Transformers Moorabbin, Lasers Springvale, Saints Disco: Nightclubs that rocked the southeast

Huge revolving dancefloor? $2 tequila shots? Iconic Aussie bands on stage? Tick. The nightclubs of Melbourne’s southeast had it all, and if you grew up in the ‘80s and ‘90s they were probably your second home. So what became of these party palaces?

Lasers, Darby’s, and City Limits were some of the biggest southeast clubs in the 80s and 90s.

They were the drinking and disco destinations that saw plenty of pashes, scores of under agers and left many with thumping headaches the morning after.

But southeast Melbourne’s party generation has vowed to remember the days when only a $10 note was needed to cover a night out — with some even thanking venues for hooking them up with the love of their life.

Here are some of the much-loved clubs that rocked the region.

21ST CENTURY DANCE CLUB FRANKSTON

Arguably boasting one of Melbourne’s most unique club set ups of all time, the 21st Century Dance Club would be hard for any Frankston revellers of the mid 80s and early 90s to forget.

And if $2 tequila shots weren’t enough to get your head spinning — try a 12 metre revolving dancefloor paired with a laser light show and giant electricity ball hanging from the ceiling.

If your fake ID wasn’t up to scratch at the main door, there was no worry sneaking into the main room through the neighbouring Pink “Pelli” Pelican bar and picking up a cheap shot before watching the likes of INXS, Men at Work, Cold Chisel, James Reyne, Noiseworks, the Chantoozies and Hoodoo Gurus rock the main stage.

The revamped venue is now known as the Pier Bandroom, hosting homegrown and international bands including the Amity Affliction and Holy Holy.

Frankston’s 21st Century Dance Club was renowned for its’ iconic revolving dancefloor and huge headline acts. Picture: Facebook

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

Pier Bandroom venue promoter Andrew Parisi in the old nightclub. Picture: Jason Sammon

LASERS SPRINGVALE

Now home to the Waltzing Matilda bistro, the Springvale Rd disco was a notorious spot for young party animals who’d sneakily flash their shiny fakies.

You’d be hard-pressed to score a 99c glass of champagne in the Waltzing Matilda today but that was the standard for partygoers who loaded up on booze at bar Studio 54 next door before bringing the house down to the Bus Stop and Time Warp.

And 24 years ago, Lasers played matchmaker for lovebird Warwick Patterson.

“I actually met my wife at Lasers and we have been happily married …(I have) many great memories about Lasers,” he wrote on the Lasers Nightclub Springvale Facebook forum.

“Every time I here B52’s Loveshack or Bananarama’s Venus I always remember Lasers.”

After the lights came on at Lasers, those with fuel in the tank could head over to see the sunrise at City Limits Sandown Hotel Noble Park, which saw the Chantoozies and Foster’s Dandenong, which hosted Midnight Oil.

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

The City Limits Dance Club in Noble Park was a popular kick-on spot for partygoers after the music stopped at Lasers Springvale. Picture: Facebook

DARBY’S NIGHT SPOT CAULFIELD

Darby’s was so popular that disco diehards of 2020 are still reminiscing on the good times on a dedicated Facebook appreciation page.

And the locals haven’t put away their dancing shoes just yet, with close to 300 partygoers sharing their memories and listening to regular mixes posted by DJ Steve Gunther.

A number of reunions were organised for the nostalgic Lasers and Fosters club goers, including one at the Waltzing Matilda Springvale and Zagame’s restaurant Caulfield.

“I met a stunning blonde at Darby’s in 1989 (and) guess what, we are married, have two lovely daughters and life is awesome,” Darby’s Caulfield Facebook appreciation page member Daryl Black said.

“Thanks Darby’s for being a top venue with fantastic DJ’s that attracted people from all over Melbourne, otherwise we may never have met each other.”

Darby’s Night Spot Caulfield is now home to Zagame’s Caulfield Hotel. Photo: Facebook

Darby’s DJ Steve Gunn still posts mixes for people to reminisce to on the Darby’s Caulfield Facebook page. Photo: Facebook

SAINTS DISCO MOORABBIN

Rubbing shoulders with St Kilda stars including Danny Frawley, Tony Lockett, Nicky Winmar and Trevor Barker on the dancefloor would be a dream for modern day fans — but it was reality for those who headed down to the Linton St Moorabbin disco on Saturday and Sunday nights.

And late champion Frawley told the Herald Sun in 2016 that he would “never forget” the after-match celebrations — where he insisted players “needed blond hair for entry, where the likes of Trevor Barker and Michael Roberts ruled just as much as they did on the ground, and where Mark Jackson once dropped a lit cigarette into the pocket of then president Lindsay Fox”.

Linton St is now home to the Saint’s revamped RSEA Park training ground.

St Kilda's coach Darrel Baldock with players (from left) Danny Frawley, Geoff Cunningham, Tony Lockett and Nicky Winmar in 1987.

St Kilda’s old Moorabbin stomping ground underwent a huge overhaul as it transitioned to RSEA Park. Picture: Wayne Taylor

TRANSFORMERS MOORABBIN

Now home to a gym, stair climbs have a different meaning compared to when Transformers “Trannies” Moorabbin was around, with the club’s monster staircase leading to the ash and booze covered dancefloor where Midnight Oil, Jimmy Barnes, the Hoodoo Gurus and Village People would shine.

Skyhooks played the final show of their reunion tour at Transformers, with fans sucking down $1 spirits and Sub Zeros with vodka.

Many more nightclubs make the memory book, including Images Mordialloc, Jake’s Brighton, and the C hevron St Kilda.

What clubs do you remember? Share your story in the comments or email