Atet, a floating open-air nightclub inspired by the beach clubs of Mykonos and Ibiza, is set to open in Melbourne, fashioned as the city’s ever dancefloor of its kind. Considering Sydney has popular seasonal floating clubs like The Island and Glass Island, this should be a major win for Melbourne’s party scene during the coming holidays.
The result of a five-year development and planning period, green-lighted by the City of Melbourne earlier this year, Atet will be moored in the developing Docklands precinct with a two-storey twin deck design with enough capacity for 550 clubbers.
Reportedly, the project was inspired by a patchwork of Europe’s most noted party hotspots like Mykonos, Ibiza, Amsterdam, and Berlin as well as the open-air dancefloors that regularly pepper the continent’s biggest music festivals.
DJ and architect Jake Hughes, the man behind Atet, was quoted in Time Out referring to the solar barge of the sun god Ra when asked about the nightclub’s peculiar name. And while from photos it doesn’t look like ancient Egypt is much of a theme to Atet, Hughes has stated that the name mirrors the sense of freedom one gets from these outdoor, open-air parties that can’t be replicated indoors.
Historic docklands ship Alma Doepel has been gutted to make way for Atet. The 570-square-mete nightclub is built on the barge of the former vessel with a wide open deck and a mezzanine above it, complemented by two bars and a commercial kitchen.
It seems electronic music will be the main purpose of Atet Melbourne, but the vessel will also be available for corporate events, weddings and birthdays. And, let’s face it, probably “influencer events” too.
Atet Melbourne will open sometime in Spring although no official date has been confirmed.
Atet Melbourne
Address: Shed 2, North Wharf Road, Docklands VIC 3008
