Best Places To Go Out In Melbourne

The best way to get to know a city and its inhabitants is through its nightlife. After a few beers or wines hair is let down, insecurities are shed and everybody at the bar becomes friends. The best places to go out in Melbourne boast live music, raging dance floors and relaxing rooftop bars. 

If you’re looking for a good night in Melbourne you never have to look too hard or far. The city and suburbs are teeming with great bars and clubs. The only trouble is figuring out which ones are worth it, but fear not! We have assembled a comprehensive and categorised list of Melbourne’s best bars and clubs so you don’t have to take the trial-and-error out of your nightlife escapades. 

Quick links

• Best live music venues
• Best nightclubs
• Cheapest drinks and beer
• Best rooftop bars
• Best classic pubs

Best Live Music Venues in Melbourne

Gasometer

484 Smith Street, Collingwood 

This iconic bluestone pub has been welcoming patrons with open arms for over 150 years. She’s donned many monikers in her century-and-a-half of good times before returning to her birth name in 2010, The Gasometer. The Gasometer, or Gaso, gives off big ‘old pub’ vibes. But do not be deceived by the Gaso’s grungy facade! Beyond the bluestone exterior, you’ll find a trendy crowd of mulleted, stick-and-poked, Carhartt-wearing, headbanging music lovers. Don’t miss out on the good times and great music — don ye well-worn band shirt and get down to the Gaso for a beer and a boogie! 

Section 8

27-29 Tattersalls Lane, CBD

Dubbed the ‘pop-up bar that won’t die’, Section 8 is so stereotypically Melbourne they should put it on postcards. There’s always a live band or DJ setting up in the midst of the masses of bodies and the dingey alleyway art is far superior to anything you’ll see on the (IMO) extremely overrated and trademark touristy Hosier Lane. The open plan and makeshift seating arrangements encourage crowds to mingle and make conversation with one another. You’ll always catch a vibrant mixture of people flowing in and out of Section 8, from young creatives clocking off to club kids getting ready to kick off.

Corner Hotel

57 Swan Street, Richmond

The crowning glory of Richmond’s many gems, The Corner Hotel is arguably the destination for live music in Melbourne. Over the years patrons have blissed out and headbanged to the likes of Mick Jagger, the White Stripes, Rodriguez, and Midnight Oil. Sorry-not-sorry for flexing on those namedrops. Whether you wanna walk in the footsteps of rock royalty and rock out to a gig, or simply hit the cute leafy rooftop for a couple of bevies, The Corner’s got ya sorted.

Best Nightclubs in Melbourne

Revolvers

Level 2/229 Chapel St, Prahran

Melbourne wouldn’t be the same without Revolvers, affectionately referred to as Rev’s. This is for the hardcore club kids — think of it as Melbourne’s answer to Berghain. You'll be whisked away into a scene of techno, dark corners and stellar DJs at Rev's.

New Guernica

64 Smith St, Collingwood

New Gurnica is a must-do if you're in Melbourne, with awesome dancefloor spaces, scrummy drinks and the atmosphere to get you sweaty and amongst it. With international and Aussie acts, the DJs here are off the charts and you're sure to have an unforgettable night.

Sub Club

Flinders Ct, Melbourne

Dark, mysterious and full of some of the best acts in the world, let your night slip away into a haze of beats. Sub Club in the city is one of the best places to catch a late-night DJ, and is an unmissable stop on your next Melbourne night out. Open only on Friday and Saturday nights from 11 pm - 7 am, you'll be leaving with the sun!

 Cheapest Drinks and Beer in Melbourne

Prudence

368 Victoria Street, North Melbourne 

Prudence is a Melbourne mainstay that’s been satisfying champagne tastes and beer bottle pockets since 2000. Enter through the dimly lit bar from Victoria Street for a tres romantique vibe that falls somewhere between old-world date night and lusty brothel. Emerge into the smokers’ out the back to discover a Viking-esque beer hall with several long benches, ample seating and a cacophony of slurred conversations. Upstairs is a total vibe shift. Lose yourself in the maze of plush red lounges and nestle in for a night of good fun and cheap drinks that won’t break the bank.

Evie’s Disco Diner (at happy hour)

230 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

You’ll find Evie’s on the Smith Street end of Gertrude Street. This queer-friendly joint harkens back to the bygone days of Jane Fonda’s home workouts and legwarmers. This gem takes the form of an old-school roller rink. Step back into the eighties and save on some cheap, fruity drinks for an arvo to remember! Dive back to the bygone days of Jane Fonda home workout videos... white wine in hand!

Worker’s Club (on a Monday night)

51 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy 

Monday night is student night, and nowhere does student night like Worker’s Club. Home to an array of local and excellent gigs, Worker's Club also has some sweet, sweet deals, so grab a perch and a cold one and let the chats flow!

Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne

Her

Level 5/270 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne CBD

 Her seems to be the name on everybody’s lips of late. The rooftop and Music Room (level 1) are all over TikTok, and once you step inside you’ll understand why Melbournites are frothing this supreme destination. Climb the stairs or ride the elevator five stories up to emerge onto a tres European courtyard with Italian marble floors, plush velvet lounges, and touches of peach and peppermint. The cocktails are on tap, which I must admit I was dubious about at first, but have since come to appreciate due to its effect on halving the booze queue. Settle in with a French martini and pose for golden hour!

Naked for Satan

285 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

Okay, so this isn’t the most original recommendation for a Melbourne rooftop bar, as it is probably on everybody’s list of Melbourne rooftops... but have you seen the view?! A classic place for Melbournites to take any out-of-state visitor for a drink and a stunning view of the sparkling city skyline. As you enter the bowels of the bar from the street, head straight for the elevators toward the back, and be amazed by the sweeping views of the charming and sparkling Melbourne City.

Rooftop

Level 7, Curtin House 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD

They like to call a spade a spade and a rooftop a rooftop at this aptly named bar. Rooftop is a killer destination at the tippity top of Swanston Street’s Curtin House. Unfortunately, the elevator takes eons and isn’t going anywhere fast, so why not work up a thirst on the seven flights of stairs? Rooftop is positively flooded with Melbournians on a sunny day, just like all of the parks and pools except with beer on tap and good tunes on rotation. 

Classic Melbourne Pubs You Have to Visit

North Melbourne Town Hall

33 Errol Street North Melbourne

The Town Hall is easily my favourite pub in Australia. Slipping in from a cold rainy day, you’re whisked away to a ski chalet, all warm and cosy. The carpets have that musky old ski chalet smell, there’s always an odd little character tending to the fire. In the summer months, the jasmine-draped beer garden and carpark out back are flooded with patrons catching up on vitamin D. Grab a bevvy and experience the charm of a classic Melbourne pub!

The Flying Duck

67 Bendigo St, Prahran

Restored to its former glory thanks to Rustica royalty Brenton Lang and Drew Gibbs, the Flying Duck is once again open to the public. While classically Melbourne on the outside, the food and atmosphere inside is exquisite. With warm wood and charming exposed brick, grab a hearty meal and a cold beer and soak up the feeling of a local favourite pub.

The Union Club Hotel

164 Gore St, Fitzroy

Eagle-eyed fans of Australian television might recognise this joint from the beloved series Offspring where Nina Proudman’s brother Jimmy tends the bar and brother-in-law/Aus music darling Eddie Perfect provides the live tunes. Today, the legends and the good vibes live on. Like any pub worth its weight in salt, the Union comes alive during an AFL match. Head down to The Union and yell your way through a game, where the beers and flowing... you can't really get more Aussie than that.

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