Docklands nightclub ATET to reopen weeks after suspicious inferno
The owner of a Docklands floating nightclub has revealed a surprising development as investigations into a blaze at the venue continue.
Police & Courts
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The owners of a popular Docklands nightclub gutted by fire little more than a week ago will swing open its doors once again this weekend.
Much of the floating ATET nightclub was reduced to char when a large blaze broke out inside the North Wharf venue about 4.30am on Tuesday January 31.
The inferno was spotted by motorists driving over the Bolte Bridge.
But founder Jake Hughes, overwhelmed with support in the days since, took to social media earlier this week to announce the venue’s surprise reopening.
“The past 6 days have been a whirlwind of surveying, cleaning, painting and planning. There have been plenty of hugs and tears, combined with comforts from friends and family,” he said.
“ATET was surveyed and approved to proceed with trade this weekend; that’s Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”
Images taken in the aftermath showed a charred on-boarding ramp, blackened floors, tables and chairs as well melted coverings surrounding the venue.
“Our beautiful barge will still have a few bumps and bruises, but we’ll be open, which is an incredible feat,” Mr Hughes said.
“When we were first exposed to the fire we had no idea what would happen, now that we are here, we are feeling humbled and proud of what we have built (and rebuilt), and totally invigorated for what lies ahead.”
The positive development comes days after Mr Hughes was overwhelmed by support from community members offering to rebuild the bar.
“To all the volunteers, tradies and friends that have given their time and resources to help with the clean-up and repair … We are forever grateful.”
Fire Rescue Victoria commander Mitch Simons told 3AW last week he deemed the blaze suspicious due to the timing of it and other factors.
It comes after the inner-city location, opened late last year, had caused controversy among surrounding residents who complained of noise pollution.
Situated beneath the Bolte Bridge pillars, the floating club sparked outrage over its opening weekends by blaring music into Sunday morning and testing state government decibel limits.
Mr Hughes previously said he spent more than $1m building the bar to rival other floating venues, such as Arbory Afloat and Yarra Botanica.
Mr Hughes opened the bar off North Wharf in Docklands just months ago following years of putting “heart and soul” into its development and says the inferno was unimaginable despite residents’ outrage over the noise.
People familiar with the venue’s planning said the bar was initially intended to be at the end of the wharf, where it would be further from apartment building residents.
However, Development Victoria — which manages the area as part of the Docklands urban renewal project — said they could not redevelop that section of the wharf in time.
It’s still hoped ATET may be moved to the end of the wharf in future, which friends and family of Mr Hughes say would also allow for a car drop-off zone, limiting unwanted foot traffic closer to apartment buildings.
With tears streaming down his face 24 hours on from the blaze, Mr Hughes conceded the bar was now in financial trouble but said he wanted to keep paying staff and declared patrons would soon be “dancing again”.
“Me and my family, it’s our whole lives,” Mr Hughes said, having to pause to hold back his tears.
“The main thing that’s picked us up is the hundreds and thousands, really, of messages of support that we’ve had from people who have enjoyed the space.
“People (are) offering to come down and help with cleaning up, tradies offering to help with the rebuild.
“It’s a project that we’ve worked on for six years, it’s been up and running for three months … So it’s pretty heartbreaking and pretty hard to take.”
Mr Hughes refrained from speculating over what caused the fire, but family members say the club copped a series of angry threats during its short-lived presence on the wharf.
They said one was from a man who called himself the “devil of Docklands”, who previously hurled dog faeces at the bar.
In a remarkable twist, that same man came aboard the boat with his dog during a media walkthrough of the ruined bar and boasted that someone must have been inspired by him to burn it down.
“I actually threatened to burn this place down and it actually burnt down coincidentally,” he said.
“I reckon they got the idea from me.”
Mr Hughes reiterated that the nightclub had been following noise guidelines, despite resident anger and that ATET had an ally in the City of Melbourne, including personal support from Lord Mayor Sally Capp, who he said sent him a text after the fire.
“Everyone’s pretty shocked that this has happened. It’s definitely reassuring to know that those authorities are behind us and offering their support,” Mr Hughes said.
In more cause for optimism, the disco ball still hangs over the dancefloor. Mr Hughes said it was being viewed as a “good omen”.
The police investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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