Nightlife in Melbourne
Eccentrically furnished bars are a city trademark, recreating lounges from the 1950s or Hollywood bachelor pads of the 1970s. Seek them out in unexpected places, like Comme Wine Room or hovering above the rooftops at Cookie. Theatre and performing arts cluster around the Arts Centre near Southbank. New and established bands perform at Inner North and St Kilda clubs. Roofed venues are smoke-free and open to 3am on Friday and Saturday.
Bars
Expand all1. Cookie - Buzzing beer hall
Show moreUp a level from the city streets, this disco/beer hall is huge but stylish with soaring ceilings and pillars. The beer and liquor options are endless and Thai bar snacks and meals are served. There's seating on the balcony.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
252, Swanston Street, Curtin House, First Floor, Melbourne 3000
Telephone
+61 (0) 3 9663 7660
2. Madame Brussels - Terrace cocktails and cupcakes
Show moreMadame Brussels blends fifties kitsch and country club ambience with astroturf and a quirky trellised bar. Recline on a divan on the garden terrace overlooking city rooftops while sipping Pimm's and grazing on cucumber sandwiches and cupcakes.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
59-63, Bourke Street, Level 3, Melbourne 3000
Telephone
+61 (0) 3 9662 2775
3. Mink - Vodka bar
Show more
Dim lights, eccentric armchairs and timber-lined nooks make Mink a glamorous underground refuge for lovers of all things vodka. Part of the Prince complex in St Kilda, it offers bookable private lounges and booths.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
2, Acland Street, St Kilda, Melbourne 3182
Telephone
+61 (0) 3 9536 1199
4. Transit - Drinks on the square
Show moreSmack-bang in the middle of the city, Transit is the most central spot in town for a late afternoon pick-me-up or into-the-night good time. Swill drinks overlooking Federation Square or nab a manly wood and leather banquette inside.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
Transport Hotel Level 2, Federation Square, Melbourne 3000
Telephone
+61 (0) 3 9654 8808
5. Comme Wine Room - Sophisticated wines
Show more
Tucked down a city laneway, Comme Wine Room focuses on glamour and fine wines. The space is dominated by a central marble bar and cosy ottomans for sharing. Taste the bar menu or head next door to Comme Kitchen bistro.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
7, Alfred Place, Melbourne 3000
Telephone
+61 (0) 3 9631 4000
6. Tony Starr's Kitten Club - Jazz and cabaret bar
Show moreThe city's Tony Starr's Kitten Club shrieks fifties glamour with cool tunes, classic cocktails, laidback lounges and powder room. Away from the cocktails, there's cabaret or jazz in the Galaxy Space and a secluded velvet nook called the Love Lounge.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
267, Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Telephone
+61 (0) 3 9650 2448
7. Synbar - Disco bar
Show moreThe entertainment is DJ-driven at modern, newly renovated Synbar in Melbourne's CBD. Away from the dance floor, chill out on the huge alfresco balcony or sip cocktails in a private booth or VIP Lounge. Enjoy free BBQs on Fridays.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
Level 1, 163, Russell Street, Corner of Bourke and Russell Streets, Melbourne 3000
Telephone
+61 (0) 3 9663 8990
Clubs
Expand all8. Fusion - Live casino entertainment
Show moreCrown Casino's Fusion nightclub on Southbank takes place Thursday to Sunday with top house DJs and live rhythms. Occasional cabaret, 80s cover bands and Top 40 nights round off the entertainment.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
8, Whiteman Street, Level 3 Crown Entertainment Complex, Melbourne 3006
Telephone
+61 (0) 3 9292 8888
9. The Loft - Disco with city views
Show morePoised above the city's theatre district, The Loft has floor-to-ceiling views, disco glitter balls and a long cool bar. The packed dance floor sways to a friendly mix of Top 40 and RnB on Fridays and Saturdays only.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
117, Lonsdale Street, Level 2, Melbourne 3000
Telephone
+61 (0) 425 854 989
10. Night Cat - Cool club for dancing
Show moreThe Night Cat has been a Fitzroy favourite for more than a decade. There's plenty of room to swing and comfy seats and mood lighting for relaxing. The live sounds are varied, from hip hop to funk and salsa.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
141, Johnston Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne 3065
Telephone
+61 (0) 3 9417 0090
Entertainment
Expand all11. Arts Centre - Melbourne's cultural hub
Show more
Head for the Arts Centre's spire past Southbank for myriad performance and exhibition spaces. Hamer Hall presents orchestras, the Playhouse does drama and the State Theatre hosts opera and musicals. The intimate Speigeltent returns each spring and summer with cabaret.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
100, St Kilda Road, Melbourne 3004
Telephone
+61 (0) 3 9281 8000
12. Forum Theatre - Classic atmospheric theatre
Show more The Forum Theatre owes its Florentine decor and flamboyant Moorish architecture to its former life as a cinema. It's one of the city's most atmospheric venues for seeing a live band or film during the festival, with intimate cabaret-style seating.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
Corner Russell and Flinders Streets, Melbourne 3000
Telephone
+61 (0) 3 9299 9860
13. Prince Bandroom - Live bands
Show more
Bands have been playing the St Kilda Prince Bandroom for decades. It's received a scrubdown but is still a favourite for music lovers. There are acts most nights, from Billy Bragg to Sly & Robbie.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
29, Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Melbourne 3182
Telephone
+61 (0) 3 9536 1168
14. Bennetts Lane - Jazz icon
Show moreBennetts Lane means one thing - the best jazz in the city. Live acts feature every night of the week, as well as impromptu performances when stars are in town. The club, seating 100, is suitably dimly lit and intimate.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
25, Bennetts Lane, Melbourne 3000
Telephone
+61 (0) 3 9663 2856
15. Ding Dong Lounge - Alternative rock
Show moreLike its sister club in New York, Chinatown's Ding Dong Lounge celebrates alternative rock. Drop in for a drink or catch local or international rock music. The style is Ramones and Stooges, with definitely no electronica.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Address
18, Market Lane, Level 1, Melbourne 3000
Telephone
+61 (0) 3 9662 1020
