10 reasons to leave work on time

Find the best happy hour offers

Grab a slice of pizza for $5 and wash it down with a $9 pint at Heartbreaker. The Russell Street fave is slinging cheapskate specials from 5pm to 9pm every weekday. Keen to catch a post-work sunset? Head up to Fleet Rooftop Bar for stunning Yarra river views and $12 mini martinis.

Watch rare screenings at ACMI

Take a night off streaming and see what's on at ACMI Cinemas. Melbourne's museum of images screens classic films all throughout the work week. Think 4K restorations, 35mm film screenings and curated retrospectives. Check out the full schedule.

Win big at trivia night  

Get your team together and prepare to smash out a night of trivia at Springrock every Wednesday at 7pm. Everyone's a winner at this regular event with first and second place going home with generous pub vouchers. Even the losers go home with a drinks card prize! Then there are a bunch of epic deals too like $20 parmas, $10 pints and $8 wines.

Enjoy a weekday dinner deal  

Have a night off from cooking at home with a weekday dinner in the city. Settle in at Disuko's omakase bar for the $55 luxe handroll experience. Over at Bar Bouni you'll find a Thursday night steak deal for $29.90 including a drink and live music. Or check out Brunetti Classico's $29 pasta and wine special available Monday to Thursday between 5pm and 8pm.

Get $7 movie tickets on Mondays

If you finish a little early on Mondays, make a beeline to Cinema Nova. All tickets are $7 before 4pm, so you can catch the latest award-winning flicks on the cheap. Can't get out before 4pm? Evening sessions clock in at just $11 a ticket. Choose a later session and grab a happy hour drink in the Nova Bar from 4pm to 6pm.

Bookend your week with cheap comedy

One of Melbourne's longest running spots is still going strong at Spleen Bar, every Monday night. See the likes of Ross Noble, Nina Oyama, Alex Ward, Ben Russell and more for just $12. Over at the Cooper's Inn, a standing Friday night sesh of fresh acts and familiar faces will set you back a mere $22. Or make your way to Spleen Bar on Tuesdays for the $15 comedy night.

Geek out over pop culture trivia

Book the crew in for Monday night trivia at Fortress Melbourne, featuring fun factoids and bizarre brainteasers to keep you on your toes. Book a free table from 6pm for 2 to 8 people. Or head down on board game Wednesday to pick from a huge selection of titles. Hire a board game for $15 or bring a favourite from home and play in The Tavern for free.

Score last-minute live show deals 

Halftix has daily discounted tickets for shows across the city. So you could be in for an evening of comedy or theatre, ballet or a musical. Get in before they close at 5pm on weekdays (or 2pm on Mondays) and pick up cheap entry to events at the Comedy Theatre, The Capitol and more. Offers change every day and there's always something new to discover.

Learn an instrument at The Music Gym

Time for a new hobby? Book in for a 45-minute after-work class at The Music Gym. Try group lessons in guitar, piano or voice that end with a jam. Numbers are limited to eight but you can book private lessons if you’re shy. Give it a go with a single one-off lesson or take the plunge and sign up for an 8 week beginner course. No need to drag your axe into town, as all instruments are provided.

Take the ultimate Melbourne spin class

Is your head spinning with spreadsheets and schedules when you leave the office? To clear your head, get your activewear on and get down to Bodhi and Ride. Marrying mindfulness and an endorphin-filled bike workout, this spin class will refresh body and soul. With the lights dimmed and R&B classics blasting, the 45 minutes of cycling fun will go by in a breeze.