Best Live Music in Melbourne (2026)
Planning your next outing? These are 35 of the best live music in Melbourne right now, whether you're after a lazy weekend, a day with the kids or somewhere new to explore. We rank each one by our Spot Score and keep the list fresh, so you're always seeing what's actually worth your time.
Melbourne's live-music scene runs from intimate bars and band rooms to bigger stages. These are the venues to catch a gig — check each one's listings for who's playing and when.
35 spots
Melbourne Recital Centre
Intimate live music venue in Southbank presenting classical, jazz, and contemporary performances.
Forum Melbourne
Historic live music venue on Flinders Street in Melbourne's CBD, hosting touring and local acts.
Arts Centre Melbourne
Major performing arts venue in Southbank with theatres, concert hall and outdoor arena hosting diverse shows and events.
Palais Theatre
Classic 1920s picture house turned theatre, hosting mainstream musical acts, ballet and comedy.
The JazzLab - Bennetts Lane Jazz Club Brunswick
Live Music in Brunswick, Melbourne.
The Tote
Long-running, iconic locale with exposed-brick walls, for punk, metal, and psychedelic rock bands.
Bird's Basement
$$High-profile jazz venue & reincarnation of famous New York live gig institution with a restaurant.
Northcote Social Club
$$Hip, laid-back joint with regular live bands & a spacious deck offering updated pub eats & beer.
Max Watts
Live Music in Melbourne CBD, Melbourne.
MEMO Music Hall
Live Music in St Kilda, Melbourne.
The Night Cat
Live Music in Fitzroy, Melbourne.
Chapel Off Chapel
Independent music, theatre & art shows in a versatile, contemporary space & revamped chapel.
Tempo Rubato
Live Music in Brunswick, Melbourne.
Mamma Chen's
Live Music in Footscray, Melbourne.
Brunswick Ballroom
Live Music in Brunswick, Melbourne.
Baxter's
$$Live bands, cocktails & bar bites provided in an intimate setting with chandeliers & stone walls.
Mr Boogie Man Bar
$Live Music in Collingwood, Melbourne.
Revolver Upstairs
Big-name DJs, live bands and a graffiti wall in a buzzing club with a funky Thai restaurant.
Live Music by suburb
Zoom in on the best live music in Melbourne's most popular neighbourhoods.
Live Music guides for Melbourne
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From grand gardens and riverside lawns to a bayside lookout and the 1000 Steps, these are Melbourne's best free outdoor days.
Read guide →roundupMelbourne With Kids: Family-Friendly Things to Do
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Read guide →Live Music in Melbourne — FAQs
What are the best live music in Melbourne?+
Our top-rated live music in Melbourne are ranked by our Spot Score, which combines Google ratings, review volume, category fit and how recently we verified the details. The highest scorers appear at the top of this page.
How is the Melbourne live music ranking decided?+
We blend independent signals — Google star ratings and review counts, popularity, the quality of available information and freshness — into a single Spot Score out of 100. It's an editorial score, not a paid placement.
Can I filter live music by suburb or price?+
Yes. Use the filters to narrow by suburb, minimum rating, price level, whether a place is open now, and features like dog-friendly or outdoor seating.
How many live music are listed in Melbourne?+
We currently feature 35 live music across Melbourne and surrounding suburbs, and we add and re-check venues regularly.