“When I was here 30 years ago there were maybe five live music places,” says publican Chris Andrews of Dandenong’s live music scene, which once thrived with bustling clubs and venues. “Now there is nowhere, except maybe a bit of karaoke on a Friday night.”

But Mr Andrews is looking to change all of that. As he tells the Springvale Dandenong Leader, this Saturday he is going to change the face of Dandenong nightlife with the grand opening of his new venue, The Rockstar Bar, on Langhorne St.

“I’ve gone around and asked a lot of young people what Dandenong was lacking and they said ‘live entertainment,’” he tells the Leader. “We think it is time to get something exciting back into Dandenong and hopefully draw people back.”

Mr Andrews believes Dandenong not only wants and needs a space for live entertainment, but deserves one. “It’s a big, thriving city and it deserves live entertainment for musicians to play and patrons to enjoy,” he explains.

He’s gone all out, too. The bar will be easy to find, thanks to a helping hand from Greater Dandenong council. The entrance to the Rockstar Bar can be found from the recently renamed Rockstar Lane, similar to Melbourne CBD’s famous Cherry Bar on ACDC Lane.

“With a well-stocked bar, and wall-to-wall music memorabilia, this is a true feast for the music buff and rock historians out there,” the venue’s website reads, also boasting of a “visually spectacular, quality sound and state-of-the art light show”.

“Equally as important, The RockStar Bar considers the performers as well, with artist’s personal space well catered for – a green room guaranteed to rival any other, easy access, privacy and ample space. Our ethos is focused firmly on bringing the best of national and local acts to Melbourne’s often neglected South-East region.”

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“Situated in Dandenong, Melbourne’s 2nd City, The RockStar Bar has a retro feel taking you back to the classic days of The Rainbow, the Whisky Au-go-go and Studio 54 while merging with modern sound and production techniques. The ambience promises to create a space for lovers of rock music to call their own.”

In addition to hosting live music, Andrews hopes to serve the local musical community by running workshops and clinics at the bar for budding musicians and songwriters. He’s hoping to tap into some of the area’s unseen talent.

“I think the Dandenong area has a lot of hidden talent and it needs to be presented in some way,” Mr Andrews said. “Dandenong is huge and it can only get better. It needs a night entertainment spot.”

The RockStar Bar will have its grand opening this Saturday and will be open Thursdays to Sundays from 8pm-3am at 31b Langhorne St from then on. The grand opening will feature headline sets from Back to the Eighties and all-girl Williamstown band Shewolf.

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