to Melbourne's nightclubs & pubs
(Updated 22.02.06)
Melbourne has more nightclubs and pubs, and more capacity, per head of population than any other city in the world. I have been just about everywhere searching for a city that it compares to, but nowhere else can match it. New York isn't even close. No matter what your taste in music is, no matter what your age, or how you want to dress, you will find it in Melbourne. There is also a fair chance you will find it any night of the week, and usually right the way through to day-break and even beyond.
In Melbourne, the legal drinking age is 18. As such, the crowds are younger than in many other parts of the world, but if you know where to look, you will find something catering for your age group too.
Many cities have no clubs in the downtown or city area. You often have to travel out to somewhere to find a club area. Melbourne is a little different. There are venues scattered throughout the city, but also some areas that are hot-spots, but even decent venues out in the suburbs. A good public transport network makes most fairly easy to get to.
City
The city area has everything from house to RnB to jazz to techno to retro and anything else you can think of. The area with the most clubs is around King St. Some of these clubs have dubious reputations, but some are okay. If you are looking for a classier lounge bar, try clubs like Amber Lounge on Lonsdale St between Elizabeth St and Queen St. There are also a few trendy bars at the top of Bourke St.
There are a few generally good clubs on Flinders Lane between Exhibition and Russel St. Velour is a little less mainstream, and Icon is very good fun. If you are younger and want something mainstream, don't mess around, just go straight to Metro at the Parliament end of Bourke St (hopefully it will be open for the Commonwealth Games after renovations). It is one of the world's greatest venues.
Melbourne generally is crawling with restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs. Its rare to walk a block without finding a bar.
Casino / Southbank / Docklands 3km South of CBD
The casino is located on Southbank. Within the casino there are three pretty good clubs. Mercury Lounge is known for bands, and Melbourne's best RnB night on Sundays. Club Odeon is a more mature venue. Next Blue is a newer club, stamping itself with a good reputation for specific taste dance music.
There are numerous new lounge bars around Southbank and Docklands. There will be many more coming in the next few years.
Chapel St 10km South East of CBD
Chapel St is all restaurants, bars, cafes, clubs, and fashion. It is the place to be seen, especially on a warm summer night. Whether you are looking for a relaxed Irish pub, a classy lounge bar, pumping dance music, or just about anything else, you will find it on Chapel St. The beer garden at Bridie O'Rielly's and the dancefloor at Frostbites are amongst my favourites. It is very trendy, and a real experience.
South Melbourne / Albert Park 5km South of CBD
South Melbourne is home to some of the world's great house and techno DJs. Seven, on Albert Rd, is probably the ultimate for great DJs, and a pumping venue. Not huge, but world class. Then you have Motel, which is one of Melbourne's more exclusive venues. This is where celebrities and models can be found in a loungy setting with popular dance music.
For something more mainstream, try Marquee. South Melbourne also has a number of very good bars and pubs.
Lygon St, Carlton 5-10km North of CBD
This is the Little Italy of Melbourne. It is mostly focused on restaurants, but you will find the odd bar and club hidden away. I personally don't spend much time in Lygon St, but it is a great place to grab a bite to eat before you hit the city clubs.
Brunswick St, Fitzroy 5-10km North of CBD
Brunswick St is similar to Lygon St, in many respects, but it is more bohemian. There are tons of restaurants and bars, but they are more likely to play jazz, and serve vegetarian foods.
StKilda 10-15km South of CBD
StKilda is similar to Brunswick St, but with more variety. Fitzroy St has a range of pubs, bars, and restaurants, from English style pubs to the Prince of Wales' house tunes, and the weird and wonderful range of alternative offered at the Espy. A little further on is the world home of retro, Twister (a real party venue), and then there are more restaurants of every type.
Suburbs
Many of Melbourne's greatest venues are in the outer suburbs, about 35km outside the CBD. Furnace is a genuine superclub in size (huge on Fridays), but is mainstream/suburban in music style.
Hawthorn (10km East) is home to a couple of decent venues in Casey's, Room 680 and The Hawthorn.
Frankston (30km South) is home to the legendary 21st Century Danceclub, with its huge revolving dancefloor. This is a really great looking venue, with three rooms, playing commercial dance, top 40, house, classics, techno and rock, including a live band.
Ringwood (30km East) also has three or four decent clubs. Most other suburbs have a popular local hang-out.
Gay clubs
There are a few of these around Melbourne, but not venues we know really well. Maybe someone out there would like to review these clubs for us. Most of the gay clubs seem to be around Commercial Rd Prahran, just near Chapel St.
Our recommendations night by night
Sunday: Star Bar (South Melb)
Monday: Head to the Casino clubs
Tuesday: Head to Hawthorn for Caseys and Room
Wednesday: Head to the Edgy in Cheltenham
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: Take your pick
If you're keen for nightlife, definitely aim for Melbourne. It leaves the vast majority of the world for dead.
Ben Clissold
Other MAX MOOSE nightclub tourist guides
Canberra
Perth
Tasmania
Europe
United States
