Drake in Le Club: How music’s Mr Nice Guy is making Melbourne home

Canadian rapper Drake has taken over Melbourne’s hottest new venue, Maison Batard, with an all-expenses-paid private party, including Miss Universe contestants and a 90-minute impromptu secret performance.

It was a taste of LA’s famous Viper Room in Melbourne late on Thursday night when Canadian rapper Drake took over Melbourne’s hottest new venue, Maison Batard.

The visiting megastar’s secret late-night gig in Le Club — which continued well into the early hours of Friday morning — was an impromptu gathering of about 100 VIP guests along with about 30 of his security and entourage.

After he dined on the terrace of Chris Lucas’s popular three-level French behemoth on Wednesday he decided to “get the party started” after seeing the classic supper club reimagining Lucas had created in the basement.

Drake dines at Maison Batard.

A line of black cars pulled up outside the Bourke St hotspot and it was close to midnight when Drake sat on a stool in the middle of the room. He performed some songs that have never been released, plus some hits the crowd asked for during a solid hour and a half session.

The catch was every one of Melbourne’s glitterati allowed into Lucas’s jewel in the crown had to check in their phones.

Drake’s vehicles outside Maison Batard on Bourke St.

Among them were Lucas, his wife Sarah and her two daughters, Bella and Liv, and Melbourne “it” girls Bianca Roccisano and Amanda Smorgon.

Plus 25 Miss Universe contestants who were dining on La Terrasse and invited by Drake’s team to join the gathering.

Drake and friends in Melbourne earlier in the week. Picture: Instagram

No expense was spared as Drake opened the bar and covered all costs — everything from champagne to martinis and shots.

He told the crowd in the candlelit room that he loved an intimate setting — it was how he started plying his trade.

Le Club at Maison Batard.

One guest described Drake as down-to-earth and music’s Mr Nice Guy after he cruised around the room and mingling with people.

He brought his own DJ and nothing was off limits.

When contacted, Chris Lucas said he was “sworn to secrecy”, but added: “It’s a testament to one of the coolest new clubs this country has ever seen, which was built for this purpose to attract the big names.

“While I can’t confirm or deny a private concert took place this is what Melbourne is all about — creating some of the best world class spaces that people can came to from all over the world. A lot of toil and hard work went into building Maison Batard and particularly the Le Club.”

Miss Universe contestants on La Terrasse.

Drake kicks off his Anita Max Win Tour on February 4 in Perth and will then play four shows at Rod Laver Arena on February 9, 10, 12 and 13.

Earlier this week he posted photos of disembarking his private jet and his stay at Crown Melbourne villas.

On Wednesday night he booked out the whole Bar Bambi city hotspot to enjoy a private party with his crew and friends.

Originally published as Drake in Le Club: How music’s Mr Nice Guy is making Melbourne home