Over the past few years Geelong’s city nightlife has had an upheaval with many new bars, clubs, pubs and other venues rejuvenating or opening up around the city centre making for a great night out. Now there are a wide range of choices and it’s not difficult to find something that meets the moods and style you are looking for, from the latest pumping dance beats to the relaxing and laid back comfortable couch and acoustic set.
Gone are the days of the iconic indi band venue the Nash, the huge barn of the Eureka and the big and cheesy Lyric and Wild West. Geelong’s nightlife is more diverse and the venues are much smaller and make for a better environment. For live music, the big national bands have moved to the festival circuit, so the pubs and clubs have become a breeding ground for the next wave of names with plenty of new talent trying their hand to be the next indi success. Cover bands as always are still popular, yes the old classics like Mustang Sally, The Summer of 69 and Jessie’s Girl are still getting belted out but there are fresh new names out there with with new playlists.
Like back in the days of the Eureka, Cats and Escalation, the Little Malop Street precinct is the centre of after dark in Geelong. This renewed precinct is now home to a diverse range of music, food and drinks all with their unique atmosphere. Many venues are a hybrid bar and restaurant with interesting foods, great beats and a good bar. Pistol Petes was one of the first of the new breed, Step in side and you could be in Bourbon Street, New Orleans or Beal Street, Memphis with its live blues, Southern menu and Louisiana beers. The Southern flavours continue over the road in one of Geelong’s new pubs, The Worker’s Club, here their pit master cooks up the most beautiful slow cooked meats, there’s a great range of beer and one of the city’s best band venues.
The Mad Kitchen, the Cabinet Bar, Big Ears with their tasty meatballs and the Hot Chicken Project are also popular new venues where you can enjoy fantastic food, enjoy a drink and some great beats.
For a more sophisticated experience The Geelong Cellar Door offers an incredible selection of local wines and the 12th Amendment Bar is like a step back in time to Chicago in the 1930’s with its stylish speak easy cocktail bar.
One of Geelong’s favorite bars Beav’s sitting proudly on the Little Malop Street and James Street corner is one of the bigger venues in the city. Its quirky decor, old couches and friendly service attracts a big crowd on on the weekends. The bar has live music and a whole calendar of special events and attracts some big acts during the year. Behind Beav’s there is a bit of activity starting to take place with the Blackman’s Brewery Bar, and Macs Greek Restaurant of the fist tenants in a rejuvenated laneway area.
Behind the huge civic car park The Captain is another of the hidden gem, this funky outdoor bar made of shipping pallets and an old caravan for a bar is very popular on a weekend, while the There There bar that it is connected to offers a relaxed and sophisticated feel, as does Frankie across the road and for a bit of German fun there is always the Rheingold Cellar Bar underground.
Heading down towards the waterfront the Deck in Gheringhap Street has a good vibe as and the younger crowed enjoy the Inn in Corio Street and of course Home House, Geelong’s biggest night club venue. Lamby’s under the National Wool Museum has been another popular spot for over 30 years and there are a few new players down on our waterfront including The Edge.
For something a bit different there are a few interesting bars starting to pop up around the city centre like Ms Bartronica a mix between a vintage electronic gaming palor and bar. The Union Street wine bar is a funky little bar in Union Street featuring a huge selection of wines and a doors down a bar featuring beers and jaffles is about to open.
The major big city pubs, The (new) Geelong Hotel, Sporting Globe, The Lord Nelson and National Hotel all offer great dining, fresh styling and a enjoyable atmosphere. There all have outdoor areas and plenty of space. On the CBD’s outer fringe there are still a few of the traditional pubs left, the Sir Charles Hotham hotel in Brougham Street, The Sir Charles Darling in Bellarine Street and the Black Hat tucked away at the top of the town in Little Myers Street.