Venue Information

What Makes Hepburn Palais A Great Venue? 

What makes a great venue great?  First & foremost, it needs to be adaptable.  It needs to be able to seemlessly adapt for the audience and to adapt to the performance without compromising the experience for either.  A fluid space that can flip from theatre style seating to an open dancefloor, or a host private event that is capable of being easily ammended throught the day.   

The Hepburn Palais does all this, and more.  Aside from its history dating back to 1926, Hepburn Palais is best known for housing Australia's oldest sprung dancefloor and has served as a cultural hub for nearly a century, operating as a dance hall, movie theatre, and premier live entertainment venue licenced for 428 patrons. 

For our patrons: Hepburn Palais has 2 bars, an intimate VIP Room & Piano Bar (with a grand piano!), modern bathroom facilities, and on-grade wheelchair access with dedicated & compliant ambulated bathroom facilities, and most importantly - a wonderful range of Australian acts.    

For our artists: Hepburn Palais has a state of the art Line-Array sound system & digitial lighting system and screens, large 36m2 stage with private greenroom & facilities, a great in-house production crew, and most importantly - a wonderful local & regional crowd.

Hepburn Palais Drinks Menu

Whilst we don't serve food, we do have a great selection of Alcoholic & Non Alcoholic drinks, including Hot Drinks, as well as a great selection of Bar Snacks. Hepburn Palais is lucky to be surrounded by lots of fantastic restaurants, pubs, cafes, and a brilliant Pizzaria right across the road!  Both our Front Bar, and Piano Lounge Bar are generally open 90 minutes prior to the start of a show, and close 30 minutes after a show finishes.  Below is a copy of our drinks menu.   

Hepburn Palais Seating Plans

Each event has a seating plan that best suits the combined needs of both our patrons and our artists, and is designed to offer the right experience to suit the ticket selected.  Type of seating plan varies from show to show, and is clearly visible on the ticketing link for each show. 

Our Most Commonly Asked Questions... 

• Can we bring our kids who are under 18? Absolutely. Hepburn Palais is an "all ages" venue. Patrons under 18 are permittted if in the company of a responsible parent or carer. Obviously we are not able to serve anyone under the age of 18 alcohol, nor are we able to let someone else provide alcohol to a person under 18  
• Does Hepburn Palais sell food? Hepburn Palais does not have a restaurant. What we do have however, is an incredible choice of restaurants, pubs, cafes, bistros and fine-dining all located within a short distance, including the wonderful CELLO kitchen located next door to Hepburn Palais, and the much loved HOTEL BELLINZONA restaurant & bistro a short walk away.  We do sell a limited selection of pre-packaged snack foods over the bar if you did forget to eat.  
• Is Hepburn Palais wheelchair friendly? Yes. Hepburn Palais has very easy wheelchair and ambulated curbside access, with no stairs or ramps. Hepburn Palais has ambulant compliant bathroom facilites, and there are no stairs required to move around the venue. Every show has dedicated seating for wheelchairs.   
• What time do shows finish? Generally speaking, night time shows will be finished by 10.30pm and matinee shows by 4.30pm. 
• Is there parking available? Whist Hepburn Palais doesn't have any dedicated parking spaces, there is plently of free on-street parking available.
• Does Hepburn Palais accept companion cards or concession cards? Unfortunately due to Hepburn Palais having restricted patronage numbers, we are unable to offer companion or concession card discounts. 
• Is there public transport available to Hepburn? Public transport is available to Hepburn, but limited, primarily consisting of regional bus services and connections to major train lines. There is no direct rail service to Hepburn; visitors typically take a train to a nearby Vline station like Ballan, Woodend, or Castlemaine and transfer to a connecting bus.
• Why is Hepburn Palais a cashless venue? The decision to be cashless was made to ensure the safety and security of our small team and venue. Given that Hepburn Palais is only open to the public for live events, but also has various community groups utilising the space throughout the week, not having cash significantly reduces risk, reduces insurance costs, and increases the feeling of safety by the staff.  Hepburn Palais does NOT apply any surchage card fees.   
• What prices are your drinks? Schooners of tap beer start at $9.50, wine by the glass at $14.50, pre-packaged mixed drinks start at $9.50, and cans of soft drink at $6.50.  Please note that our liquor licence does not allow you to bring any drinks onto the premises & there is no BYO.
• Are there taxis available if we are staying in the region? Yes, there are taxi services in Hepburn but because there are only a small number of locally based drivers, it is highly recommended to pre-book, especially for peak times or late-night trips. The main provider for the region is Daylesford Taxi Cabs, which serves Hepburn Springs and surrounding areas. Phone: (03) 5348 1111 to book. Daylesford Taxi typically operates from 6:00 AM until midnight or 1:00 AM on weekends, and has accessible maxi taxis, and mini-buses for groups. Taxi company 13cabs also operates in Hepburn and can be booked 24/7 via the 13cabs app or by calling 13 2227.
• Can I take photos? Yes, photography is permitted, however flash-photography and professional photographic equipment is prohibited without prior approval.
• Can we meet the band after the show? We hope so! Hepburn Palais always encourages artists to stay & mingle. Many artists sell merchandise after the show, and are available for autographs, pictures, and a chat. Unfortunately it is not somethnig we can guarantee.
• Are the seats comfortable? Yes (well, we think they are). All our seating for live events are padded with a cushion.  If you have a 'standing only' event ticket, there are chairs located in the lounge and bar areas for pre & post show, but these are not able to be brought into the show area.

• Who owns Hepburn Palais? Hepburn Palais is a privately owned & operated venue. Hepburn Palais does not receive any funds, grants, or finacial support from any government or council organisation or agency.  

  

Hepburn Venue Guidelines & Conditions Of Entry

Please Note: Hepburn Palais is a CASHLESS venue. We accept all debit & credit cards with zero surcharge fees, but do not accept cash for the safety & security of our staff & our venue. 

Conditions of Entry – Please Read To Ensure A Great Event

• Licensing Compliance: Entry is subject to the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.
  Management reserves the right to refuse entry or evict any person who is considered to be
  intoxicated, drug affected violent, or argumentative. This venue requires the use of wrist
  bands to help us identify liquor licencing compliance.
• Proof of Age: This is an “all ages” venue. Valid photo ID (Australian Driver Licence,
  Passport, or Victorian Proof of Age card) must be presented upon request. If we think you
  look under the age of 25, we will ask you for ID. Failure to provide valid ID will mean that we
  cannot serve you alcohol, and you cannot consume alcohol on the premises. Minors are only
  permitted if accompanied by a responsible adult (this excludes events where alcohol is not
  available to be purchased.
• Prohibited Items: No outside alcohol, glass, or illegal substances are permitted on the
  premises. Recording equipment and professional cameras are prohibited unless prior written
  approval is granted.
• Search on Entry: Security staff may inspect bags and personal belongings as a condition of
  entry to ensure licencing compliance. Refusal to comply will result in denied access.
• Conduct & Safety: Patrons must follow all staff directions. Aggressive, harassing, or
  disorderly behaviour will result in immediate removal without refund.
• Personal Risk: Entry is at your own risk. The venue is not liable for loss or damage to
  personal property or injury sustained on the premises.
• Dress Standards: A minimum dress standard of clean, neat attire and footwear is required.
  As this is an “all ages” venue, offensive slogans are not permitted. The wearing of security
  uniforms is not permitted.
• Free Water: Free drinking water is always available at the bar upon request.

• Noise Control: This is a residential neighbourhood where our neighbours are entitled to
  quiet enjoyment. Please be considerate when leaving. We ask you to keep noise to a
  minimum when outside the premises. We reserve the right to refuse entry & re-entry to
  ensure compliance.

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  GENERAL LIQUOR LICENCE NUMBER 31957763 (LICENCED FOR 428 PATRONS)

  TRADING AS: THE HEPBURN PALAIS HOTEL & HEPBURN PALAIS THEATRE

  NOMINEE: BROOKE POLLOCK (AS ACTING LICENCEE)

  ADDRESS: 111 MAIN STREET, HEPBURN SPRINGS 3461 

  MAILING: PO BOX 46, TRENTHAM, VICTORIA 3458

  ABN: 79 677 160 250

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  Hepburn Palais is proudly located on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung People (the Djaara) in the Wombat State Forest, and acknowledges the Djaara as the traditional custodians of the land on which we are located. 

  We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.