For years, a shiny red couch hung as a distinct entranceway to a staple of Shepparton’s nightlife scene.
Yahoobar was a nightclub in Shepparton that, on any given night, treated patrons to bar service, live music and collective joy.
Although Yahoobar no longer exists, founder Damian Murdoch plans to celebrate what would’ve been its 25th anniversary.
The establishment opened in 1998 as a result of a shared conversation and common vision.
“I’d been living in London, moved back, and was having a chat with mates about the nightclub scene in Shepp one night — why don’t they do this and that, and bring bands to town,” Mr Murdoch said.
“One of the boys said, why don’t we do it?
“By the end of that night, the idea grew legs and went from there.”
Between Mr Murdoch and his now business partners, there was zero hospitality or business experience.
But that didn’t matter.
They knew they had something special and could fill a gap in the local market.
“We wanted somewhere where people who dress a bit different, look a bit different, it didn’t matter, everyone was welcome,” he said.
“We wanted to give local musicians somewhere to play and bring big bands and DJs to town too.”
Australian band Killing Heidi, hailing from Violet Town, performed at Yahoobar during its opening weeks, captivating audiences beyond the region.
“By August that year, they’d been nominated for number one single and album in the country,” Mr Murdoch said.
“They put us on the map of what we were trying to do.
“Everyone, including band bookers, talked about us, and they started ringing up to get bands to play in Shepp.
“It was perfect because there was nowhere between Sydney and Melbourne to play.”
The bands and solo acts rolled in — Pete Murray, Evermore, Bliss n Eso, Violent Soho, Briggs, Tim Rogers, and Mr Murdoch’s favourite, Machine Gun Fellatio.
The artistic stylings of Shepparton artist Tank served as the backdrop to the performances, birthdays, nights out and everything in between.
“He did the couch out the front. It’s the best sign I’d ever seen,” Mr Murdoch said.
“Some of the work he did down there was brilliant.”
But all good things must come to an end.
Yahoobar continued under new ownership until its closure in 2018, after being sold by Mr Murdoch in 2007.
It’s impossible to turn back time, but one can relive the experience of Yahoobar once more.
Mr Murdoch has planned a reunion on December 16 and 17 to celebrate what would’ve been the bar’s quarter-century milestone.
“The 16th is a night at the old bar, now called Downtown,” he said.
“One of Australia’s best DJs, Andy Van, from well-known early 2000s band Madison Avenue, will be playing a set which takes in top tunes from that era.”
Following the night of nostalgia and celebration, a gathering to recuperate will take place at Belcibo & Co in Shepparton.
“It’s a recovery day, more casual, more like a catch-up,” he said.
The invitation to both events extends to the Greater Shepparton community.
“Basically, anyone who ever came to the bar — a lot of people have walked down those stairs — anyone who has been a part of it, really,” he said.
According to Mr Murdoch, the best thing about Yahoobar was the people it attracted.
“We met a lot of really funny people and made really good friends down there; it’s a matter of getting back and seeing everyone,” he said.
“People bring up wanting a reunion, and this felt like the right time to do it.”
Yahoobar’s 25-year reunion is on Saturday, December 16, from 7.30pm at Downtown (the old Yahoobar), 47 High St, Shepparton.
The Sunday recovery event is on Sunday, December 17, at the back of Belcibo & Co, 129 Fryers St, Shepparton, at 1pm.
Tickets can be purchased via https://www.trybooking.com/CMKJU
Tickets for Saturday night are $55, Sunday’s recovery is $35, or a weekend pass can be purchased for $85.