Floating nightclub ATET back for one-off extravaganza

Tickets for a one-night revival of Docklands’ infamous floating nightclub ATET sold out within five minutes of going on sale.

The event, already being labelled “the party of the summer”, will operate like a cruise, with the barge-mounted nightclub to move out into Port Philip Bay, alleviating any concerns about noise complaints.

Organisers say they are hopeful they can host more special events at the venue as they work to solve the concerns of the City of Melbourne and in time return ATET to permanent operation.

ATET owner and co-founder Jakes Hughes said, “I think it just goes to show how many people want this venue to be here.”

We’ve been 18 months in the wilderness … and it’s a nice feeling knowing that community support for ATET is really strong.

The nightclub will host the one-off event on Saturday, December 14 with Melbourne band Not Without Friends (Jordan Brando, Luke Alessi, and William Kiss) booked to headline.

“They're all really good friends of ours, so we're really excited to get the community together and we know that it will be a very special party with them playing,” Mr Hughes said.

The 570-square-metre, European-style on-water venue had a short but storied career, opening in October 2022 to “record” noise complaints.

It was forced to close temporarily in January 2023 after a fire caused $350,000 in damages; a 32-year-old Lalor man was later charged with arson and his case remains ongoing.

The City of Melbourne later withdrew the nightclub’s licence, partially prompted by continuing local community pressure on excessive noise, leading to a $7 million lawsuit by Hughes against the council and Development Victoria.

“We have done everything the council has ever asked of us and have been repeatedly blindsided by their actions not matching their words,” Mr Hughes said at the time.

“We are shocked at how unprofessional some of their behaviour has been.”

Mr Hughes told Docklands News that ATET had a strong following within Melbourne’s music community that was eager for its return as a permanent venue.

“We're still trying to encourage City of Melbourne to come back to try and resolve [the matter] with us, because we have solutions that could resolve the noise issues and enable us to have a much-loved venue come back,” he said.

“We can make sure everyone's needs are met, make sure the residents retain their peace and quiet, so that we can have the venue operating again”.