Nightlife · Melbourne · Australia
Melbourne nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Melbourne, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Melbourne's nightlife is built on small bars, live music and late kitchens. The CBD's laneway and rooftop bars draw after-work crowds, while Fitzroy, Collingwood, Brunswick and St Kilda keep live-music pubs and band rooms busy later into the night. The main areas are CBD laneways and rooftops, Fitzroy and Collingwood, Brunswick and Northcote, St Kilda and Chapel Street.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 5
- Stay near the action
- Fitzroy and Collingwood
- Local drink
- Specialty coffee and the 'magic'
Where to go out
CBD laneways and rooftops
Hidden cocktail bars in lanes and basements, and rooftop bars with skyline views around Flinders Lane and Swanston Street.
Fitzroy and Collingwood
Pubs, band rooms and bars along Brunswick, Gertrude and Smith Streets, with a creative, local crowd.
Brunswick and Northcote
Live music in pubs and small venues on Sydney Road and High Street, with a younger crowd.
St Kilda
Bayside bars and historic music venues such as the Esplanade Hotel and the Palais Theatre.
Chapel Street
Clubs and bars around Prahran, South Yarra and Windsor, busiest on Friday and Saturday nights.
Nightlife tips
- On Friday and Saturday nights the Night Network keeps trains, many trams and some buses running through the night.
- Carry photo ID; door staff check it routinely and may refuse entry without it.
- Look up gig listings before you go out; many pubs host local bands most nights of the week.
Evening sights
Landmark · Richmond
Melbourne Cricket Ground
If you are in town between March and September, go to an AFL game: the crowd teaches you more about Melbourne than any tour.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- After dark
Waterfront · St Kilda
St Kilda foreshore and pier
Arrive around dusk to see the little penguins return to the breakwater; keep your voice down and never use a camera flash.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- After dark
- Couples
- Nature
Viewpoint · Southbank
Melbourne Skydeck
Arrive about an hour before sunset to see the city in daylight and again as the lights come on.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Views
- After dark
- Couples
Neighbourhood · Fitzroy
Brunswick Street and Fitzroy
Walk from Gertrude Street up Brunswick Street, then cut across to Smith Street in Collingwood for dinner.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Art
- Food
- After dark
Street · Melbourne CBD
Chinatown
Come hungry in the evening, when the lanes off Little Bourke Street fill with diners and neon.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- History
- After dark
- Free
What to drink
- Specialty coffee and the 'magic' — Melbourne's cafés take coffee seriously: single-origin espresso, filter brews and flat whites from trained baristas are standard even in tiny laneway bars. Many locals order a 'magic', a double ristretto topped with steamed milk.
- Yarra Valley wine — The cool-climate Yarra Valley, about an hour east of the city, is known for Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and sparkling wine, and Melbourne wine lists favour Victorian producers.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. January has the warmest evenings, with lows around 15°C (59°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 20:44 | 15°C (59°F) | 5 |
| April | About 17:54 | 12°C (54°F) | 7 |
| July | About 17:20 | 7°C (45°F) | 10 |
| October | About 19:37 | 10°C (50°F) | 9 |
Getting home late
- Tram — Listen for the announcement as the tram leaves the Free Tram Zone; you need a valid fare beyond it.
- Walking — The CBD grid is compact and flat, and the Yarra River paths link Federation Square, Southbank, the Royal Botanic Gardens and the sports precinct on foot.
- Bus — Buses cover routes the trams miss, and SkyBus express coaches link the airport with Southern Cross Station.
- Ride-hailing — Rideshare apps and taxis are widely available, and are the practical choice late at night or for the airport with heavy luggage.
Late-night bites
- Dim sim — South Melbourne Market, where the dim sims are a local institution, plus fish-and-chip shops and sports grounds.
- Souvlaki — The Greek precinct on Lonsdale Street in the CBD, Eaton Mall in Oakleigh, and late-night shops across the inner suburbs.
Staying safe at night
Melbourne is generally safe for visitors. Watch for trams and cyclists when crossing roads, keep an eye on belongings around Flinders Street Station and in crowds, and be ready for sudden weather changes and strong summer UV. On extreme-heat days, follow official advice and stay hydrated.
- Emergency number
- 000 (police, fire, ambulance); 112 also works from mobiles
Where to stay for nightlife
$$ · Best for nightlife, food lovers, shopping and solo travellers
Fitzroy and Collingwood
Melbourne's first suburb is now known for independent shops, cafés and bars, with Brunswick Street, Gertrude Street and Smith Street at its core. Collingwood next door has converted warehouses, breweries and the Abbotsford Convent arts precinct nearby. Trams run down Brunswick and Smith Streets to the CBD in about 15 minutes.
- Good
- Some of Melbourne's best bars and cafés; Street art on every side street; Short tram ride to the CBD
- Watch out
- Few hotels; mostly apartments and small guesthouses; Noisy on Friday and Saturday nights
- Nearby
- Brunswick Street, Gertrude Street, Smith Street, Carlton Gardens
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Melbourne?
CBD laneways and rooftops, Fitzroy and Collingwood and Brunswick and Northcote. Hidden cocktail bars in lanes and basements, and rooftop bars with skyline views around Flinders Lane and Swanston Street.
+Which area of Melbourne is best for nightlife?
Fitzroy and Collingwood: Street art, vintage shops and bars along Brunswick, Gertrude and Smith Streets.