Morris House

Morris House brings several kinds of Melbourne night out together under one roof in the CBD, on the corner of Exhibition and Little Collins streets. The four-level venue combines a ground-floor dining room, a bar and terrace, a leafy rooftop and a basement comedy club, making it suited to a meal, after-work drinks, live music or a pre- and post-show stop. Its central location and range of spaces also make it a practical choice for groups and functions, with private event areas accommodating up to 550 guests.

The Ground Floor Dining Room focuses on seasonal, produce-led food designed for sharing. The menu includes house-made focaccia, cured meats, generous share plates and reworked pub classics, while the wine list is described as a small, carefully selected collection of easy-drinking bottles from producers near and far. On Friday and Saturday nights, a late-night menu runs from 10pm to midnight, with a Triple Cheese Toastie, Fried Chicken and Cheeseburger among the named options.

Upstairs, Level One is set up for relaxed drinks and socialising, with comfortable booths, an outdoor terrace and live music every weekend. The rooftop offers an open-air setting with city views, share-friendly plates and a selection of wines, beers and spirits. Its cocktail list takes a playful approach to familiar drinks, including an iced-vovo margarita, alongside other nostalgic classics given a Melbourne and New York-inspired twist.

Morris House also has a strong connection to the building’s history. The property at 114–122 Exhibition Street was built in 1924 and named after Edward E. Morris, a University of Melbourne professor and founder of the Victorian Charity Organisation Society. After later use by the Australian-American Association and as the European Bier Café, it reopened as Morris House in July 2023. Today, the Basement Comedy Club adds local and international comedy to the venue’s food, drinks and live entertainment offering. The comedy club can be reached via stairs or a wheelchair lift from Exhibition Street; the dining room, Level One Bar and rooftop are accessible by stairs only.