VORD.oNIA 005
A legacy of neon and nightlife
Ask your parents about it; The Chevron Hotel was the cornerstone of Melbourne’s social scene. A place where the city’s glitz and glamour mingled with the grit and nightlife Melbourne has been known for.
From former Prime Ministers, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, to everyday Melburnians looking for a good time, this venue really had seen it all. Many know of its Disco-heavy prime of the 1970s - But how much do you really know about its years beforehand?
The Prime of the Chevron
Hot off the buzz of the 1956 Olympics, the Chevron rapidly became the heart of Melbourne’s golden era. As the city embraced new cultural influences, the hotel became a hub for entertainment, luxury, and nightlife.
By the 60s and 70s, the Chevron was the place to be - hosting glamorous cocktail bars, live performances, and gatherings for the world’s elite.
It wasn’t just a hotel; It was an institution. It was a symbol of Melbourne’s transformation into a Cosmopolitan powerhouse. And yet, despite all its fame, the stories from this era are fading.
This project uncovers the history you’ve only heard your grandparents whisper about.
The man with the guts to survive
At the heart of its story is a man by the name of Yianni; An unlikely young migrant from Sparta who arrived in Melbourne with nothing but one of the two slippers he left with, and an unshakable drive.
By starting at the drive-in bottle shop, learning the language one brand at a time, through to managing every bar at the peak of the Chevron; Pappou Yianni has developed a unique perspective of this era of Melbourne, of which anyone with a slight interest in the history of such a unique country will be intrigued by.
Come have a seat at our table
There’s plenty of exciting things on the way, and you should be the first to know about them.