Velvet & Vice: Speakeasy Dinner & Live Jazz Inside the Old Geelong Gaol

Velvet & Vice transforms the Old Geelong Gaol into a one-night speakeasy that pairs regional food, cocktails, and live jazz beneath 19th-century cell blocks. Located at 202 Myers St in Geelong, Victoria, this evening experience runs about three hours and invites guests to dress in crime or glamour for an indulgent, theatrical night out.

From the moment you step through the door, the gaol’s stone corridors and ironwork become a stage. Roaming canapés highlight Geelong and Victorian producers—seafood, local cheeses, and small-batch preserves—served alongside cocktails and wines from nearby makers. The bar program leans into craft techniques: stirred classics, barrel-aged pours, and signature cocktails designed to echo the venue’s shadowy atmosphere. A live jazz ensemble threads through the cell blocks, creating a low, propulsive soundtrack that keeps the night moving between tasting stations and intimate performance pockets.

What makes Velvet & Vice special is the collision of setting and curation. The Old Geelong Gaol’s 19th-century cell blocks are not just wallpaper; their stone walls, narrow windows, and iron gates shape the way the evening unfolds. That architecture gives the food and drink a dramatic edge—tasting a regional bite against cold stone feels deliberate and theatrical. The event’s focus on local producers also roots the menu in place: you’re tasting Geelong’s terroir via small producers rather than generic, imported options.

This is a social event as much as a tasting. Guests circulate, sample, and discover—there’s no single set table, and the format favors mingling with friends or strangers. The suggested dress code—crime or glamour—adds theater without needing costume expertise: a sharp jacket, a bias-cut dress, or a fedora is enough to fit the mood.

Accessibility is friendly: the offering notes wheelchair accessibility, and the venue accommodates guests with mobility needs. The event is strictly 18+ and runs roughly three hours, so plan for an evening out rather than a quick stop.

Why book this in Geelong? Velvet & Vice showcases the city in a way that feels celebratory and slightly mischievous. It’s an opportunity to taste local makers, hear live jazz in an unusual historic space, and enjoy an evening that’s staged with attention to flow, flavor, and atmosphere. For visitors seeking a memorable night—one that pairs culinary craft with theatrical design—this speakeasy brings a polished, site-specific experience in the heart of Geelong.

Tickets often sell quickly: early-bird pricing is listed at $199, with regular price $249, and the event is single-evening only—book ahead through the referral link to secure a place. Arrive a little early to orient yourself to the labyrinthine layout, carry a photo ID for the 18+ policy, and plan onward transport: Geelong’s central location makes taxis and rideshares easy but public schedules can thin after late shows.