Revolver nightclub: Pictures and memories of Chapel St Prahran institution

It’s the infamous Melbourne nightspot home to long nights, good times and plenty of wild stories. Take a step back inside Revolver.

Revolver has been a favourite place to play for many Melburnians.

It’s the Melbourne nightspot which closes for five hours on a weekend and has been kicking on strong for more than 20 years.

Prahran’s Revolver nightclub, often dubbed ‘Revs’, turns 24 later this month is known for its gigs, celebrity appearances, events and long club nights.

A Thai restaurant, Colonel Tans, operates downstairs, but on the weekends it's a different story when its party night kick into gear upstairs.

The Chapel St club opens late on Friday and continues until noon on Saturday, before reopening at 5pm and running through until 9am on Monday.

The big nights are on hold at the club due to Covid-19, but they’ve just launched unique takeaway cocktails and a merchandise store for devotees while the decks are switched off.

Photographer Melissa Butters, who now lives in Byron Bay, released a coffee-table book about the nightclub, In The Belly Of The Beast, in 2020.

The book sold out of its first run and Ms Butters donated proceeds to charities Firestick and Wildlife Victoria to help bushfire victims throughout the country.

“Revs was a place to call home, it introduced me to an array of artists and DJs, and connected me to a diverse hospitality family, as well as some of the best parties in the world,” she said.

“Revolver signifies a huge part of my time and life in Melbourne, it gripped its claws around my heart, as it has done with hundreds and thousands of others, all who have their own story to tell.

“My book is a snippet into the stories and the lives of some of those who have crossed paths with the institution.”

Ms Butters is now planning a second run of the book, which will include a handful of previously unseen photos she’s collected through the years.

Here’s a collection of pictures of Revolver clubbers, DJ’s, and celebrities from the past 20 years – see if you can spot yourself in there.

DJ Honeysmack behind the decks at Revolver in 1999. Picture: Supplied.

Revolver also has plenty of art displays and an outdoor beer garden. Picture: Melissa Butters..

Clubbers at Prahran's Revolver during one of many long parties in 2019. Picture: Melissa Butters.

Rapper Snoop Dogg at Revolver for the launch of Arnette sunglasses in 2008. File picture by Zoe Harrison.

Hugh Jackman and Deborra-lee Furness at Revolver for the launch of Desert Boots in 1997. File picture by Penni Answerth.

Mark Holden and Rajan Kamahl, son of singer Kamahl, at Revolver Prahran, for the launch of Desert Boots in 1997. File picture by Penni Answerth.

Tamara Tusia, Mara Maio and Cleo Coleman at the launch of Arnette sunglasses at Revolver in 2008. File picture by Zoe Harrison.

Dean Cherny, JJ Styles, Lee Lee, Matthew Charles and Pete Hypes at the launch of the Dirty Laundry album in 2008. Picture: Trezise Paul.

Kristen Wylie, Ben Phillips and Veronica Russell at the Arnette sunglasses launch at Revolver in 2008. File picture by Zoe Harrison.

A bartender dishing up a Red Bull and vodka at Revolver in August 1999. File picture by Frankie Fung.

Shaun Clohesy and Peta Farquhar at Revolver in September 1999. File picture by Manuella Cifra.

Gaelene Boyle and Corinna McLaine at Revolver in September 1999. File picture by Manuella Cifra.

Revolver keeps on kicking on weekends, even into the daylight hours. Picture: Melissa Butters.

Clubbers having fun inside Revolver in 2019. Picture: Melissa Butters.