Chasers nightclub: A flashback to Chapel St South Yarra club’s massive parties

It’s one of Melbourne’s oldest clubs and has held countless parties and big nights. See if you can spot yourself having fun at Chasers.

Chasers Nightclub on Chapel St in South Yarra has been operating since 1976.

Nightclubs come and go, but one has stood strong as a pillar on Melbourne’s most famous clubbing strip for more than four decades.

Chasers Nightclub was founded by Gary Spry on Chapel St in South Yarra in 1976, and its opening night featured a guest appearance by Olivia Newton-John

Current owner Martha Tsamis has been in charge for more than 20 years, and more than 10 million people have visited the club throughout its history.

In the past 10 years the club has become a popular haunt for the LGBTIQ+ community, with Ru Paul Drag Race events on Friday nights and Poof Doof on Saturdays.

The venue also hosts bands, 80s themed nights, comedy and other entertainment on Sundays, and has three rooms for private functions.

Covid-19 has switched off the speakers and put a pause on the club’s events, including its annual birthday party which always draws a packed house.

Chasers is hoping to host its belated 43rd birthday party on November 19, which it is also billing as a ‘freedom day’ party for the community with the predicted easing of lockdown restrictions.

Until then, see if you can sport yourself in this gallery of pictures we’ve compiled of past birthday parties and fun nights at Chasers, which we’ve obtained with permission from the nightclub’s owners.

Two friends mess around at Chasers as part of its 38th birthday celebrations. Picture: Mag Pierre/Chasers Nightclub Facebook page.

A Chasers DJ with a clubber during a fun night in 2019. Picture: JCL Images/Chasers Nightclub Facebook page.

Three ladies at the bar on Chasers' 38th birthday party in 2016. Picture: Mag Pierre/Chasers Nightclub Facebook page.