gentrified by the mid nineties. It’s just gotten worse. My family owned buildings and businesses from the 70’s. A lot of changes. No hate brother. Liked the video. Edit: The Gatwick was FARKED!!

[@Dannysrants]

Yeah i was sorta guessing through that part it seems haha, i do say i cant recognise it.

[@seraph.1]

@@Dannysrants you’ve got so great stories man! Keep them coming ✌🏻

[@seraph.1]

@@Dannysrants Mate I’m surprised you’ve got the brain cells left for memory function with the stories you share😂 Bloody legend. Subbed.

[@callantaylor8587]

Danny… for fucks sake… Robarta is bunny… cushion is 3 doors down in the place that’s been demolished and getting built. The story behind Robarta and Matt, are way deeper than you know.

[@Dannysrants]

Yeah ive been told a few times i fucke dup on that one!

[@matosbourne3083]

I use to live on Jackson st right behind Fitzroy st long time ago 94'

[@HaydenCharlesFTW]

and the bank vault room at the saint

[@Dannysrants]

yeah still in there i think

[@Ramjet0007]

Before twister was Pure!

[@vanessascagliarini3727]

One love - best years of our lives 🙌🏼

[@Dannysrants]

great times

[@ryaanford3642]

did you just call me a yuppy lol

[@tonybutcher4762]

The Linden Tree Fitzroy st. If you know you know.

[@tosofretton1457]

Good old munted days at Bass station

[@Dannysrants]

😝

[@tosofretton1457]

Going through St Kilda brought back memories Melbourne Club life in 90s starting at crown then 4 clubs in,By the end of night we end up at Tunnel night club🤣.Love your content Danny look forward to the next episode ✌🏿💪🏿🙌🏿👏🏿

[@Lazy_Luke201]

Fark I remember Bookashade I feel old asf now lol

[@shandigirl7256]

What about Joey’s……maybe a bit before your time Danny

[@Dannysrants]

Where was Joeys?

[@sammboJo]

Joeys was awesome Toorak rd & st kilda

[@AnkosLoveSlave]

Where Area 61 was is where Joey's was. Can't believe that you didn't mention he Ritz which was on the corner of Fitzroy and Princess streets.

[@shandigirl7256]

@@Dannysrants you may have been a little tacker back then mate. If memory serves me right I think it closed early 2000’s. Every Saturday night there was an elderly couple (70’s-80yo) who would dress up in their finest, drink bottles of champagne and dance all night no matter the style of music true legends of the time they were 💖🥂

[@FeralDropbear]

Yeah I can’t believe Joeys didn’t get a mention, it had a lot of stories to tell, one of the last of the old school clubs that all types used to attend.

[@bradwylie9732]

What was the underground bar behind Prince in the side sreet? used to rock with the house music. I believe Sunday was the day..

[@reds2312]

Mink 🤗

[@bradwylie9732]

@@reds2312 BOOM! Thats the one. Loved that place

[@reds2312]

@@bradwylie9732 same 😁 frangelico sour .. never had one the same since 🥲

[@____jaybird_____]

Mink Bar

[@Reviewtheworld7]

Lol your like the opposite of underground. King of mainstream cheese.

[@miket9549]

in your king st video you said you were from the west and now this video you say your from the south east. which area are you really from

[@Dannysrants]

I say im from the west? Def not west, i lived in north, east and sth east as a kid i moved a lot

[@ImPistolKnight]

Booka shade, fuark reckon i got a cd they mixed at home. Wasn’t vinyl sessions i think. Tv rock, holy fuck.

[@d8rh8r35]

get Nick Compound on to chat bass station.. He'd have old revolver stories too I reckon

[@Dannysrants]

How would i get in contact with him?

[@d8rh8r35]

No idea brother, I just came across some pics of his party at Revs and a hand-written letter hitting me up to collab on some parties up in QLD so he was on my mind. I'll see if I can track him down from the return address. .. never know your luck., Red hot channel by the way man @@Dannysrants

[@andrewreed1329]

awesome vid! been watching metal leo and the decay of LA and venice beach, melb lookin apocalyptic a little bit, but not like usa, but yeah nightlife looks dead!

[@Dannysrants]

Everything here just being turned in to fancy soulless apartments

[@ImPistolKnight]

Bass station, sideways many times. And gray st heckling the shims 😆

[@martyp7401]

No Joey's? I must be too old😅.

[@sgtmusic]

Joeys Underbelly! 'Toss the boss' coin toss for free beers

[@Reviewtheworld7]

Stereo sonic sold for 84 million, i dont think they even did anything with it... booka shade, that marshmallow space bass. What about midro and the station of bass.

[@theturkeybandit]

Any info on my aeon that was on Sydney rd??

[@shandigirl7256]

You also forgot about the infamous CATHOUSE now that was the place to be on a Saturday night

[@Dannysrants]

Where was that?

[@shandigirl7256]

@@Dannysrants The Palace was beside The Palais Theatre but unfortunately is now a car park, Awesome Aussie and International live gigs and hard rock metal tunes until 7am Sunday morning, each year we would leave Cathouse then go to Stkilda festival. The hot dog van out front was the bomb….best dogs in town

[@andyturbo]

@Danny Rants Was this before your time brother? If so have a quick flick threw this. This was Bass Station every friday night for years. This night was a few weeks before the undercover Herald Sun investigation made frount page on Sunday Morning about reporters filming massive drug auctions standing on cars selling 10 packs of orange dolphins, butterflys ect haha I wont comment if that was me or not at any stage of the clip :D kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKPGloOioqlleLM

[@Dannysrants]

I was sorta at the end, closed when i was 19 id say

[@zorbs4217]

Bass Station was grouse!!! 😊

[@matosbourne3083]

Wth is that monstrosity 😂 big white joint with giant circle windows 😂

[@lyndarose1705]

You forgot how you loved Mandate, don’t be shy 😂

[@frankmaselli6436]

Stevie tops at prince now your going back

[@Dannysrants]

Scratch and sniff

[@philippamylchreest1445]

Prince Bandroom is still good

[@Freedomone153]

The bouncer that hit Hooks was king hit by Hooks and got off for self defence. Hooks did the king hit

[@wowowowowowwwww]

Did somebody say mynt !

[@matosbourne3083]

Good old Acland st ay

[@riverdogsmodernlife9843]

Qbar was elite

[@matosbourne3083]

Haha i remember that at the vine yard 😅

[@martyp7401]

Oh man, in white rooms!!!❤❤❤

[@danielsmart8398]

Dirty Saint, got glassed there one night about 15 years ago!! 😂

[@Dannysrants]

Oh wow, that sucks haha

[@danielsmart8398]

Sucked for the bloke who did it. Ended up face down on Canterbury Rd. Went to Leo’s for some pasta afterward to celebrate 😂

[@kitwalker2968]

Area 51 i think that was Joey's Underbelly before that?

[@Dannysrants]

Not sure! I dont remember.