Melbourne Nightlife with the best cocktail bars, live music venues, and rooftop lounges. Explore Melbourne after dark like a local!

What makes Melbourne Nightlife truly legendary?

The nightlife entertainment options in Melbourne include both taking refuge in narrow alley bar dens alongside experiencing high-voltage music performances and watching metropolis panoramas from elevated bars. Every style of nightlife activity finds its perfect match within the city of Melbourne.

The guide lists the perfect locations to enjoy the best combination of craft cocktails with live indie bands and panoramic rooftop settings in Melbourne. The upcoming section showcases Melbourne’s thrilling evening hotspots.

Let’s dive into the city’s most exciting nightlife spots!

Best Bars in Melbourne for Cocktails & Unique Experiences

Melbourne has a great variety of high level bars, ranging from rustic underground speakeasies to grand sophisticated late night lounges. 

Eau De Vie (CBD) – Best for Classic & Experimental Cocktails

🍸A hidden cocktail bar known for world-class mixology, vintage décor, and an intimate setting.
🔥 Signature Drink: The ‘Smoky Rob Roy’ – served under a glass dome of smoke for a dramatic effect.
📍 Location: 1 Malthouse Ln, Melbourne VIC
📏 Distance from Melbourne CBD: 0.5 km (5-minute walk from Federation Square)

Beneath Driver Lane (CBD) – Underground Speakeasy Vibes

🎵 A blues-filled underground bar with a premium whiskey collection and expertly crafted cocktails.
🥃 Signature Drink: The Old-Fashioned, made with premium aged spirits.
📍 Location: 3 Driver Ln, Melbourne VIC
📏 Distance from Melbourne CBD: 0.3 km (4-minute walk from Flinders Street Station)

Bar Margaux (CBD) – Parisian-Inspired Late-Night Bar

🍷 A Parisian-style cocktail and wine bar, perfect for late-night drinks and gourmet snacks.
🍾 Signature Drink: French 75 cocktail and an impressive wine list.
📍 Location: 111 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC
📏 Distance from Melbourne CBD: 0.7 km (9-minute walk from Federation Square)

👉 Pro Tip: Most laneway bars in Melbourne have hidden entrances—look for small signs or ask locals for tips.

Best Live Music Venues in Melbourne Nightlife Scene

Melbourne leads Australia as the prime destination for live music where venues play rock, indie, jazz, and electronic music. These locations represent perfect places to enjoy live music.

The Corner Hotel (Richmond) – Iconic Live Music & Rock Vibes

🎸 One of Melbourne’s top live music venues hosts both national and international rock bands, particularly indie artists.
 🎤 Best For: Indie, rock, and alternative music lovers.
 📍 Location: 57 Swan St, Richmond VIC
 📏 Distance from Melbourne CBD: 3.5 km (10-minute train ride from Flinders Street Station to Richmond Station)

The Forum (CBD) – Melbourne’s Most Stunning Concert Venue

The Forum (CBD) Offers Stunning Concert Setting in the Heart of Melbourne

🏛 A heritage-listed theater features top-quality sound quality for all musical productions.
 🎶 Best For: Large-scale live music performances.
 📍 Location: 154 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC
 📏 Distance from Melbourne CBD: 0.2 km (2-minute walk from Federation Square)

Northcote Social Club (Northcote) – Best for Indie & Emerging Artists

Northcote Social Club stands out as the best place to find developing and independent musicians.

🎵 This small meeting spot hosts new independent artists who later become successful performers.
 🍻 Bonus: Features a great beer garden for pre-show drinks.
 📍 Location: 301 High St, Northcote VIC
 📏 Distance from Melbourne CBD: 6.5 km (15-minute train ride from Flinders Street to Northcote Station)

Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne for Scenic Views & Drinks

You can find Melbourne rooftop bars that offer exceptional views during summer nights while enjoying cocktails before sunset. These bars deliver the best rooftop experiences in Melbourne

Naked in the Sky (Fitzroy) – Rooftop with 360° City Views

🌇 A vibrant rooftop bar in Fitzroy with tapas, cocktails, and unbeatable sunset views.
 🍹 Signature Drink: The Basque Spritz – a unique take on the classic Aperol Spritz.
 📍 Location: 285 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC
 📏 Distance from Melbourne CBD: 4 km (10-minute tram ride on Route 11 from Parliament Station to Fitzroy)

Siglo (CBD) – Elegant Rooftop Overlooking Parliament House

The urban rooftop bar Siglo allows guests to admire Parliament House from its refined vantage point.

🥂 The late-night establishment on its rooftop offers premium wines, signature cocktails, and top-shelf cigars to customers.
 🍾 Best For: A romantic or upscale night out.
 📍 Location: 161 Spring St, Melbourne VIC
 📏 Distance from Melbourne CBD: 0.5 km (6-minute walk from Federation Square)

Good Heavens (CBD) – Fun, Colorful Rooftop with Party Vibes

🎉 Visitors enjoy a relaxed bleisure bar experience with great drinks and exciting music atop the roof.
 The bar serves frozen daiquiris in multiple seasonal flavors as its specialty cocktail.
 📍 Location: 79 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC
 📏 Distance from Melbourne CBD: 0.8 km (10-minute walk from Federation Square)

If you want a rooftop spot on weekends head there early to find a place.

Melbourne Nightlife Itinerary – Plan Your Perfect Night Out

Create Your Excellent Night Out Plan with Our Melbourne Nightlife Guide

🎶 Begin your evening visit to Beneath Driver Lane for drinks followed by live music at Northcote Social Club.
💖 Create a romantic evening with wine at Siglo then watch the night cityscape from Naked in the Sky.
🎉 Party Night begins at Bar Margaux with drinks before heading to The Forum for dancing and ending at Good Heavens for frozen daiquiris.

Melbourne Nightlife

The city of Melbourne features lively entertainment that mixes culture and colorful vitality for people of all moods. No matter how you dive into Melbourne Nightlife scene you will create lasting memories as its bars and clubs offer unique spaces for every type of enjoyer.

The nighttime experience in Melbourne keeps drawing both locals and visitors because they have many options to discover. Multiple fresh locations in entertainment open up simultaneously for visitors to enjoy.

The real magic of Melbourne Nightlife stems from the combination of relaxed vibes and active music lovers who keep the city active past sunset.

Tell us which of these venues you have visited. Please share the specific bar or location you prefer along with other remarkable Melbourne finds that deserve inclusion. Tell us about your preferred nightlife spots in the chat section below to continue sharing Melbourne bar experiences.

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