Frankston, St Kilda nightclubs: Pictures of clubbers during venues’ heyday

Back when Midori Illusions and blue eye shadow ruled the night Frankston was the place to party. And our snappers were there to capture the action at 21st Century’s revolving dance floor.

Partygoers at Pelly Bar in Frankston.

For a generation of Frankston clubbers, night-life meant only one thing – the revolving dance floor at the Pier Hotel’s 21st Century Nightclub.

Despite the untold amount of Fluffy Ducks and beer served in plastic pots being spilt on the mechanism, the so-called “Chick Kebab” kept spinning from its opening in the late 1980s until the turn of the century.

With its three pubs (Pier, Grand and Vines), the corner of Davey Street and the Nepean Highway has been a beacon for Peninsula youth since the late 1800s.

It was initially known as the Frankston Hotel but was renamed the Pier Hotel in 1875 when it was bought by Mark Young for £380. Mr Young spent £3700 on improvements to the hotel, making it one of the finest in the colony of Victoria at the time.

It also became a regular on the suburban circuit for touring bands, hosting the likes of INXS, Hunters and Collectors, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Divinyls and was also the venue for the infamous Bettie Boo lip-synching incident.

The nightclub space has been rebranded as Pier Live, then as the Pier Bandroom in 2017.

The rebirth was celebrated with a massive party and performances from the Birds of Tokyo and Pierce Brothers.

The complex still includes the Pelly (formerly Pelican) Bar and Flanagan’s Pub, but few know that it was also once the home of Frankston’s original tenpin bowling centre.

Other nightspots that glittered on the Frankston club strip included Leggies at the Grand, Stone’s Wine Bar, the Charthouse, the Switchboard (a favourite haunt of Hervé Villechaize aka Tattoo from Fantasy Island while living in the area), The Deck, the Pint and Pickle and who could forget the Blue Light discos at the P & C Hall!

Melbourne’s high flyers also like to party by the bay but their favourite watering holes were a little closer to the bright lights of the CBD.

St Kilda had a number of haunts that our snappers spotted celebrities at including Twister and The Duke.

Here’s some vintage pictures taken at Frankston and St Kilda clubs including a classic shot of Melbourne royalty Bert and Patti Newcomb.

GLOW BAR, ST KILDA

Matthew George, John Grace and Andrew Graham.

Customers wait to be served at the bar.

NIX NIGHTCLUB, FRANKSTON

Punters enjoy a night out.

Good times at Nix.

Partygoers at Nix nightclub.

TWISTER ST KILDA

Bert Newton and wife Patti at Twister nightclub in St Kilda.

THE DUKE ST KILDA

Fiona Darmody and Julie Quartermain at the opening of new nightclub The Duke in St Kilda

21ST CENTURY FRANKSTON

Partygoers at 21st Century, known for its revolving dancefloor.

The venue was later known as Pier Live, and was relaunched as the Pier Bandroom in 2017.

The venue was a hit in the 90s and 2000s.

It boasted one of Melbourne’s most unique club set ups of all time.

Spirits were as cheap as $1 at the hugely popular venue.

The outside of the club.

LASERS SPRINGVALE

Killester College Springvale students dress up for a night out at Lasers. Photo: Loretta Lloyd/Lasers Nightclub Springvale Facebook page

PELLY BAR FRANKSTON

Good times at Pelly bar.

The bar is a popular live music venue.

Steph Dawes, Warwick Cahir, Shay Darts and Mal Pels.

Partygoers at Pelly bar.

Friends at the Frankston venue.

Pelly Bar is described as “the heart of entertainment in the south east”.

Enjoying a night out in 2011.

Friends at the Frankston venue.

Friends at Pelly Bar.

A night out at Pelly bar.

The venue still hosts live music acts.

Many have enjoyed a night out at the bar.

Kelly and Daniel.

Nathan Seal and Alexis Miall.

Enjoying a night out.