Ringwood nightclubs: Pictures of clubbers during venues’ glory days
If you’ve partied at Jooce, Growling Dog, Orange Whip or historic Daiseys Hotel, you could see yourself in this picture gallery of nightclubbers in action.
Outer East
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As Melburnians await the easing of lockdown restrictions, party goers in the outer east are looking forward to their favourite nightclubs opening up to dance away their cabin fever.
The Ringwood clubbing scene has had a breath of fresh air with Baby nightclub opening its doors in May beside the ever-popular Orange Whip.
The club has The Bungalow beer garden on top of it, which opened in February.
Both venues are at the site of the former Club Dakota, which was destroyed by fire in 2016.
Joe Cossari, owner of Baby, The Bungalow and the former Dakota nightclub, said the culture of Ringwood and Melbourne’s clubbing scene and its offerings had evolved over the past few decades.
“Back then (in the 90s), the only way to go out was to go to a nightclub,” he said.
“You got home, got changed, went out about 10pm, had your shoes and slacks and a shirt on and you’d party till the early hours of the morning, and that’d be it.
“Now the shift has changed dramatically, you’ve got bars, clubs, restaurants, its certainly spread across all areas in hospitality.”
Club Dakota, once known as Denim Lounge, is one of several venues which have come and gone in the area in the past few decades.
Others include Jooce, Growling Dog and the historic Daiseys Hotel, which was recently bulldozed to make way for a $150m retirement village.
The Manhattan Hotel, commonly known as ‘The Hat’, became popular for its ‘Stages’ nightclub night, which also featured well-known live bands.
The venue is still standing but no longer boasts its revolving dancefloor or hosts many club nights, apart from the occasional public holiday eve or over 28s party.
For the clubbers of the bygone days, there may be a familiar face or memorable dancefloor in our gallery of Ringwood’s nightclubs of the 90s and 2000s.
Members of the Ringwood and District Historical Society Facebook page shared some of their fondest memories of the nightclubs of yesteryear.
At The Manhattan, Alexandra Nichol remembered guest appearances from soap stars.
“They would have special guest appearances with stars from Neighbours or Home And Away, you could get a Polaroid photo with them,” she wrote.
Mandy Barro reflected on her fun times at the venue in the 80s: “We did have fun us girls dancing in a circle around our handbags as the floor revolved. oh the memories!”
And Kate Walshe had great memories of some the bands she saw at the venue.
“Can’t beat the Hat “Stages” and the revolving double dance floors … saw some good bands there too. Suzie Quattro, Dragon, Chocolate Starfish to name a few,” she wrote.
Mandy Lee Maggs said: “Jooce Was Life”, and Paula Bryce also loved the club and had “many fun times there”.
Blair Christie had his first big night out after he turned 18 at Jooce “when it had [styrofoam] displays and strict entry.
“I remember Phil the bouncer and the old circular DJ booth before the big upgrade when they opened up the club to become East93.
“I also remember the $2 nightrider bus fare to Croydon.”
Here’s some vintage pictures taken at Ringwood clubs including Orange Whip, Club Dakota and Daiseys over the years, which we’ve obtained with permission from the venue owners.
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