From hidden laneway events to epic pop-ups, Melbourne gets lit once the lights go out. Put these events and adventures in your diary for the ultimate night out.

Free night-time fun

Big Games Night Out

Big Games Night Out

Enjoy a free night of games, live music, a cosplay parade, dance sessions and more.

Arriba Melbourne Mexican Festival

Arriba Melbourne Mexican Festival

A vibrant Mexican extravaganza of food and music in the heart of the city.

Oktoberfest at Hofbräuhaus
Until

Oktoberfest at Hofbräuhaus

Experience Melbourne's oldest Oktoberfest celebration in the heart of Chinatown at Hofbrauhaus.

Club Fringe: Festival Hub Opening Party

Club Fringe: Festival Hub Opening Party

Celebrate the Festival Hub opening night with a Fringe-licious party.

Theatre & musicals

Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Until

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Moulin Rouge! The Musical returns to Melbourne.

Mamma Mia! The Musical

Mamma Mia! The Musical

The smash hit phenomenon returns for an ultimate night of music, love, laughter and friendship.

Grease the Musical

Grease the Musical

Grease returns to the Australian stage in a new, multi-million dollar live production.

La Cage Aux Folles

La Cage Aux Folles

Enjoy this all singing, all dancing, all laughing journey to the night life of St Tropez.

Carnival of Karactors
Until

Carnival of Karactors

A rotating cast of steamy, sexy and silly circus artists, comedians and burlesque performers.

More evening events to book right now

Twice: Ready to Be

Twice: Ready to Be

See international K-Pop sensations Twice play an exclusive stadium show in Melbourne.

Hour of the Wolf

Hour of the Wolf

Be part of Melbourne's latest large-scale immersive theatre mystery experience.

NGV Friday Nights
Until

NGV Friday Nights

NGV Friday Nights returns with a kaleidoscope of colour this winter.

Nocturnal: Museum After Dark
Until

Nocturnal: Museum After Dark

Step into a world of wonder at an after-hours Melbourne Museum experience just for adults.

Melbourne Fringe Festival

Melbourne Fringe Festival

Melbourne Fringe Festival is Victoria's largest independent arts festival.

THE LUME Melbourne
Until

THE LUME Melbourne

Immerse yourself in Connection – breathtaking stories through First Nations art and music.

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill

Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill

Zahra Newman stars as Billie Holiday in an extraordinary showcase of acting and vocal mastery.

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic performs Handel's Messiah

Royal Melbourne Philharmonic performs Handel's Messiah

Don't miss this world record performance of Handel's Messiah.

Melbourne's best drag shows and queer-friendly venues

Melbourne's best drag shows and queer-friendly venues

Find drag bingo, burlesque life drawing, cabaret and the best queer-friendly venues in Melbourne.

Kayak Melbourne

Kayak Melbourne

Guided paddling tours through Melbourne along the Yarra River and Victoria Harbour.

Lo-Fi Beats Lounge
Until

Lo-Fi Beats Lounge

The legendary lo-fi hip-hop night returns to the basement.

Sea Shanties and Folk Songs
Until

Sea Shanties and Folk Songs

Join this weekly celebration of rollicking and spirited singing.

Charlie Puth: The Charlie Live Experience

Charlie Puth: The Charlie Live Experience

Charlie Puth brings his live experience to Melbourne this October.

Manifesto

Manifesto

An electrifying performance with nine dancers and nine drummers working in unison.

Hangman's Night Tour
Until

Hangman's Night Tour

Let the hangman guide you through the Gaol, with no stone left unturned.

Festival Park

Festival Park

Visit Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Market to experience your Fringe fantasy.

Where to eat and drink after dark

The ultimate guide to late-night dining in Melbourne

The ultimate guide to late-night dining in Melbourne

These late-night venues and iconic restaurants are best visited well after dark.

The best pre- and post-theatre dining in Melbourne

The best pre- and post-theatre dining in Melbourne

Fuel up before a big show or extend your city visit at these local eateries.

Melbourne’s most romantic date-night restaurants

Melbourne’s most romantic date-night restaurants

Find the best restaurants to book for Valentine's Day, anniversaries or just because.

Melbourne's best rooftop bars

Melbourne's best rooftop bars

Schedule in a summer sesh at QT rooftop, Good Heavens, Fable, Transit and more.

Melbourne's best cafes that open late

Melbourne's best cafes that open late

These Melbourne cafes are open late for evening coffee runs.

After dark dessert bars

After dark dessert bars

Discover Melbourne's best cakes, cocktails and sweet treats after the lights go down.

The best first date bars in Melbourne

The best first date bars in Melbourne

These cute hidden gems and fun date-night spots will give you something to talk about. 

Unique first date ideas in Melbourne

Unique first date ideas in Melbourne

Ban boring dates with these cute night spots and fun activities for two.

The best late-night bars and music venues in Melbourne

The best late-night bars and music venues in Melbourne

Find intimate vinyl bars, iconic band rooms and live music bars open late.

Curious

Curious

Curious pairs bold concoctions with a menu of small bites and sharing plates.

Stalactites Restaurant

Stalactites Restaurant

One of Melbourne’s longest established and best-known Greek restaurants.

Bar Margaux

Bar Margaux

Late night bar and brasserie serving cocktails, wine and French comfort food.

Waiters Restaurant

Waiters Restaurant

Serving unfussy, home-style Italian food to a late-night crowd since 1947.

Gimlet at Cavendish House

Gimlet at Cavendish House

An elegant cocktail bar and dining room from renowned chef Andrew McConnell.

Bodega Underground

Bodega Underground

Bodega is a late night taqueria and underground mezcaleria in the basement of the Crossley Hotel.

Dragon Hot Pot

Dragon Hot Pot

Choose your base stock, then pick from over 100 fresh ingredients to make your own unique hotpot.

The George on Collins

The George on Collins

An up-market basement venue and eatery within the historic Georges building.

The Carlton Club Hotel

The Carlton Club Hotel

The Carlton Hotel - the Carlton Club - is a mirage in the heart of Melbourne.

Johnny's Green Room

Johnny's Green Room

Rooftop bar above King & Godfree. Note: temporarily closed for renovations, reopening in summer.

Flower Drum Restaurant

Flower Drum Restaurant

An iconic upscale Cantonese restaurant serving delicious food.

Nightlife

Nightlife

Dance the night away, sip cocktails in a stylish bar or catch some live music.​

Last updated on Thu 21 Sep 2023

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