The Northcote Social Club (NSC) is a bit of an institution in Melbourne.
Originally an ‘old man’s local’, NSC has gone through some grand changes in the last ten years with sparkling new renovations and a steady stream of solid local live music. With some surprise guests along the way.
A hipster-skip from the land of bars – Fitzroy – the NSC is located in on High Street, a creative hub in Melbourne with electitic retailers, bars, pubs, cafés and restaurants. With plenty of bar options, NSC is in good company – up the road you have Joes Shoe Store with a gorgeous American style wooden bar, and the ‘hole in the wall’ bohemian music venue ‘Open Studio’ which offers eclectic live music jams, gypsy music and an annual ukulele festival.
But NSC remains the local live music hero with over 5,000 bands having played the venue in the last ten years. Its stage welcomes local bands like The Preatures, The Ruebens, Jebediah and Regurgitator. Staging international acts including Jose Gonzalez and Martha Wainwright, the venue got the shock of a lifetime when The Pixies rang up and requested to play a casual sideshow. Some shows you buy tickets, others you can rock up on a Monday night and see local live music for free.
Hearing NSC recently had a facelift initially filled me with dread. Old-style pubs are often at risk of taking new looks too far – where the warmth of a much loved simple standing room only bar or music venue is replaced with ‘gastro pubs’ with chill music cover bands. But I needn’t have worried really, considering it’s owned and run by the same powerhouse team behind another great Melbourne live music venue – The Corner, Richmond; and the newly opened Newtown Social Club in Sydney.The NSC’s renovations have made it a jewel on High Street, with bars leading out to a gorgeous deck dining area which, (ooh la la) is fully waited. With little touches of greenery, high ceilings, some new furniture, a splash of paint, decking and exposed brick – NSC has a new lease on life, but still has retained its old charm- midnight specials, free pool on Mondays and Thursdays, yes – a classic parma.
To celebrate 10 years – the Northcote Social Club is running an Anniversary Series of gigs featuring some exciting guests including The Bamboos (Friday 18 September), Clare Bowditch (Sunday 27 September), Andy Bill (Wednesday 30 September) and more.
