Destinations After Dark

Melbourne's bars turn serving a drink into an art form. There are thousands of unique bars located in laneways, basements and on rooftops throughout the city.

Hidden Bars

Set out to explore Melbourne's laneways and discover one of the city's eclectic bars for a memorable evening. Meet up with friends or take in the sounds of the resident DJ. Look closely and then look again for the unmarked entry to Von Haus, a tiny bar tucked away on Crossley Street. Climb the wooden staircase to Seamstress for some cool Asian food and a cocktail or two on the edge of Chinatown. RuCO is tucked away in the newly refurbished 5-star Grand Hyatt on Russell Street. Imposing sculptures loom over the bar, where you can choose from classic cocktails as well as an impressive list of single malt whiskeys and cognacs and wine.

Friendly Pubs

Good food and music, fun quiz nights and friendly crowds can be found at pubs around the edges of the city in Windsor, South Melbourne, Richmond and Fitzroy. If beer is your drink, there are many local brews to try. At the Little Creatures Dining Hall in the heart of Fitzroy, Little Creatures beers and Pipsqueak Cider are on tap as well as a selection of wines and delicious food.

Rooftop

Step off Spring Street and climb several flights of stairs to Siglo, a rooftop salon bar with great views. The Red Hummingbird has relaunched its rooftop bar with a new Bali-style pagoda designed for all seasons. Through the red door and up several flights of stairs, the Order of Melbourne is a loft-style bar that serves fabulous cocktails.

Open Air

Claim a deckchair six storeys up at the Curtin House Rooftop Cinema and enjoy the relaxed backyard feel of this intimate space where they offer the latest film releases and classic flicks, as well as cool drinks and crepes. Between December and March, Melbourne's many film buffs gather on the sweeping lawns of the Royal Botanic Gardens for the Fiesta Moonlight Cinema.

The Music Scene

Melbourne's dynamic local live music scene is supported by appreciative audiences who line up every night of the week to see their favourite bands at city venues and pubs. The Melbourne International Jazz Festival is an annual event featuring great musicians from around the world. Dance fans head out to clubs in Prahran, South Yarra, St Kilda and Richmond.

Each February the St Jerome's Laneway Festival draws music lovers to Caledonian Lane in the CBD for a feast of contemporary sounds. Rock pilgrims make a beeline for AC/DC Lane, named for the band's famous performance of It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll) along nearby Swanston Street.