Melbourne Nightlife: The Best Bars & Live Music

Melbourne's after-dark scene is famously spread across its neighbourhoods, from laneway cocktail dens in the CBD to the live music halls that anchor the city's reputation. This guide pulls together a mix of bars, pubs and dedicated music venues so you can plan a night around a good drink, a proper gig, or both. Whether you're staying central or heading out to the inner-north and south-east suburbs, there's a clear sense of how Melbourne does a night out.

Why Melbourne delivers

The appeal here is range within easy reach. You can start with cocktails in the CBD at places like Eau De Vie Melbourne or State of Grace, catch a show at a heritage music room such as Forum Melbourne or the Melbourne Recital Centre, then settle into a pub like the Royston Hotel in Richmond or The Drunken Poet in North Melbourne. The inner suburbs add their own character, with bars dotted through Fitzroy, Brunswick, Prahran and South Yarra.

Highlights

• Cocktail-focused nights in the CBD at Eau De Vie Melbourne and State of Grace
• Live music and gigs at Forum Melbourne, Melbourne Recital Centre and Arts Centre Melbourne
• Jazz at Paris Cat Jazz Club in the city
• Classic pub sessions at the Royston Hotel, The Drunken Poet and The Local Taphouse
• Inner-north bar hopping around Fitzroy and Brunswick at BAR STOCK SHUFFLE and Bar Spontana
• South-east drinks in Prahran and South Yarra at Bar Blanco and Leonards House of Love

Our top picks

Hand-picked from our highest-scoring listings:

• BAR STOCK SHUFFLE — Fitzroy
• Ballers Clubhouse Carlton — Carlton
• Melbourne Recital Centre — Melbourne CBD
• Soak Bathhouse - South Yarra — South Yarra
• Royston Hotel — Richmond
• Bar Blanco — Prahran
• Forum Melbourne — Melbourne CBD
• Arts Centre Melbourne — St Kilda
• Eau De Vie Melbourne — Melbourne CBD
• Bar Spontana — Brunswick

Explore more

Browse all bars, pubs, live music, breweries in Melbourne.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I catch live music in Melbourne at night?

For dedicated live music, look to Forum Melbourne and Melbourne Recital Centre in the CBD, Arts Centre Melbourne in St Kilda, and Paris Cat Jazz Club in the city for jazz.

Which suburbs are good for bar hopping?

The CBD has a strong cluster of bars including Eau De Vie Melbourne, State of Grace and Paris Cat Jazz Club. The inner-north offers BAR STOCK SHUFFLE in Fitzroy and Bar Spontana in Brunswick, while Prahran and South Yarra have Bar Blanco and Leonards House of Love.

Where should I go for a pub night?

For a more relaxed pub session, try the Royston Hotel in Richmond, The Drunken Poet in North Melbourne, The Local Taphouse in St Kilda, or Soak Bathhouse in South Yarra.

Can I do both drinks and live music in one night?

Yes. With CBD bars like Eau De Vie Melbourne and State of Grace close to music venues such as Forum Melbourne and Melbourne Recital Centre, it's easy to pair pre-show drinks with a gig in the city.