Image by Mat Connolley (Wikimedia Commons)
Chapel Street is renowned for its dazzling lights, long strip shopping and its colourful night life, but be warned once it gets dark there are some spots of Chapel Street you might want to give a miss for your own safety.
Here are your top three spots to avoid.
1) Hungry Jacks, Intersection of Commercial Road and Chapel Street
Admittedly, reasonably safe during the day, Hungry Jacks has a reputation of being a haven for late night night-clubbers. An unfortunate incident occurred a few years ago involving late night clubbers and bouncers, resulting in spinal injuries for one clubber after a bouncer savagely attacked him. Security on Hungry Jacks has since been relaxed, however best steer clear for your own safety. McDonalds and KFC located within a short walking distance of Hungry Jacks are also high-risk areas with drunks and clubbers swarming at around 12pm.
2) Outside Bridie O'Reilly's, 462 Chapel Street, North End
Always a favourite for drinkers,
Bridie O'Reilly's is the local watering hole for many of Prahran's locals. While generally safe during the day and afternoon, Bridie's can become packed at night leading to tighter security measures. Patrons can get knocked back and tensions quickly escalate. Best avoid this area if you can, especially on St Pat's Day where patrons are likely to have one too many.
3) Corner of Dandenong Road and Chapel Street, South End
The south end of Chapel Street did have a previous reputation for being a little bit seedy, however things have improved somewhat. The area is quite safe during the day, but it somewhat less desirable at night. The area to avoid is around Windsor Station and around the bottle shops near Dandenong Road. Windsor Station becomes a hangout for youths, while its cousin Prahran Station is generally a lot safer. Although this area is not fraught with danger, best to be aware not alarmed.
