Forgotten nightclubs of the east: All the wildest memories from Jooce

For club rats in Melbourne’s east, it was the mecca of nightclubs — where the dancefloors were packed and the line for the hotdog van were never ending.

Party-goers flocked to Jooce every weekend. Picture: Facebook

For most of the 1990s, Jooce in Ringwood was one of the premier nightclubs of Melbourne’s eastern suburbs with its packed dancefloors heaving to DJs and bands.

The venue was advertised at the biggest single-level club in the southern hemisphere at the time.

Revellers wanting to boogie had two massive dancefloors to choose from, a pool room and a pinball room.

Party goers were at one stage barred entry on weekends if they wore a T-shirt, denim or sneakers.

DJ’s Brett Hall, Jeremy K, Ivan Gough, Evo, Ian Sugarman and John Course were often behind the decks on Saturday nights in the Buzz Bar.

Local bands and tribute acts were often playing the other dancefloor.

Entry was only $8.

The 93 Maroondah Hwy venue was converted into a Rivers store after it closed but a 12-storey tower with more than 300 apartments has been planned for the site.

It is one of many lost nightclubs in the eastern suburbs including Dakota, Stylus, The Pool Room and more.