Wheelers Hill Hotel: Pictures from Ferntree Gully Rd and Jells Rd pub’s glory days

Whether it was the cheap drinks, catch-ups with mates or cool cover bands, this old outer east nightspot holds a special place in many partygoers’ hearts.

Good times were always guaranteed on Thursday nights at the Wheelers Hill Hotel’s old nightclub.

It was the self-described “pumping uni night out in the burbs” for a generation of party animals in the outer east.

The Wheelers Hill Hotel’s old nightclub, at the top of Jells Rd, was the place to be on Thursday nights in the early 2000s, alongside the Notting Hill Hotel a bit further down Ferntree Gully Rd.

Drink specials, DJs and cover bands including 23 Past, Metrik and Passionfruit Pulp kept the crowd, mainly 18-23 year olds, buzzing into the wee hours of Friday morning.

The party nights stopped in 2007 but returned after a year’s absence, and the club closed for good in 2017 when pub owners ALH group decided to do some renovations.

The venue was reborn as The Rogue Squire in a partnership with Malt Shovel Brewery’s James Squire brand, owned by drink manufacturers Lion.

At the time, manager Emma Pilkington said the area “was screaming out for a nice venue to come to, and it was definitely time for an upgrade with this hotel”.

It has more of a dining focus and offers beers across James Squire’s range on tap, along with occasional live music and sports shown on big screens.

Take a step back in time to the pub’s vintage days and see if you can spot yourself in this gallery of pictures we’ve sourced from nightclub website Max Moose.

The Wheelers Hill Hotel always drew a crowd for its party nights on Thursdays. Picture: MaxMoose.com.au

These friends had a few cheeky drinks at the Wheelers Hill Hotel nightclub. Picture: MaxMoose.com.au

This group of lads and the ladies got on the beers and cruisers at the Wheelers Hill Hotel in the early 2000s. Picture: MaxMoose.com.au

These two friends were snapped at The Wheelers Hill Hotel's nightclub in the early 2000s. Picture: MaxMoose.com.au

Three of the bar staff members who used to work at the Wheelers Hill Hotel's nightclub. Picture: MaxMoose.com.au

The Machine were one of the many cover bands who rocked out at The Wheelers Hill Hotel on Thursday nights. Picture: MaxMoose.com.au

A group of mates gather near the bar in a vintage pic at the Wheelers Hill Hotel's nightclub. Picture: MaxMoose.com.au

Two ladies living it up at the old Wheelers Hill Hotel nightclub in the early 2000s. Picture: MaxMoose.com.au

These two friends had a great time at the Wheelers Hill Hotel's nightclub back in the day. Picture: MaxMoose.com.au

The Wheelers Hill Hotel's old nightclub often had cover bands playing as part of its Thursday night parties. Picture: MaxMoose.com.au

The Wheelers Hill Hotel was often heaving with big crowds at its nightclub on Thursday nights. Picture: MaxMoose.com.au

A few spiky-haired friends catch up at the Wheelers Hill Hotel. Picture: MaxMoose.com.au

The Wheelers Hill Hotel's Thursday nights were a great opportunity to catch up with mates and meet new friends. Picture: MaxMoose.com.au

These three ladies rocked out, some in their braids, at the Wheelers Hill Hotel nightclub. Picture: MaxMoose.com.au