St Jerome's has long been a sanctuary for me and my friends. Whether it be a place to catch up with each other, maybe a farewell party or to see your favourite DJ, celebrating a birthday perhaps, a big night out, or pre-big night out bevoirs, this little gem, tucked away in Caledonia Lane, never let you down. Getting served wine in plastic cups, or vegemite jars, beers in cans, stools made from oil tins, speakers on milk crates and vintage clutter as you thread past. Drop the pretentious attitudes at the door, this place made you feel part of it even if you went alone. During the day you could stop past for a coffee and read Vice and then as the night swelled up, electronic beats or the sounds from the drums squeezed through huddled crowds and circles of motley mates and around the backyard. The building itself was hard to find if you weren't in the know and the crowd never seemed to be that young. You'd grab a dinky house wine or a longneck from the bar and tip toe out across the rickety decking and perch yourself on an old chair or up against the graffitti on the concrete. There were stairs to nowhere and the toilets were communal, filled with graffitti and sensitive scribbles, and at one point grass walls. Some of your favourite moments could be from the line to the loo, chatting with fellow crutch clutching folk which may have very well ended up your best friends for the night or so on.
Right next door under a huge silver door and on a 4 storey flight of fire escape stairs was the open for not a long time bar...Shit Town. Dirty, dingy and completely unsafe, it rocked the hip of St Jerome's until it was closed down again. We were probably very lucky to have visited on several occaisions! Was it even legal? Bah...
On March 28th 2009, the night of my birthday, Melbourne saw one of it's coolest bars in history close. St Jerome's. I for one am devistated I couldn't make it to the party, I'd had a few too many tequila shots the night prior, but still, I have so many fond memories of legness nights and smoochy surroundings as I grew old with it. As we all grew old with it. Here are some photos from within it's existence. And stay tuned for the St Jerome's book coming out when it feels like it and keep your eyes open for the famous Laneway Festival which next year will be in it's sixth exciting year!!! We love you Jerome. Lots and lots 4 evs. Defs. Probs.
Click on pictures to enlarge a little.
photos taken from their facebook page & around the net
Yes to Jeromes....
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT..