10 Best Melbourne Nightlife

The Melbourne Skydeck is a great spot to experience the city lights after dark. At 285 meters above sea level, this observation deck is recognized as one of the highest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. Situated in the city center on the 88th floor of the Eureka Tower, this soaring perspective makes it easy to enjoy many of Melbourne’s top landmarks from a distance.

For those looking to make things even more extreme, you’re invited to step onto ‘The Edge’, a glass cube that extends 3 meters from the side of the building, providing a dramatic viewpoint like no other. Afterward, you can head upstairs to Eureka 89 for high-quality wine and cocktails in a sleek bar high above the surrounding cityscape.

Fitzroy is one of the coolest suburb in Melbourne, renowned for its thriving creative community, high-end shopping, and eclectic dining. This part of the inner north provides a snapshot of everything trendy about the city, with eccentric bars and historic pubs hidden around virtually every street corner.

Gertrude Street is where you can discover many of Melbourne’s most fashionable watering holes, with venues like The Everleigh and Marion Wine Bar serving outstanding cocktails and vino. The adjoining hotspot of Brunswick Street is pretty much the same, with Naked for Satan’s tapas menu and rooftop bar offering a memorable after-dinner experience.

Prahran features a hotbed of hip happenings, with Melbourne's storied past culminating with modern sensibilities to create a colorful inner-suburban destination. Set between stylish neighborhoods South Yarra and Windsor, there’s no shortage of late-night clubs, restaurants, and stores to explore in the evening.

Lovers of all things nightlife will want to stop at Greville Street, where popular cocktail bars and pubs such as White Oaks Saloon, Pawn & Co, and College Lawn Hotel call home. Just around the corner, Chapel Street is even more upbeat, thanks to nightclubs like Revolver Upstairs and Lucky Coq.

The Princess Theatre is where passionate fans of the stage can catch a world-class performance in Melbourne. Rebuilt in 1886 with a design by influential local architect William Pitt, it was conceived as a state-of-the-art theater for the era, featuring electric lighting and a sliding ceiling that opened on hot summer nights.

Today, the Princess Theatre remains one of Melbourne’s premier cultural destinations. Major musical productions like Beauty and the Beast, Mamma Mia!, The Book of Mormon, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child have enjoyed extensive sold-out runs at this 1452-seat cultural venue.

Luna Park is Melbourne’s iconic theme park, having provided locals and visitors with unmatched fun since it first opened up its famous entrance in 1910. Set along the foreshore in the laidback suburb of St Kilda, this is a great place to spend a few hours soaking up a myriad of unique carnival rides and experiences.

Luna Park’s heritage-listed carousel is one of the site’s standout features, with 6,000 lights bringing this intricately decorated ride to life. The Great Scenic Railroad Roller Coaster is another notable ride. Its wooden track rises to 16 meters, providing stellar nighttime views of the nearby beachfront.

The Southbank Promenade offers an excellent vantage point to experience Melbourne's striking skyline reflecting off the Yarra River. Surrounded by top-notch dining and cultural venues, a post-feast evening stroll along this flourishing promenade rounds out a delicious meal in style.

For a fancy nightcap, Ponyfish Island and Arbory Afloat present great beverages and upbeat tunes overlooking the water. For even more late-night fun, you can head to Crown Casino to hit the gaming floors, go bowling, or even play mini-golf. Don’t miss the soaring fireball display that shoots high above the Southbank Promenade outside the casino every night.

Queen Victoria Market isn’t just a vibrant space when the sun’s out in Melbourne. Each year, the massive venue on the edge of the CBD comes alive for seasonal summer night market editions, with fresh food and shopping complemented by live music, theatrical performances, and after-dark fun.

Founded in 1878, Queen Victoria Market remains one of the city’s major attractions, with approximately 10 million visitors arriving to explore the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere annually. Head along after dinner to meet local legends, roam pop-up bars, and browse over 125 stalls.

NGV Friday Nights is a seasonal event that takes place between mid-December and mid-April. Held at the National Gallery of Victoria, where you can explore its groundbreaking exhibitions alongside live DJs, pop-up bars, and themed spaces inspired by the works on display.

With a selection of much-loved local and international acts providing the soundtrack to this seasonal event, it’s a great way to get in touch with Melbourne’s cultural side during your visit. NGV Friday Nights takes place in the lively neighborhood of Southbank just outside the CBD, so there’s an incredible variety of dining options on nearby streets.

Crown Casino Melbourne is one of Australia’s most famous entertainment venues, featuring an enormous complex that includes 3 luxury hotels, dozens of restaurants, and shopping venues. Set along the stunning Southbank Promenade, it's a wonderful after-dinner destination for those looking to see a different side of the city. 

If you're not a fan of gambling, you can enjoy bowling, laser tag and arcade games at Kingpin, or mini-golf at Holey Moley Golf Club. Crown Casino also has an incredible variety of activities, nightclubs, theater shows, and live music. 

Moonlight Cinema presents fans of the silver screen with a fascinating outdoor viewing experience in Melbourne. Set within the serene Royal Botanic Gardens, flanked by the city’s skyscrapers lighting up the night sky, you can lay back on a picnic rug or beanbag and catch the latest blockbuster movies.

Held over the summer months, screenings begin as the sun dips below the horizon, with the surrounding birdlife chirping in the background. While onsite food vans and bars provide guests with sumptuous snacks and beverages, you can bring a picnic spread to enjoy on Moonlight Cinema’s hillside lawn.