A secret from the seas

Every Thursday night at The Mission to Seafarers bar, a small community gathers with one goal in mind, to sing their hearts out.

Robin Chris is a regular of the sea shanty nights at The Mission to Seafarers bar on Flinders Street in Melbourne’s CBD and has been an active participant ever since he sang his first song.

“I originally found the venue and saw that they were advertising a ‘sea shanties and folk songs’ night every Thursday so I just decided to come along, and I fell in love with it. I've been coming ever since.” Chris says.

The bar opened in 1917, with the purpose being to provide support and care for seafarers, workers who regularly sail the sea. The Mission to Seafarers helps these workers by helping them maintain contact with their loved ones at home, assisting them shop around the city, and more.

The sea shanty themed singing night helps provide funding for the charity but has also become an event that anybody can come to the bar for and have a great night of fun, all under the supervision of event coordinator Sarah Jean.

“The sea shanty nights bring in most of the business because we’re a charity... I think it’s more of a safe space, sense of belonging, something that people connect to” Jean says.

For passionate regulars like Robin, however, it’s about more than helping seafarers, but forming a connection between friends.

“There’s a lot of friendly faces every week so it's good to see them” Chris says.

Each song one member of the bar will lead a song, and others in the bar follow, with each song's lyrics being found in a book handed out upon entry to the bar.

“You might be a little shy singing, but this is a place where you can really open up and start to express yourself, make some friends and get drunk.” Chris says.

While some may find the community odd or not understand the point of the night, the smile across the regulars' faces while they sing is something Chris will always appreciate.

“You don’t often see places like this in Melbourne. It's a place where everyone can get together and sing songs with no expectations” Chris says.

Drinks are served, lyrics books are handed out, and songs are sung late into the night, a sight that Jean is happy to see, and Chris is happy to experience.