New Club on Chapel St Red Bennies

almax · Post by **almax** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:03 pm

New Club opening on Chapel St end of September, old Viper room, new owners.
Is being re-furnished by Kano and musical direction will be more a-kin to clubs and bars on northside (hip hop, jazz, funk etc)

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:14 pm

few new places along that end that are distancing themselves from chapel st style.

Lephrenic · Post by **Lephrenic** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:35 pm

zero tolerance drug policy imo

Blaxter · Post by **Blaxter** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:42 pm

Drug Poicy or no one left to traffik?

Hardy · Post by **Hardy** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 12:30 pm

I'm sure it will fucking suck.

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:10 pm

- concept actually sounds good from what I have heard. Tied into the fact there are so many critters crawling around south that need a little of the right attitude in a spot (besides our regular one or two).

Hardy · Post by **Hardy** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:13 pm

The problem isn't the club. The problem is chapel street. You could stick Fabric or The End there, and it would still be shit.

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:15 pm

yeah, I disagree. Just need to know where to be TBH.

Hardy · Post by **Hardy** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:16 pm

This would all be a lot easier if you'd just agree with me

menace · Post by **menace** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:19 pm

DBoy wrote:yeah, I disagree. Just need to know where to be TBH.

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:21 pm

Hardy wrote:This would all be a lot easier if you'd just agree with me

almax · Post by **almax** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 1:55 pm

Revolver seems to be doing ok 10-11 years down the track.
Saturday nights front room (breaks) has been strong for years now hasn't it?
i haven't been for awhile.
Blue bar is always packed fri sat nights, with many being turned away purely through lack of room even after the upstairs extra room has been added.
Build it and they will come.

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:06 pm

blue bar is shit on fridays/ saturdays now though, only place to chill when it is quiet.

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:34 pm

almax wrote:Revolver seems to be doing ok 10-11 years down the track.
Saturday nights front room (breaks) has been strong for years now hasn't it?

It's actually better and busier than it's ever been lately.... consistantly packed to the rafters on a saturday night.

tee193 · Post by **tee193** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 4:13 pm

more clubs next door to 24 hour kfcs thanks!

almax · Post by **almax** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 1:33 pm

Soft launch tonight, invite only, heres the website, ill take some photos tonight and post them up.

http://www.redbennies.com/

Following a small run of one off events in January, Red Bennies officially launches on the 1st of February 2010.

Red Bennies is truly unique live music and performing arts venue designed to showcase music with roots in soul, funk, disco and jazz alongside a multitude of performing arts including cabaret, circus and burlesque.

Situated on Chapel St, South Yarra, RB's is among a rare few southside venues to feature this style of entertainment.

The single room space has been constructed with multilevel platforms, raised booth seating and mezzanine, in the style of traditional jazz clubs, to allow patrons to view bands, djs and performances from any location within the venue.

Aesthetically influenced by art deco classic theatres and cocktail bars, the burnt orange and amber walls set against the sweeping curtained stage and multiple bars offer the perfect environment to take in twisted circus show, get loose to a rambunctious jazz band, try of our 100 cocktails, enjoy mouth watering tapas, or create your own brand of mayhem.... Welcome to Red Bennies!

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 1:41 pm

Wicked concept bar. Wicked people behind it with creative juices flowing.

Looking forward to tonight to get a taste.

New venue aims to bring back a touch of Bohemia - THE AGE: Saturday, January 16, 2010

By Andrew Murfett

IT'S a uniquely Melbourne debate, centred on a murky body of water that divides the city culturally and geographically.

For a long time, when it comes to arts and culture, those hailing from the inner north - think Fitzroy, Northcote, Coburg - have claimed a superiority over those based on the south side of the Yarra - Prahran, Windsor, St Kilda and Albert Park.

It has not helped that the inner south's largest strip of bars and clubs, on Chapel Street, has developed a reputation as increasingly anti-social and aggressive. Last year, an 18 per cent rise in assaults was reported in the City of Stonnington, which takes in South Yarra and Prahran.

Yet a small group of youthful Melbourne entrepreneurs from the Chapel Street precinct are eager to reverse that perception.

Next month they will open Red Bennies, a venue that aims to restore Chapel Street's long-lost reputation as an arts and Bohemian destination.

The irony in their choice of location - in South Yarra, between Commercial Road and Toorak Road, at the former site of one of the strip's most notorious clubs, The Viper Room - is unmistakable.

The idea for an arts/cultural space, a combination of the Spiegeltent and the now-defunct Continental Cafe, was hatched several years ago. It would encompass music, performance art and dance.

''We want to give people something you can't get anywhere else,'' he said. ''We want to educate the public about these arts.''

The group spoke yesterday of those who live south of the city having to frequently travel to the north side for much of their arts consumption.

''But there a lot of creative people on this side that are not being catered for,'' he said. ''They are being forced to travel. There's not really anybody doing what we'll do.''

The venue will combine burlesque, circus and live music with table service. A high-end drinks list encompasses more than 100 cocktails.

Frostbites this is not.

''What's going on here in Chapel Street now is mostly house music, electronic and pretty shallow stuff,'' he said. ''But coming here will be an old-fashioned night out.''

Feigan · Post by **Feigan** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 1:47 pm

I like.

Best of luck to RB's

Lil MiSbreaks · Post by **Lil MiSbreaks** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 1:57 pm

Wondered what all this Red Bennie stuff was. Now I dont have to wonder anymore. Hope it kicks arse

obliveus · Post by **obliveus** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 2:06 pm

Yep, this place will rip. Good peeps running it that book large American DJ's. Always a winning formula...

I reckon Al's going to take his gear off tonight.

Feigan · Post by **Feigan** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 2:09 pm

^ if you're going to post OB, post something worthwhile.

Al takes his kit of all the time - that's nothing new.

obliveus · Post by **obliveus** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 2:18 pm

Feigan wrote:^ if you're going to post OB, post something worthwhile.

Oh, pardon me. Is this better?

Amick · Post by **Amick** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 2:23 pm

almax · Post by **almax** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 2:24 pm

bwahaha, geez you look young there Scotty.

OB did you watch the lakers vs Cavs game today? Its on again at 7:30pm tonight if you missed it

obliveus · Post by **obliveus** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 2:26 pm

almax wrote:bwahaha, geez you look young there Scotty.

OB did you watch the lakers vs Cavs game today? Its on again at 7:30pm tonight if you missed it

Nah, was getting myself massaged. That sounds bad, but fer real.

Damn, playing at 7:30pm, too. Who won?

Feigan · Post by **Feigan** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 2:37 pm

almax wrote:bwahaha, geez you look young there Scotty.

OB did you watch the lakers vs Cavs game today? Its on again at 7:30pm tonight if you missed it

That's @ BW @ Laundry.

Good times.

Boozy Times

But yes, good.

I think that was the night I bought a girl along with me who I'd been seeing and introduced her to OB who went on about his Visa and being in Oz and about permanent residency and all that, then I told him that she worked for Dept of Immigration.

ha ha ha ha ha - good times.

That was also the inght someone dumper a car battery on the roof of my car and spilled acid all over the roof eating into the paintwork.

not good times.

quiet roar · Post by **quiet roar** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 3:40 pm

Hardy wrote:The problem isn't the club. The problem is chapel street. You could stick Fabric or The End there, and it would still be shit.

Spot on, Hardy.

Even if the initial concept is good, it can't stay good, if it's located there.

Post by **JAMESSSS** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 3:58 pm

Come on, it's not like it's located in the depths of hell!

Can you bump this when it opens so I can remember to come and have a look?

almax · Post by **almax** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:14 pm

quiet roar wrote:
Hardy wrote:The problem isn't the club. The problem is chapel street. You could stick Fabric or The End there, and it would still be shit.
Spot on, Hardy.

Even if the initial concept is good, it can't stay good, if it's located there.

I disagree, so long as the door staff know who to let in and who not to, there is no reason to assume that.

obliveus · Post by **obliveus** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:18 pm

JAMESSSS wrote:Come on, it's not like it's located in the depths of hell!

Can you bump this when it opens so I can remember to come and have a look?

Feigan · Post by **Feigan** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:49 pm

almax wrote:
quiet roar wrote:
Hardy wrote:The problem isn't the club. The problem is chapel street. You could stick Fabric or The End there, and it would still be shit.
Spot on, Hardy.

Even if the initial concept is good, it can't stay good, if it's located there.
I disagree, so long as the door staff know who to let in and who not to, there is no reason to assume that.

agree Al - you're both making assumptions

don't knock it before you try it.

FoundationStepper · Post by **FoundationStepper** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:56 pm

I remember loop opened (is that still there, myers place?), the owners were really supportive of experimental electronic sounds and avoiding the club music thing

it took a few months of too much coke and the commercial realities to swing it round to a bar/club like any others.

i guess im saying that often the commercial reality dictates the formula, and the location/region has a big bearing on this. i cant imagine the toff in town managing to be the same thing in such a location for example

Amick · Post by **Amick** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 4:58 pm

loop is still there. but its mostly minimal, electro & house now.

Post by **fooishbar** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 5:04 pm

JAMESSSS wrote:Come on, it's not like it's located in the depths of hell!

it isn't? :teefornot:

quiet roar · Post by **quiet roar** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 5:28 pm

JAMESSSS wrote:Come on, it's not like it's located in the depths of hell!

Prettty damn close.

I stand by my comment - no fucking way can anything good remain good in that location.

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 6:25 pm

quiet roar wrote:
JAMESSSS wrote:Come on, it's not like it's located in the depths of hell!
Prettty damn close.

I stand by my comment - no fucking way can anything good remain good in that location.

All areas go through changes -and trends just like genres. I stick by the area cause I remember it as a great artistic hub. Sure it's become different, but there are enough good people around to keep a few venues o the right edge.
Will be interesting to see what happens, but I think the kind of shows they have billed will attract a cruisey and knowledgable crowd - did anyone check the website? Not exactly meathead music - not sure they are into jazz either.

There are enough people who are to make this place financially viable though with out the owners having to become like 90% of venues on the strip.

almax · Post by **almax** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 8:15 pm

Yeah i hear your point about RE commercially viable.
I guess one way to combat that (if it occurs) would be to have one sell out/commercially viable night, for example have a gay night (they make the big bucks if done right) and use the rest of the nights for the creative direction they want to go in.

deviant · Post by **deviant** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 9:05 pm

Seriously rob, how often do you go there? never? how do you really know what it's currently like?

same o · Post by **same o** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 11:36 am

melbournebeats does not endorse this venue..

it's going to the shit.

quiet roar · Post by **quiet roar** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 4:37 pm

DBoy wrote:All areas go through changes -and trends just like genres. I stick by the area cause I remember it as a great artistic hub. Sure it's become different, but there are enough good people around to keep a few venues o the right edge.

I hear what you're saying DBoy but IMO, that area is a long way from changing enough to be any good. And even if it doesn't attract the meatheads, it will attract the posers.

Dan, you're right, I almost never go to that part of town but can you honestly tell me it has changed?

Meh, it's probably just a northside/southside perspective thing but I really can't see being attracted to any bar or club in that location. But hey, good luck to the folks involved - I hope they prove me wrong.

almax · Post by **almax** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 9:41 am

here are some pics of the venue from Friday night, cooking on 3 burners were rad. Venue still needs some final touches, was speaking to an owner and he said that there was a chandelier and some paintings to come, apart from that its looking great, though, can't see any mad raves and pingasss being had there.

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 9:58 am

Cooking on 3 burners were top notch - a pinch of horns might not have gone astray with them too.

Venue is great - great space, perfect for a drinks and a show, not like anything else south side at all, very discerning indeed. Up to them to book great talent now.

Looking forward to many a cocktail boothside.

quiet roar · Post by **quiet roar** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 2:36 pm

Does look flash. Good luck to them.

Sociopathic · Post by **Sociopathic** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:24 pm

Hmmmm... Does look very nice, although I probably won't go there, more because I live nearly in greensborough and it's just too much of a pain in the ass and I'm too lazy to go that far.

I personally think it does have the potential to actually work and stay how they want it provided it gets the support it needs (ha rich coming from me after I just said I won't go) it's all well and good to say "oh it's gonna be shit because of it's location" but if enough people actually go and support the place as it stands it probably could have a really good chance of setting a new standard down that way.

Expert Knob Twiddler · Tue Jan 26, 2010 5:35 pm

quiet roar wrote:Does look flash. Good luck to them.

yeh agree.

nic · Post by **nic** » Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:12 pm

can see a mad pinging rave there.
not many muzzas in photos

Direkt · Post by **Direkt** » Wed Jan 27, 2010 12:02 pm

Looks very nice

universal sea · Post by **universal sea** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:37 pm

kicks ass. best new club in melbourne, wherever it happens to be

DBoy · Post by **DBoy** » Fri Jan 29, 2010 1:46 pm

ohhhhh - lol Sea Captian - you are a twisted mofo.

quick · Post by **quick** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 10:30 am

i dunno about everyone else, but i get way more messages, invites, emails from these dude than anyone else by faaaarrrrrrr... if i was in melb, it would make me not want to go cos of overly hassled... just some feedback... too much!!!

ps... i didn't sign up, join any groups or anything