After Dark

Melbourne has turned serving a drink into an art form, with thousands of bars located in laneways, basements and lofts throughout the city. Melbourne's watering holes come in a variety of guises - from gilt edged and red velvet luxury, to houses of retro cool, cosy taverns, hot nightclubs and quiet bars with city views.

Hidden Bars

Challenge your navigation skills - seek a hidden bar, such as Society Bar or Comme, in a city laneway and order a cocktail, meet friends or soak up the sounds of the resident DJ. Order a cocktail at Tony Starr's Kitten Club, stick with the sparkling at the Champagne Lounge, choose a sofa at the Gin Palace, make your mark at Mink, Melbourne's exclusive vodka bar, or enjoy the wine at the Melbourne Supper Club Bar.

Friendly Pubs

If beer is your drink, ask for a local brew at a welcoming local pub. Good food, musical entertainment, quiz nights and friendly crowds can be found at pubs around the edges of the city in Windsor, South Melbourne, Richmond and Fitzroy. Transport at Federation Square is a great place to meet friends and offers great views of the city and the Yarra from the outdoor terrace.

Rooftop

Take the lift up to overlook Swanston Street, refuel on Thai food, and choose a brew from the long list of imported and tap beers at Cookie. Madame Brussels is a public house in the CBD with an expansive outdoor terrace and the trappings of an English country setting.

Open Air

Located in the grounds of the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind on St Kilda Road, Belgian Beer Café Bluestone has dozens of Belgian beers on tap as well as traditional Belgian snacks. Find a table under the elms in the expansive beer garden. Alternatively, try Riverland - a café by day, a bar by night, Riverland overlooks the Yarra and along to Birrarung Marr. Located at Federation Wharf, Riverland is housed under Federation Square and has expansive decks.

The Music Scene

The local live music scene is dynamic and supported by appreciative audiences who line up every night to see their favourite acts at city venues and pubs.

Jazz fans head to Manchester Lane and other venues tucked into laneways in the city centre. Dance fans head out to Prahran, South Yarra, St Kilda and Richmond for clubs specialising in techno, top 40, 80s revival, punk, house, acid jazz and more.

Head to Alumbra for some of the city's favourite house DJs, or sip a cocktail against a stunning backdrop of city lights at Blue Diamond.