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

Sea Shanties and Folk Songs
Until

Sea Shanties and Folk Songs

Join this free weekly celebration of rollicking and spirited singing.

Holi Festival Melbourne

Holi Festival Melbourne

Enjoy the Holi Festival of Colours and be immersed in culture, music, dance, food and drinks.

Free Jazz Arvo at the Motley Bauhaus
Until

Free Jazz Arvo at the Motley Bauhaus

Enjoy a free afternoon of fantastic jazz and tasty tipples at this Carlton arts hub.

Laugh Lab at La La Land
Until

Laugh Lab at La La Land

Come watch Melbourne's finest up and coming comedians perform in the cosiest cocktail bar in town.

Library Cinema at narrm ngarrgu
Until

Library Cinema at narrm ngarrgu

Each month, watch a movie on the big screen, including contemporary, classic and documentary films.

Eid at Fed Square

Eid at Fed Square

Mark the biggest celebration in the Islamic calendar with a unique live music event.

Poetry Open Mic
Until

Poetry Open Mic

Come along to the Motley Bauhaus every Wednesday night to wax poetic.

Strum and Sing Ukulele Group
Until

Strum and Sing Ukulele Group

A weekly free event for ukulele players and singers, for seasoned strummers or beginners.

Jennifer Salisbury Duo
Until

Jennifer Salisbury Duo

A jazz guitar / vocal duo with a shared love of classic melodies.

Hayley Legg

Hayley Legg

Powerhouse guitarist Hayley Legg electrifies Miranda with crowd-pleasing acoustic magic.

Little Paul

Little Paul

Little Paul brings raw, soulful acoustic magic to Miranda.

Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival

Buddha's Day and Multicultural Festival

Explore a Lotus Sanctuary, Mindfulness Forest and Children's Corner in the heart of Melbourne.

Blak Ink: Poetic Power with Laniyuk and Evelyn Araluen

Blak Ink: Poetic Power with Laniyuk and Evelyn Araluen

Come along for some powerful poetry from First Nations writers, Laniyuk and Evelyn Araluen.

Melbourne Conversations: Future Proofing Green Spaces

Melbourne Conversations: Future Proofing Green Spaces

Explore the future of Melbourne’s green spaces at Laak Boorndap with experts in design and ecology.

Free Jazz Jam – Open-Mic
Until

Free Jazz Jam – Open-Mic

Join a free jazz jam hosted by Frankie McNulty.

New to Melbourne Language Exchange
Until

New to Melbourne Language Exchange

Practise a new language, and make new friends over cheap food and drink.

Theatre & shows

Beetlejuice The Musical

Beetlejuice The Musical

The musical to give Melbourne the fright of its life in 2025.

Disney's Beauty and the Beast the Musical
Until

Disney's Beauty and the Beast the Musical

Experience Disney's new enchanting musical, Beauty and the Beast.

Jesus Christ Superstar
Until

Jesus Christ Superstar

Experience a revived production of this iconic and unmissable musical.

Annie

Annie

A little hero for a big tomorrow.

Carnival of Karactors
Until

Carnival of Karactors

A monthly cabaret show featuring sexy and silly circus artists, comedians and magic performers.

Kings of Comedy: Underground, Uncensored, Unrivalled
Until

Kings of Comedy: Underground, Uncensored, Unrivalled

Enjoy stand-up comedy from future stars and celebrity guest headliners.

Coriolanus

Coriolanus

Bell Shakespeare presents one of Shakespeare's most exhilarating works.

The Removalists
Until

The Removalists

David Williamson’s play is still as provocative and relevant as it was at its debut.

Rebecca

Rebecca

Step into the haunting world of Daphne du Maurier’s classic 1938 novel.

Legends (of the Golden Arches)

Legends (of the Golden Arches)

An exhilarating examination of the Chinese cultural experience and the enduring power of friendship.

Mother Play

Mother Play

Expansive yet intimate drama charting the personal upheavals of one family starring Sigrid Thornton.

Henry 5

Henry 5

Bell Shakespeare presents one of the most famous war plays of all time.

The Black Woman of Gippsland

The Black Woman of Gippsland

A story of Victoria’s dark past, told as a thrilling modern mystery.

Destiny

Destiny

This family drama serves as a potent reminder that the past is always with us.

The Wrong Gods

The Wrong Gods

This new work tells a tale of community, family and freedom in the face of impending globalisation.

Dying: A Memoir

Dying: A Memoir

Equally moving and hilarious, Cory Taylor’s last work has been adapted by Benjamin Law.

More evening events to book right now

NGV Friday Nights: Yayoi Kusama
Until

NGV Friday Nights: Yayoi Kusama

Experience Australia's largest Yayoi Kusama exhibition in an exclusive after-hours viewing.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Get ready to giggle at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival!

RISING

RISING

Get ready for 12 days of new art, music, and performance in Naarm/Melbourne.

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.

Ghosts? What Ghosts! Night Tour

Ghosts? What Ghosts! Night Tour

Brace yourself for bone-strumming tales of unexplained sights after dark.

Moonlight Cinema
Until

Moonlight Cinema

Australia’s favourite outdoor cinema is back for another season under the stars.

YIRRAMBOI Festival

YIRRAMBOI Festival

Hosting 400+ First Nations creatives across 180 performances and activating over 40 venues.

Autumn Sunset Cocktails at Walsh Street

Autumn Sunset Cocktails at Walsh Street

Open the door to Robin Boyd’s iconic Walsh Street residence after-hours for Autumn Sunset Cocktails.

Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise

Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise

Enjoy a relaxing three-hour Yarra River dinner cruise.

Kayak Melbourne

Kayak Melbourne

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

Comfort Food Cabaret: A Mid-century Menu

Comfort Food Cabaret: A Mid-century Menu

Step into Robin Boyd's iconic home for a cocktail, a tasting menu and a themed cabaret performance.

Polly Woodside Open Day
Until

Polly Woodside Open Day

Climb aboard and roam the decks of one of Australia’s last surviving 19th-century tall ships.

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 birthdays, anniversaries or just because.

Melbourne's best rooftop bars

Melbourne's best rooftop bars

Schedule in a rooftop sesh at Morris House, Good Heavens, Fable, Ocean 12 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.

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 Hotel

The Carlton Hotel

Offers a rooftop bar, dining, a cocktail bar and nightclub, right in the heart of the city.

Johnny's Green Room

Johnny's Green Room

A rooftop bar above King & Godfree with great views, tunes and Italian inspired food and drinks.

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 Tue 18 Mar 2025

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