Selina’s – Coogee Bay Hotel
Selina’s in the Coogee Bay Hotel was one of Sydney’s best venues for a number of decades. It was a large, purpose-built venue with a big stage and a mezzanine level for the really big shows. This also served as the “V.I.P” area and was a fantastic place to watch a live band. I had the pleasure of going there on many occasions as both a punter and as road crew for various bands and the stories that were born there were legendary.
It was a fair haul from Cabramatta to Coogee and back but we still made the trip regularly as there was always someone good on at Selina’s. I remember seeing bands like Rose Tattoo, The Hitmen, Chain, The Divinyls, Matt Finish & The Radiators to name just a few. The place would be packed wall to wall & was your typical sweaty venue but during band breaks you could head out to that awesome beer garden overlooking the beach. Heaven!
The first time I worked there as a sound engineer was a night to remember. The band I was working with, Bandanna, was booked to play on the bill with Chain and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. What and incredible lineup. When we got there and met the main act’s crew who were from Melbourne, it quickly became apparent they had underestimated the size of the place and they clearly did not have enough PA. The tour manager looked at me & said “have you got any speakers and amps in that truck mate?” to which I replied “yep, a double three way”. He handed me a wad of cash and said, “back your truck up”. Yeehah! Our pay just doubled for the night. We also had the added bonus that Selina’s did not allow you to load out on the night of the gig due to neighbourhood noise complaints. This meant you had to stay there so they gave you a room. The night just got better and better!
We did our set to a very warm reception, watched Chain give an incredible performance, then we witnessed something magic… John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers in full flight. It was quality that you couldn’t take your eyes off. Just when you thought things could not get any better we discovered the venue had delivered an after gig feast for the main band, who had already left for the airport! Dig in folks. It was a great initiation to an iconic venue.
So, what’s your memories of Selina’s? Leave a comment below.
Video’s from Selina’s
Here’s few selected Gigs at Selina’s
| Date | Artist | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/09/79 | Cold Chisel | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
| 02/11/79 | Hello Sailor | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
| + The Lonely Hearts | |||
| 14/11/81 | Radiators | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
| + The Lonely Hearts | |||
| 29/01/82 | Heaven | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
| + Vixen, The Lonely Hearts | |||
| 14/08/82 | Boss | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
| 16/04/83 | Zarsoff Brothers | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
| (late show) | |||
| 09/09/83 | Q.E.D. | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
| 07/12/85 | Geisha | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
| 07/04/86 | The Damned | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
| 12/04/86 | Kam Sha | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
| 10/05/86 | Kam Sha | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
| 30/08/86 | Spy Vs Spy | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
| 25/10/86 | Bandanna | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
| Supporting Chain and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers | |||
| 21/11/86 | V Capri | Coogee | Selinas – Coogee Bay Hotel |
dragon and hello sailor new years eve i think 1978/79 loved selinas
Saw many bands over the years @ Selina’s.
The Cramps, PIL, Flamin Groovies, Danzig, Fear Factory. Was a great venue!
It was my local , from 1977 to close, saw so many bands in the three different configurations it had. My mate from school days did the bookings for ages. Angels were always so full on , and Chisel never disappointed.In the early days we used to get in through the window of the restaurant where everyone was lined up outside after it closed and then through the kitchen into the room. Fun times.
its was awesome days , just magic loved the 3 stages one would ends it would go dark then boom some amazing band would be on one of the other stages and I did love a steak in the court yard to the smell of good food live A grade musos and so many great people the ocean what more would any one want miss them days for sure
It was in the days when Michael Hutchians INXS was a teenager I remember him being so scared but boom he got it on when he started to sing. so many bands great memories
Why isn’t the Divinyls on that list? I saw them live at the Coogee Bay Hotel, I think it was either 1992 or 1993
This was the golden age of Australian pub rock and man, Selinas was just the best venue to catch so many great bands. You were almost guaranteed a decent band every weekend and I saw some absolute beauties. Some memorable moments include Midnight Oils at Selinas first Birthday gig. Garrett being wheeled out in a big cake, popping out of that cake playing Wedding Cake island which turned into a sweaty cake fight. The Angels on numerous occasions and every other decent Oz rock act to grace its stages. Let’s not forget some cracker international acts. The Cult, Simple Minds, New Order, OMD, UB 40 (people still dancing 20 mins after finish of gig), James Brown, Ramones, the list goes on. Brilliant huge beer barn that just rocked
Saw Midnight Oil at Salina’s and many other bands from 88-93. Those days are certainly history. Buying six cans of new at a time, which they left unopened, that served as fuel, bath water, and ammunition! Once walked into a Reggae band playing, with a thick cloud of gunga at head height on the lower level, so you were stoned within ten minutes. And the sound was awesome. Great memories from a more relaxed time, before the fun police and bouncers in Sydney became complete arseholes!
lived not far from coogee saw steppenwolf, Richard clapton, the ian gillan band 81ish rads oils angles all that sort of music, bar stayed opened till 3 am, women everywhere great memory
Was the owner named Peter ??
Terry Page
The Coogee Bay hotel was my home from 86-98. Selina’s where I spent every night either working on the sound crew or ligging out to every show I was in town for if not touring. I worked for Jands That was enough to get me in. We sweated over shows with the Oils , Hoodoos, Divinyls, Rads, Jamezrayne, and so many Aus bands going off. Then we saw way too much of Courtney’s Hole. Radiohead. Soundgarden. Toto. charity shows when Marc Hunter passed. The balcony out backstage all the bands used as dressing rooms and trying to walk past Shaw O’Neil. Some might remember the dodgy Wilco outlets. Or the smell of the carpet that was never changed in 20 years. But Selina’s was Sydney Rock n roll. It was the venue every band wanted to fill ( before the Horden or SEC. ). I live overseas now but Arden St Coogee is my home.
Saw Cold Chisel there in 78
2 words fucking amazing
Hi, I saw so many amazing bands here many times….. The Radiators, The Angels, Midnight Oil, Joan Jett ♥, to name some greats. Spent many years attending this great venue x
Hi there, can anyone tell me the date James Brown played Selina’s (it was between October 87 and April 88)? I was looking for the set list. It was a fantastic show, shortly before or after The Cult also played a blinder.
Thanks
I was wondering the same thing as si was there too. Loved it!!!
Spent many a night in there,’78-85…..mostly either doin lites out front,or stage,or monitors.Loudest Band,had to be Motorhead.,blew the fukkin’ roof offa the joint,hadda 2nd PA halfway down the room,so people outside and on the beach gottan earfull…………pulled down the rig,and left it on the stage,and straight off to the Manzil,with all crew in My PanelVan……….walked outta there @ 8.30-9am,after a few Irish coffees……
Omg the Mandrax room. The last refuge of ‘those not ready to go home just yet ‘ open till dawn. So dark in there. Met some real stunners who in the early morning light were transformed 😬 .. like yeah look I won’t come back to yours I just remembered an apt ..
I was backing & living in the hostel, Surfside, above the McDonald’s, the CBH was my local for many months, saw the Sex Pistols there in October 1996. Many a great night in the CBH & Selina’s.
Remember seeing Midnight Oil supported by INXS, 1980-ish. Also Simple Minds, The Riptides, and others no lost in the mists of time.
I remember the Midnight Oil/INXS gig. Def 1980. I moved to Sydney late 79 and was 6 months or so later. It was the original stage at the side before the new big one opened. Remember seeing Simple Minds and Riptides there. Were Riptides support that night? Long time ago to recall exact.
The stay over night rule at Selinas killed the venue.
Having to book production, crew, transport for 2 days or not be able to get to the next gig in time made it uneconomical to play Selinas.
All due to developers being allowed to build apartments next to the loading dock.
Another venue bites the dust.
A very Sydney story.
Saw Cheap Trick there in ’88. My ears are still ringing.
The last concert I went to Selina’s was UB40 . Some fool lit a fire on the floor where the audience was packed. The management went into evacuation mode and the front door was the only exit 🙄 I got dragged in the crush and just when I was near the front door I and others saw a hand rise above our heads with a hand gun. He fired one shot as I ran towards Coogee Bay Rd. A girl and I try to jump into the same cab and I ended up going back to her place .. 😘 absolutely crazy night
Hi guys, I used to hang out quite a bit there in the very early 70’s anyone remember Robbie Peters, not sure if I’ve remembered the name right but great singer, great venue, big bouncer as well 🤩
I can’t remember the years but I remember seeing some fuckin sick gigs at Selinas. Suicidal Tendencies, Fishbone, and The Angels are the standout memories.
One really memorable night from many was seeing the Cramps there. It was so hot that condensation was dripping from the ceiling near the bar! Watched one person jump from the VIP area into the crowd & survived uninjured! Top night!
I booked the venue 1990 to 2000, 571 events, it was a massive decade of gigs, the cult, nirvana, oils, angels, chisel, offspring, sound garden, meatloaf, stevie wright, Jeff Buckley, all the big day out acts and list goes on…….
I’ll never forget James Brown. But then i recon with the brain cells i destroyed there, i can forget. Although thanks to Mr Senakis, that VIP area we had an EPIC time.
I was there also. What year was that? 88 or 89?
I’ll never forget James Brown. But then i recon with the brain cells i destroyed there, i can forget.
I saw James Brown play at Selinas sometime between Oct 87 and Apr 88, do you know that date or the set list? Haven’t been able to track it down. 🍻