Melbourne’s nightlife is legendary—or so we’ve been told. But when Grammy-winning sensation Chappell Roan stepped into the city’s famed scene, she found something far from the bustling paradise she’d imagined. Instead, it was a ghost town. And this is the part most people miss: even a global superstar couldn’t revive the once-thriving streets. So, what happened to Melbourne’s vaunted nightlife?
Roan, known for her electrifying performances and chart-topping hits, arrived in Melbourne ahead of headlining the Laneway Festival at Flemington Racecourse. Her first stop? The iconic Cherry Bar in the CBD, a hotspot known for its underground vibe and celebrity sightings. But here’s where it gets controversial: despite the bar’s reputation, only a handful of patrons were there to witness her visit on Wednesday evening. Was it a one-off quiet night, or a sign of a deeper issue plaguing the city’s nightlife?
Cherry Bar owner James Young, a staunch supporter of the local arts and music scene, described Roan as “very modest, polite, and lovely.” She skipped the VIP section, opting instead to mingle at the main bar downstairs—a move that didn’t go unnoticed. “She’s the biggest artist on the planet, but she’s just a normal human. Gold,” Young remarked. Her crew also showed their support for the bar, a gesture Young appreciated deeply. But the question lingers: why was such a legendary venue so empty?
Young, who was DJ’ing at the time, noted how satisfying it was to see Roan embrace the ‘local sounds’ of underground Australia. Cherry Bar, after all, has hosted legends like Lady Gaga, Noel Gallagher, Mick Jagger, and even Metallica. Yet, on this night, the bar felt more like a private hangout than a bustling hub. But here’s where it gets controversial: Could Melbourne’s struggling hospitality scene be a reflection of broader cultural shifts, or is it simply a phase? Young credited the Laneway Festival for “stimulating” the city’s nightlife, but is that enough?
As Roan prepares to take the stage at Laneway, her quiet night in Melbourne raises thought-provoking questions. Is the city’s nightlife truly as vibrant as it’s made out to be, or is it a fading echo of its former glory? And what does it take to bring people back to the streets? Here’s the bold question we’re asking: Are we witnessing the end of an era, or is there still hope for Melbourne’s nightlife? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation that’s just getting started.
