It’s no competition that Melbourne has the best nightlife in Australia, as well as the most culture out of any other city in the country. Melbourne is famous for its nightlife, its music scene, its cocktail scene, its food scene, and even its pubs still stand out.
I lived in Melbourne for many years, and have dabbled in every possible type of nightlife in Melbourne – from the techno warehouses to trivia night at the pub. And not once did I ever get bored with the amazing amount of events constantly going on here.
Melbourne’s nightlife scene is an extension of the city’s character and is just as ample and varied. Besides the artsy energy and sumptuous food, it’s possible to discover chic rooftop bars, jazz lounges, noisy nightclubs, and glittering casino floors, whether you are looking for a calm, crafted cocktail or are ready to dance until morning comes and beyond. This guide to Melbourne nightlife will get you off to a good start.
What to Know about Melbourne Nightlife
Melbourne is a very special place with unique nightlife unmatched in the world. The first thing that makes it truly unique is the laneway culture here – in the early 90s, people began opening venues on the tiny backstreets in the city center, which eventually blew up into an entire laneway culture. There are so many tiny cafes, hidden bars, and even live music venues down tiny dark streets you’d be worried to walk down in any other city.
Secondly, Melbourne is one of the only places in the world with different venues licensed to stay open all weekend, or serve alcohol at certain hours. You can find venues starting to pop off at 7 am on a Sunday morning, opening on Monday mornings, or staying open well past sunrise… which you can’t find in too many other places. Details below!
Or, check for more information about Australian nightlife in general from my travels here.
Elegant Cocktail Bars to Start Your Evening in Melbourne
If there’s something Melbourne does well, it’s a delicious cocktail. I used to run hidden bar tours in Melbourne and here are 3 of my favorites – check my article on the top hidden bars in Melbourne for more!
Beneath Driver Lane
This was always my favorite cocktail bar, with a highly creative menu that changes with the seasons. In true Melbourne fashion, it is located in a repurposed historic venue, which is actually underground. It’s a great place for a date or to start the night off with amazing, slightly fancy cocktails and delicious bites.
Eau de Vie
This is Melbourne’s classic hidden bar, located down a laneway with nothing but a lantern to mark its entrance. These cocktails are truly an art of performance – many are served with smoke, fog, or unique vessels, too.
Berlin Bar
This is one of Melbourne’s most unique bars – literally designed like east and west Germany during WWII (bougie and fancy and basically a war zone). Their cocktails all have historic significance and stories attached and are simply delicious.
Unique + Hip Melbourne Style Bars
These bars are unique in some way and very Melbourne chic.
Section 8
Section 8 is a refreshing alternative that might be considered borderline unorthodox. It’s an outdoor bar that features a shipping container-based structure in a laneway, where you can sit on wooden pallets surrounded by makeshift gardens and murals covering the entire venue.
Section 8 is a vibey spot to have after-work drinks in the city, and it often throws its own music events too that may be ticketed, so many sure to check beforehand!
Whitehart Bar
Speaking of shipping container bars, Whitehart is another very unique and almost hidden CBD shipping container bar that has a rolling selection of very unique craft beers with flavors never before seen! It’s always a fun vibe here, too.
Little Lon Distilling Co
Little Lon is another very tucked-away bar in an old 1800’s building. It’s absolutely tiny and only has space for about 10 people, as one of the two rooms is used as a boutiqie gin distillery. You can do gin tastings or try one of the most delicious gin & tonics ever – or some gin cocktails too.
Casino and High-Stakes Venues
Crown Melbourne
When you’re ready to raise the stakes, head to Crown Melbourne. Crown is actually the largest casino in the southern hemisphere, right here in Melbourne… it’s the place where nights often end up, but it’s great to start the night, too. There are dozens of restaurants and bars inside, as well as three hotels.
Apart from its dining and entertainment offerings, the casino floors deliver classic gaming and glitzy energy. The venue also houses the dedicated “Level 3 Nightclubs” zone for after-hours dancing and fun.If you’d rather keep things digital, check out the high roller bonus casino offers online before you head there.
Late-night Dancing and Clubbing Melbourne Nightlife
Sub Club
Located in a laneway, Flinders Court, Sub Club is an underground-style club. It’s known for its techno, house and deep electronic beats. The sound system is a serious feature that people love! This venue is for those who love immersive clubbing. Dress comfortably and be ready for an amazing dance night.
Brown Alley
Brown Alley is a multi-level, high-energy, dance club that’s located in the Colonial Hotel on Lonsdale Street. It has four different rooms, a rooftop, and more, and the club will be set up differently depending on the programming for the night – from famous dj’s or artists on stage in the main room to underground in the basement.
Make sure to check the event line-ups beforehand, as big names and themed nights usually mean that the venue can get crowded on certain nights.
Revolver Upstairs
On Chapel Street, “Revs” has legendary status for live music, DJ sets, and parties that stretch into the early hours. This is THE Melbourne club – set up like a lounge with couches across the dance floor with an immaculate vibe that has been praised by dj’s across the world who have been blessed enought to place a set from inside ‘the sage.’
Revs opens on Fridays, closes for an hour on Saturday afternoons, and then opens again and closes on Monday. ‘Revolver Sundays’ is the most famous offering, where famous resident DJs raise the vibe around 6-7am on Sunday mornings (yes, this is when it will be the most crowded). They also have headliners on Sunday nights often.
Revs is truly an institution of Melbourne and a piece of history – it’s THE staple of Melbourne nightlife, especially if you’re into electronic music and techno!
One Six One / Breakfast Club
One Six One is another fun multi-level club located on Chapel Street in Prahran. It has a great vibe on the weekends, but the real draw is when it hosts the Breakfast Club on Monday mornings. Yep, you read that right – Monday mornings, breakfast club begins at 9am and is an all-day party on the rooftop limited to 100 people (but more can fit downstairs). Make sure to look rested, though – they won’t let you in if you look like you’ve been up all night!
Storyville
Storyville is another hybrid Melbourne venue with both a unique cocktail bar and a club upstairs that stays open past sunrise. The whole place is fairytale themed, so expect to have drinks themed like your favorite fairytales (like Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, etc) under huge flourescent mushrooms and enchanted forests.
Circus
Circus is another well-known house and techno venue that will stay open past the sunrise for expert partiers. It has an indoor venue and a rooftop with dj’s spinning and sometimes some big names, too.
Pawn & Co
This is a super unique club in Prahran that is actually also a genuine pawn shop with all kinds of unique knick-knacks covering the walls. See if you find something interesting, or dance to elecronic music until the wee hours.
New Guernica
This is an underground alternative in Collingwood that appeals to music explorers. Expect experimental nights, fun electronic DJ sets, and a true Melbourne club feeling.
Glamorama
Glamorama is known by some as ‘the revs of the north’ because it has a similar vibe on the Melbourne north side and some great electronic music shows. Check who is djing beforehand or if there’s a gig in case you need tickets.
My Aeon
To find the best electronic music in the far north of the city in Brunswick, My Aeon often hosts super fun events bridging two floors and an outdoor area, bridging from house and techno to psytrance.
Something Different: Live Music + Hybrid Spaces
Cherry Bar
Cherry Bar is famously the first rock and roll bar in the Melbourne CBD, tucked away in a street art laneway. It has to change location a few years back, but it still brings the same great energy.
The Night Cat
In Fitzroy, The Night Cat leans into live band performances, Afro-Latin rhythms and a joyous, inclusive vibe. They often host gigs here, from live bands to DJs, depending on the night.
5. Final Tips for a Night Out in Melbourne
- Begin early. Have cocktails or dinner between 7 pm and 9 pm at one of the bars to warm up.
- Wear appropriate clothes. Most clubs generally require a smart-casual dress code. Slippers or sportswear are usually not allowed.
- Think about your transportation. Trams, rideshares and trains are available late, but if you’re going to be out after 3-4 am, you should consider your travel plans.
- Be aware of the time. Some places may be open late, but it’s always good to check the times for entry and the cost of the ticket.
- Keep safe. Drink plenty of water, have a friend with you, and always know where your exit will be.
Melbourne has a nightlife that you MUST experience. You can be sipping a delicious cocktail while looking at the city from the top, dancing on a crowded dance floor, or playing casino games. Whatever your mood and hour, there’s something for you. Make sure you check live updates, dress codes and transport timings if you want to have a great night out.
Check out some more of my Melbourne guides:
- Best breakfast and brunch in Melbourne
- 2 Days in Melbourne Itinerary
- 100 Things to Do in Melbourne
- and so much more, from neighborhood guides to day trips!
Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.