Sooki Lounge

Live Music: Sooki lounge may be the beating heart of Belgrave’s live music scene. Hosting up-and-comers, tribute bands and even big fish like Alex Lahey and DZ Deathrays, they’re bringing in top-notch music.

Famous for: the immaculate vibes. The massive complex has both indoor and outdoor spaces to eat, drink and be merry. Tucked into the foothills of the picturesque Dandenong Ranges, it’s been called an oasis or a retreat in the hills.

Infamous for: the $6 shot deals. Wednesday is Jager, Friday is Fireball and Saturday is Sours. No big city prices here.

The game plan is as follows. You start with a few cheeky afternoon cocktails in the tree-lined beer garden. Our recommendations are the Strawberry Contessa, the Tamarind Margarita and the Bloody Flatlanders – the perfect choice for us big city folk.

Once you’ve well and truly whet your appetite, grab some Mexican-inspired munchies from their wide-ranging menu, such as the Elotes, the Texi Burger or the Mexi Parma (if you’re curious, it’s a normal parma with jalapenos and pineapple on it). Then catch some live music in the band room or, depending on the day, hang around for one of the other regular activities: a fully-equipped open mic, karaoke or comedy. Grab a few night caps from the raunchy Jungle Bar, make a bunch of new friends and call your ride home.

Sooki Lounge is not your average pub.  It’s the kind of place every town needs – somewhere central and versatile that can function just as well for a quick catch up with friends, a good feed, or a top of the line gig. Without quality music venues like Sooki Lounge, smaller towns tend to get skipped when artists tour, meaning fans outside of the city have to commit to a long commute or they miss out on the fun altogether. Places like Sooki Lounge draw in nationally-acclaimed artists with the  promise of a solid sound system, a good time and a fun and dedicated crowd. It’s a win-win!