What Happened to Sweethearts Cabramatta at the Stardust Hotel?

#australianmusic #livemusicvenue #aussierock
Let's go down memory lane with some wonderful memories from people that used to party at Sweethearts Nightclub in Cabramatta Australia. It was located in the Stardust Hotel which is still operating. I went back there to see what happened to Sweethearts and check out the local streets and what it has now become.
I asked the the group on Facebook that has a page dedicated to Sweethearts and received some fun stories from the late 1980s and early 1990's. I go through the bands that played there and feature an MTV live event that was held at the club with Richard Wilkins.
It had local DJs and celebrity ones too like Molly Meldrum who used to DJ there a lot.
International bands played there too.
Some rare footage of people that partied there and photos. So check out my vlog in my series on long lost Australian rock music venues from the 1970s through to the 1990s... before the pokies blew it all away.
Credit to all the guys on the FB group for helping me out.
/ 47300046687
Stay tuned for more "What Happened videos" so like and subscribe so you don't miss out...
Cheers
‪@Gioia67‬
‪@robdido‬
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[@Debikitten]

I went to Sweethearts every Friday and Saturday from 85 to 91 as well as $1 drink nights and live music there was always a massive group of us and we knew many people there. The pool party’s sometimes lasted till 5.30 am. Was the greatest times of my life. Young and free with none of the political correctness we have now. Great video

[@Gioia67]

Agree. Truly a special era for so many people

[@bonurb63]

I barely remember watching Jimmy and the Boys there, a hugely underrated band at the time.

[@tonymattani6023]

Im sure they would’ve played there more than once, but recall seeing them there too. Who could forget Iggy & Joylene Hairmouth engaging in a standup 69 on stage.

[@Gioia67]

@@bonurb63 I so wish I had seen them live . Agree Very underrated RIP Ig ✌️

[@antzw]

How good is this...Music history

[@Gioia67]

@@antzw thank you 🤩🤩🤩

[@queenslander7756]

This is an overload of nostalgia for sure. Practically lived at Sweethearts, played in bands there, DJ’d a little, met my ex-wife there, got pissed with the bouncers. I knew Ross Vasalli when he owned a night club in Gosford where my band often played. Wonder sometimes how I ever lived through those times. Thanx for sharing!🍻❤️

[@Gioia67]

@queenslander7756 the unique thing about Sweethearts is that people from all over Sydney would make the trek. I had friends in Cronulla that went ...a venue like no other 👏👏👏

[@queenslander7756]

@@Gioia67 One of the co-owners Tony, was very creative and always looked to provide a variety of stimulating, exciting events to keep the public’s attention, even to the point of changing the whole carpet flooring regularly. The focus was on interactive participation. His barmaids were beautiful with great personalities, which even made buying a drink a pleasurable experience. Lucky for me, I lived in the vicinity! Can’t imagine travelling from Cronulla. Drink driving Regis weren’t what they are today!😂

[@johnyblandofoz952]

Hi just found U... well done... please keepem commin... WE ARE ALL WITH YOU... LV Da Doc Neeson portrait... never went to the pub... I'm in SA... but YES those days n bands FANTASTIC

[@Gioia67]

@johnyblandofoz952 thanks for the support. My mate drew that picture of Doc It's very cool I agree. Those days certainly were amazing 👏

[@janelle1589]

The Radiators played at Sweethearts on Christmas Eve for a few successive years.

[@aldunlop4622]

I saw them there about 5 times. My favourite band in the mid-late 80s. Drove all over Sydney to see them.

[@Gioia67]

@@janelle1589 love The Rads👌

[@lambrosm770]

I remember Tuesday 1 dollar drink nights getting shit faced then going straight to work magical years that will never be lived again.🎉

[@Gioia67]

@lambrosm770 so many friends I know did this 😆😆😆

[@UnidentifiableSpirituum]

I worked At Sweethearts for some time. I'm actually in this clip with the two girls sitting at the front door, with the brunette (gorgeous Dale), and I'm also the front girl with the White costume top and pink skirt for the Hawaiian night photo. I worked there Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.. and I was also a full-time secretary in the city. I would drag my sorry arse out of bed in the mornings to get the train to work then race home to get ready to go to work again. The best club I've ever worked at with the fondest memories Still giving me a smile. You've done a great job in putting this🎉 video together. A great flash of memories for me. Cheers, Nicole

[@Gioia67]

Aww thanks so much for comme ting. How amazing. I loved Sweethearts 😍 glad u enjoyed the vlog 👌

[@Raybond8]

I designed & help install the Sound & Lighting system at Stardust which opened as a Rock music venue in late 79. I was also the DJ there from 79 to 82. Lots of stories to be told about the Tourists, Redgum etc. Great days. I also worked at Family & Sundowner as a DJ over a similar time period.

[@Gioia67]

Oh wow! I could have e contacted you. Im doing Sundowner soon. Any stories please let me know ([e-mail])

[@anthonyhealey3351]

Raised in Cabramatta West. Never much fancied the Stardust - known as a 'bloodhouse'. Only saw Barnsy on his comeback after Cold Chisel there - with Mal Eastick and Jeff ? in the band? And then The Oils, which for me was notable for them doing 'US Forces' a capella (even Martin joined in (!)) clustered around a single mike on the stage lip. Nice.

[@Gioia67]

@anthonyhealey3351 wow The Oils there would have been AMAZING!

[@stephaniepowell2270]

I grew up in Cabramatta and we would often go to Sweethearts. I was working the night it burnt down and attended in a professional capacity. End of an era

[@Gioia67]

@@stephaniepowell2270 it certainly was ....I rate it as in the top 3 venues in Oz 🤩

[@TheSundowner50]

Jon English a local lad in the area

[@aussiejoker2031]

I think I got my first Root after being at Sweet Hearts when I was 17.......

[@khylerin70]

Awesome 👍👍. Me too 😅😅😅👍👍

[@Gioia67]

Root Beer :-)

[@aussiejoker2031]

@@Gioia67 Hahaha na from a Pro up the Cross!

[@stevewood771]

Stardust/Sweethearts + War And Peace, were the best places to go to back in the day. Molly was at Sweethearts quite often & was always very very pissed lol, but a great bloke. Most bands /artists that played at Sweethearts finished their night at the Winebar in Fairfield.... which is a story in itself!

[@Gioia67]

Subscribe to my channel. I've vlogged on Sweethearts and War & Peace ✌️

[@amsterdamoriginalsaustralia]

@@stevewood771 oh yeah always a monster of a hangover after that wine bar at the early morning hours to sunup

[@gillianlefrancois9394]

We used to drive up from Canberra, and book a room at the Jolly Knight :) Four girls all getting ready in one small room, so much fun. We danced all night, great memories!!

[@Gioia67]

Excellent ✌️ great memories for sure 👏

[@bruceellison1830]

The biggest overseas act to play at Sweethearts IMHO was Bo Diddley. Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart also played there when they were still known as The Tourists.

[@Gioia67]

Oh wow. Didn't know that. Wish I did. Cheers

[@maurienicholson9776]

Johnny winter,INXS, Doctor feelgood shit loads 🤟👍

[@lesgl]

Definately ejoying the series..keep them coming..

[@Gioia67]

Thank you ✌️✌️✌️

[@simlaz5951]

Awesome Vid I grew up in Fairfield West And I was a old school Punk Rocker and a Local Muso It Was God's gift to the western suburbs to have a venue like that

[@Gioia67]

Sure was 🍾🍾

[@stevebathophotography]

Remember seeing The Damned there many years ago which was amazing.

[@Gioia67]

Amazing. 🤘🤘

[@nonstopDJUC]

Great video, great club. I’m in the pink shirt with 2 bouncers and the other glassy. I loved working there and had some best memories. Great video. Thank you Tony and Ross.

[@Gioia67]

Thanks David ☺️

[@georgepantazis141]

What a place!bands Dollar drinks.great nights.saw it burn down sat there and watch it go like a old friend.

[@Gioia67]

@georgepantazis141 oh no How sad watching it burn ...😥😥

[@K1ngD1ce1]

I grew up in Carramar , we started seeing bands in 78 / 79 when l was slightly under 18 yrs old, usually at SEFTON ( Now there's a venue for you ) l can't remember the first time we went to the STARDUST but we went in early 1980 to see INXS and others. SWEETHEARTS was a huge success . One night I won a bottle of Champagne for best male dancer. The best female won a SPECIALS 12" . l immediately said to her ' do yo wanna swap ? ' and she said yes . l was so glad she did. l still have it too. Mad place . l went there once several years later with my younger brother Donald Bingham and everybody knew him !! ...Girls were coming up to him before we even reached the bar. l think he was a proper regular there .

[@Gioia67]

Great story! Thanks for sharing 👍 😊

[@lohnro]

Great video.....the Stardust in the 80's was just a square bar and that's it.....when Sweethearts came along it gave the young people from the west a venue to see top class bands....such a shame to see it all gone now, but the memories are ours. Thank you so much. PS What was the club called at Smithfield Tavern owned by Molly Meldrum? I can't remember the name but I saw bands like the Eurogliders there. Cheers Gary

[@gozbil]

Powerhouse

[@lohnro]

It's quite ironic that The Stardust Hotel was known as a rough pub but it wasn't always like that. It was the first major development of its kind for the area, opened in 1961 and cost 220k, it was actually a classy hotel/motel, the motel was at the back. By the mid 80's it was pretty ordinary inside but it had character and characters, still remember the day it got shot up. Cheers Gary

[@Gioia67]

Headquarters I think 🤔

[@blazenkawalmsley3518]

Thank for the awesome 😎 video about our beloved sweethearts❤ was pleasantly suprised to see my photos with RED 😊I worked there as a barmaid For so many years Best times I ever had 🎉🎉Blarsha

[@Gioia67]

You're welcome. I loved Sweethearts. 👌

[@lachlanhulley3195]

GioDee awesome videos in regards to the lost Oz Pub Rock Venues of the 70s, 80s and 90s

[@Gioia67]

Thank you 😊 I love doing them

[@lachlanhulley3195]

@@Gioia67 quick question is okay if I can contact you on your socials if that’s okay with you?

[@Gioia67]

Sure

[@lachlanhulley3195]

@@Gioia67 I’ve send you a friend request on Facebook

[@tonrusso4821]

As a roadie i worked with INXS there in 79 ish when it was Stardust. I remember it well as i fell asleep driving home on Henry Laurance Dr and hit a pole and wrote myself off. Still never got my 25 bucks for the gig, but have the scars to prove it .

[@Gioia67]

Oh no. At least it wasn't worse. Cheers 👌

[@750tripple]

Another great live music place in Sydney was ST George sailing club they hosted heaps of Aussie bands grin spoon played there plenty of times the police used to set up breath tests on taren point bridge and stop every one leaving we used to go by boat at least 15 boats they where the best times

[@norbertcristia7134]

excellent Video

[@Gioia67]

Thank you Appreciate it✌️👏

[@aussieprepper92]

Remember going there to see Jimmy Barnes, INXS were the support band no one had heard of. Fun times.

[@SteveStokesCouselling]

Still have heaps of venue posters from there. Huge Midnight Oil poster. Would go earlier the next day to hassle for them. Great memories. Gypsy Fire, Mad Gorilla. Zarsoff Brothers ,Cyril B Bunter , Richard Clapton, Screaming Tribesman, Dee Minor. To many great bands and Motörhead and Killing Joke! plus all the great Aussie pub bands. Those were the days!

[@Gioia67]

@@SteveStokesCouselling agree 👍 Those posters are a great memory for sure

[@roblutzow8812]

Great video. I lived in Villawood and went to sweethearts many times, i saw many of the bands you mentioned. the 80s was agreat period for Live music. we witnessed history actually. i saw canned Heat there

[@Gioia67]

Wow, Canned Heat would have been great...I remember seeing the lame Katrina and the Waves! Why! LOL They were crap ...but saw so many other bands there too ...great place Cheers

[@truebluehomeschool9656]

I went to Sweethearts a bunch of times around 1987/8. Undercover cops asked for my ID there one night. Lots of good memories.

[@Gioia67]

Cool!

[@The-football-gods]

What a place that was and jungle room at Fairfield 😂

[@reddanaconda]

Oh wow! The Jungle Room. Great memories at both places

[@khylerin70]

Yeah 👍. Jungle room had it's share of great nights. Parradise at Parra Station was awesome too. Sweety's was the place but. I could walk (long walk) home. Golfie and Digger's were great too. Great days, great memories.

[@stuartmullin3465]

Great memories 🎉

[@Gioia67]

Cheers. Agree 👍 😄

[@davidcarr2649]

I remember Sweethearts being our local (even though we lived in Wentworthville, near Parramatta) night club. I went almost weekly at times between '86 to '89. It definitely had a fun vibe and would often be not open, but still pumping, well past 3am. My thing was bongs in my car every hour, on the hour. Out the back to the carpark I would go. There was n9w drug testing back then, so I wouldn't drink past midnight (or 1am) and drive friends home. Great times.

[@Gioia67]

Best venue for atmosphere, friends, music, it was local to me and just generally a happy place Cheers

[@julzrulzzz69]

Giulio here that wore the pink sweethearts shirt. Thanks for adding me to your video clip. Great memories 👌 ❤

[@Gioia67]

You're welcome 😊 might do a Part 2 😀😀

[@dannyarche5947]

Hi there bro, is this the same julio known as colombiano ? Its me chico , italo...

[@ianlister245]

Lived in Fairfield West up until 88. Remember many nights at the Dust (Sweethearts) especially one in early eighties. The legendary Texas Bluesman Johnny Winter...best 12 bucks I ever spent.

[@Gioia67]

Oh wow !!

[@kevinhayes3823]

Love your series of "What happened to......" Giola, keep up the great work. If you decide to do one on the Family Inn Rydalmere where many of the top bands of the day played gigs, it would make great viewing. Kev

[@Gioia67]

Will definitely get to the Family Inn ✌️

[@TheStormfire13]

I got photos of MOTORHEAD at the family inn as well

[@Gioia67]

Hope u don't mind if I use of your photos 🙂

[@Gioia67]

Should be up within a week

[@TheStormfire13]

As long as my name stays on them as they are © copyrighted

[@razamatazbaz7021]

Sweethearts was just out of my sweet spot for "Raging" 😂, but I did get the tail end of Caringbah (Coyotes), which you did great justice. Well Done.

[@Gioia67]

Thank you...Sweethearts was one of my locals so easy for me to attend. Good to hear youre enjoying the channel. Cheers

[@simoncurtis3255]

I remember seeing the hoodoo gurus and rose tattoo there awesome times

[@davidcarr2649]

I remember a valentine's night party one year (late eighties) that had the club fully decorated with hearts 💕 💞 ♥ of all sizes plus other romantic stuff. That was the most changed (apart from the pool night) I ever saw the place. I remember a glitter night too.

[@Gioia67]

@@davidcarr2649 staff and management were amazing ✌️✌️✌️

[@gozbil]

I had a great night when Wa Wa Née played as I looked exactly like the singer 🤣🤣🤣

[@robertnash100]

Friends from school formed a band and supported Wa Wa Nee, if i remember correctly they call themselves "Just Like That.

[@XTC065]

Was there when Molly DJ'd, Saw Noiseworks there, amongst many others. 1$ drink nights .....Good times🤟. Back in the days when the gig guide in the paper was full of pub bands and pokies in pubs weren't a thing.

[@Gioia67]

Agree. A fun exciting period 👏👍👌

[@aldunlop4622]

I've still got a photo of me wearing a Sweethearts T-shirt from about 1985. I got when I was there to see The Radiators (The Rads).

[@Gioia67]

Those Sweethearts t shirts were everywhere, great to hear you still have it!

[@miss3305]

Hmmm Tony and Ross, the stories I could tell, but I like my life so will keep them to myself. I did have a great time at Sweethearts but I also knew the darker side of the place. I actually dated one of the bar usefuls as they were called way back then, he lived there and spent many nights up in the room. Not telling how old I was but suffice to say I started spending time at the Stardust when I was 14 and was NEVER asked for ID. Saw some of the best bands, strippers in the main bar, many fights and a whole lot of wasted people! Good times.

[@Gioia67]

yeah i remember you could get in so easy back then

[@TheStormfire13]

I SAW MOTORHEAD THERE WITH LIGHTNING ROCK I HAVE PHOTO'S ALSO PHOTO'S OF URIAH HEEP PLAYING THERE WITH LIGHTNING ROCK AS WELL

[@Gioia67]

Hi Robert. Old St Johns Park 👌 didn't know Motorhead played there til now. How cool

[@graememellor8319]

Lots of great times had at the Stardust, bands like Killing Joke, Chisel angels etc...

[@Gioia67]

Lucky you seeing those bands in that period, I was a bit too young unfortunately Cheers

[@carlcordova2332]

I sang the karaoke there for the last 5 months. Pokies are going away for good on 2023. The music could come back for good this time.

[@aldunlop4622]

I think the main reason the pub rock scene died off was gentrification and changing tastes. Pub Rock was a working-class man's (and girls) thing. Pubs became cleaner, the fans grew up, and the new kids liked electronic music leading to the rise of DJs and nightclubs. No new bands were coming along, and the new music was different. Pokies had some effect, also the rise of gastropubs that served food, Responsible Service of Alcohol laws, Random Breath-Testing etc There were a lot of factors.

[@Gioia67]

Absolutely - have to agree with that. Cheers

[@K1ngD1ce1]

omg !

[@annietobin191]

Saw Alan Sandow and Harvey James do a guest appearance one Sat arvo for an under age disco in 1979 there. It was a fun afternoon

[@Gioia67]

@@annietobin191 lol Good ole Sherbet

[@goldiebuckeridge7257]

I played soccer in the 80's with a guy who DJ-ed there with his brother. Late in the night they''d do this thing where they'd get the girls to kneel down on the dance floor then play the Radiators 'gimme head'. The 80's !

[@Gioia67]

how times have changed

[@maddogmorgan8737]

Last band I can recall seeing there was The Party Boys with Joe Walsh from the Eagles.

[@Ulbre]

I think you may have left out Mental As Anything, I'm sure they would have played there a heap of times....although I don't think I ever saw them there. I did see the Mentals along with two others you mentioned, The Radiators & Jimmy and The Boys, at another iconic music pub, The Local Inn @West Ryde......my first underage gig.....yep, I got drunk and threw up!!!!!!

[@Gioia67]

@Ulbre rentals def played there So many bands I prob missed bc so many played there What an era 😍✌️

[@amsterdamoriginalsaustralia]

I saw rose tattoo there & also Goanna

[@Gioia67]

Love Goanna Never saw them live unfortunately 👍💥✌️

[@amsterdamoriginalsaustralia]

@@Gioia67 they were great I also saw them in Griffith. Great content good luck with it all ✌️👍

[@grantatkinson4570]

Was there most weekends in the 80s

[@Gioia67]

I went a lot too late 80s 🎶💥👍

[@Thebibs]

Rumour has it that the fire was lit to get rid of Richard Wilkins mullet once and for all

[@Gioia67]

🤣🤣🤣

[@jamesw4895]

The venues died with us.

[@malclimpson4291]

I remember the smell and the sticky floor.

[@davechristian7543]

lol The song was about sweethearts in the cross were Smackers is now n there was f all heroin in the 80s there in cabra trust me but more so in the 90s.

[@Gioia67]

yes. in 95 it all kicked off in Cabra. Lawless town there for a while

[@westough9905]

got a great live recording (cassette) Spy v Spy 1986

[@Gioia67]

Awesome 👌

[@danielarias8291]

Spy v Spy best pub band ever. Is the recording available ?

[@jayvee2792]

CLUB MTV ❤

[@Gioia67]

haha... remember that

[@Davo-gj7gl]

Also known as the stabdust to some of us locals 😂

[@Gioia67]

@Davo-gj7gl yes in the old days 🤩

[@user-dg3fy6hy8k]

I can tell u wat happened to sweethearts in the Cross .. the pulled it down n put Maccas there the fools.. n yes thats the place J Barnes song is about.

[@Gioia67]

This isnt about the Cross . It’s about Cabramatta 🫤

[@khylerin70]

🎶🎶S-S-S-Sweethearts.... S-S-S-S-SWEETHEARTS🎶🎶 😅😅.

[@Gioia67]

LOL... singing sweethearts

[@user-cy6oo7yw1n]

Uncle doug used to Dj there . Remember cabra golfys hell yeh

[@Gioia67]

Yes I forgot to mention him, in fact I think he might have been more popular than Molly Cheers

[@Matlockization]

I'm wondering whether Sweethearts was later changed to check point charlies in the early 1990's.

[@Gioia67]

Yes i believe it was Cheers

[@Matlockization]

@@Gioia67 Ok, thank you.

[@user-cy6oo7yw1n]

What about uncle doug . Used to dj there . Remember cabra golfys hell yeh

[@Gioia67]

Doug Mulray such a legend, may he RIP

[@SteveBeves]

I was the guy in the video the DJs use to play on the big screen with the stripper, friends got me a stripper for my birthday there one night. The crowd lot it as I was told to sit on a chair in the middle of the dance floor wile this hot lady did her thing on me.😆

[@Gioia67]

Funny story! 😁😁😁

[@Hallonyancat]

I'm showing Ross that photo of him he'll laugh

[@Gioia67]

He will love it! 😃

[@Hallonyancat]

@@Gioia67 it's a shame the nightclub is gone but they could get a live rock band or something, I'm getting over reggae.

[@Hallonyancat]

😂

[@Gioia67]

:-)

[@YouCantSawSawdust]

It was burnt down in 1991 because the owners wouldn't pay protection money to 5T.

[@Gioia67]

Oh dear Really? 😳

[@khylerin70]

We heard that too. Murky stuff 😒

[@DIVLJIVUK]

Nah it was a insurance job!!!

[@user-fw5jq1pw5t]

My uncle was badly beaten the night the pool was there bye the bouncers

[@Gioia67]

That's sad

[@edwardcatton1047]

I went there ( new name! ) in the 90s?, me & a couple of mates are having a game of pool!, 2 chicks walk in, straight to the toilet!, fair enough, 10 mins later 3 paramedics?, rush into the toilet!, 10 mins later, paramedics leave?, 5 mins later BOTH CHICKS!, get yelled at!, f off ya low life junkies!, good ol cabra!, in the days.

[@Gioia67]

Oh dear, not a good look for them and how annoying for you

[@washingtonheberpintos2421]

I have story, on my out of sweet hearts a bouncer young bouncer in company called, Ilan punched me from behind,best to leave ,not long after I was at my mates when one of my mates brothers friend arrived to pick him up , and guess who it was? I went up to the car and waited till Ilan got out of the car but he had an accident with the car door the shape of his head was all over the door ,mates mun came running put and blamed me for it, I was banned not for long ,she got told the truth, the car was possessed, if someone still knows I L A N pls ask him what he do with the car?

[@Gioia67]

Great story. thanks for shareing

[@user-cy6oo7yw1n]

Uncle doug used to Dj there . Remember cabra golfys hell yeh

[@Gioia67]

yes Cheers

[@user-cy6oo7yw1n]

Uncle doug used to Dj there . Remember cabra golfys hell yeh

[@Gioia67]

He sure did 😄😄