The best things to do at night in Melbourne

See Melbourne from a whole new light by going for an evening kayak along the Yarra River. Your journey starts just before sunset in Victoria Harbour, and continues upstream, under the Bolte Bridge and past Flinders Street Station. The evening ends at the boat landing area at the Rowing Sheds, directly across from Fed Square. No kayaking experience is necessary. Learn more here.

Enjoy an evening filled with jazz, soul, blues, and timeless classics as talented musicians and singers create an atmosphere that’s alive with rhythm and creativity. Each show offers a carefully curated setlist, spontaneous solos, and powerful vocals, ensuring no two performances are ever the same. Whether you love the golden age of jazz or a tribute to legends like Frank Sinatra, The Jazz Room is a celebration of music’s emotional energy and cultural legacy. Sit back, raise a glass, and let each note transport you for a truly memorable night in Melbourne.

It’s one of our favourite things to do at night in Melbourne for a reason! Melbourne is full of wonderful karaoke venues, from quick and easy coin booths to open mic spots. Find our list of recommendations here – and remember, a thrifty place like Kono Coin Karaoke can be one of the greatest cheap things to do in Melbourne at night.

Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, you’ll have a ton of fun ice skating around the rink at O’Brien Icehouse. They’re open every day, except Christmas, and close at 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. See their hours here.

Having a late one? Melbourne is full of some great bars for you to check out, including some awesome hidden ones. If you want to take in the twinkling city lights, head to some rooftop bars for dreamy evening views.

For something a little more spooky, take a ghost tour at Old Melbourne Gaol. Listen to dark tales and experience the chilling atmosphere of this historic space. This night tour runs from 6:30pm to 7:30pm or 8pm to 9pm on selected dates, and is recommended for visitors aged 16 and up. For something just as disturbing, but without the ghosts, you could also try the Hangman’s Night Tour.

Wondering what to do in Melbourne at night if you want a classy evening? For a more sedate, yet still unforgettable night out, check out Melbourne’s array of Candlelight concerts. They span a range of genres and artists from the classical to the contemporary (where else does Tchaikovsky rub shoulders with David Bowie?), and evening concerts start as early as 6:30pm or as late as 8:30pm, so you can fit them neatly into your evening. See the full list of upcoming concerts here.

At Archie Brothers, you’ll have a blast with heaps of indoor late-night activities all around Melbourne, including arcade games, bowling and laser tag. At some locations, they’ve also go an immersive free roam virtual reality experience known as Zero Latency. Some venues also have a range of wacky range of cocktails to keep the good times going. For locations and opening hours, click here.

Melbourne’s famed café culture doesn’t stop when the sun goes down, so if you’re the kind of person who takes their cappuccino after midday (sorry, Italians), you’ll find a wealth of cafes open late, armed with espresso machines.

Soar up Melbourne Skydeck and take in sparkling city views from the Southern Hemisphere’s highest observation deck. After gazing at the twinkling lights, stick around for virtual reality experiences, cocktails and a multi-course dinner at restaurant, Eureka 89.

Keep an eye on museums and galleries around Melbourne for some incredible after-dark experiences. Enjoy live music, pop-up bars and more at the regular NGV Friday Nights. Melbourne Museum also has their regular late night shindig, Nocturnal, with a different theme each month. ACMI has also been known to throw late-night events from time to time, such as evening film screenings or after-hours exhibition access, and you can see what’s coming up here.

As far as late night activities go, hitting one of the hottest nightclubs around Melbourne is a pretty classic plan. There’s so many different vibes and check out around town, so you’ll never get bored.

Race over to Luna Park and set your inner child free with heaps of thrilling rides and attractions. Play carnival games, ride The Great Scenic Railway, feel spooked by the Ghost Train and more. On select days, they have night sessions, running from 6pm to 10pm. See their opening hours here.

Putt your way through some seriously fun and nostalgic mini golf courses at Holey Moley. You’ll find unique themes at each location around Melbourne, so you’ll never get bored – plus, they’re perfect for night owls, since both the CBD and the Crown venues stay open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Enjoy some food while you’re there, and sip a cocktail to keep the good times going.

If you need to unwind, Soak Bathhouse is open until midnight from Friday to Sunday, and 10pm on all other nights. Go solo, or bring a friend, and relax in the mineral waters and sauna. Sunday nights are all about helping you get a good nights sleep, with low candlelight and herbal tea, while Wednesday evenings come with a peaceful live acoustic session.

For themed drinks with a side of theatre, check out the Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy, or the Serial Killer Speakeasy. Sip on four cocktails (or mocktails!) paired with four live stories.

Catch a movie at some great cinemas around Melbourne, including FoMo Cinemas in Brunswick East and Palace Penny Lane Cinema in Moonee Ponds. During the hotter months, you can also enjoy a movie session outdoors, at places like Moonlight Cinema in the Royal Botanic Gardens or Lido on the Roof in Hawthorn 

If you love gaming, you’ll love Fortress. This multi-level complex has all kinds of late-night activities for you to try, including board games, arcades and PC gaming. When you’re not playing, watch an esports event in the Alienware Arena, grab a drink from the bar, or enjoy a hearty meal in the fantasy-themed restaurant. Fortress Melbourne is open every day until late, and closes at midnight on Friday and 1am on Saturday.

With two venues around town, Ballers Clubhouse has lots of room for late-night activities in Melbourne. Play ping pong, darts and shuffleboard, sing a bit of karaoke, and enjoy a cheeky drink or two. Enjoy yummy food like pizza and tacos while you’re there, and keep a look out for some of their exciting pop-up events and experiences. The CBD venue keeps the party going until 1am on Friday, and 2am on Saturday, while the Carlton location is open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Melbourne has a thriving theatre scene, so if you’re looking for a some great late-night activities, definitely go and see a show. 

Head to The District Docklands and go on a space adventure at Saboteurs. Play with your friends inside converted shipping containers, complete tasks, and eject any suspicious imposters. This venue closes at 10pm each night. Get your tickets here.

Put the pedal to the metal and zoom around some exciting go kart tracks around Melbourne. Venues like Battlekart Melbourne and Le Mans Entertainment are open well into the evening, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights. See our list of recommendations here.

Head over to Oche and play a round of darts with your friends. There’s heaps of different games to try, and you can keep an eye on the score with the help of a digital display board. While you talk and play, nibble your way through food that can be eaten with one hand, and sip on their delicious range of cocktails. This venue closes at midnight on Friday and Saturday, 11pm on Thursday and 10pm on Wednesday and Sunday.

Stay out late and check out some of the hilarious comedy clubs around Melbourne. Think venues like The Comic’s Lounge, Club Voltaire, Lido Comedy, Basement Comedy Club and Kings of Comedy.

Mix things up by going axe throwing late at night around Melbourne. Maniax in the CBD is open till 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. They’ve also got venues in Knox and Abbotsford.

Grab a bat and break some items with the support of your friends in The Smash Room. This entertainment venue is the only place in Melbourne that allows groups to wreak havoc together all at once. It’s open until 9pm on Thursdays and Fridays. See more here.

In this interactive experience, you’ll smuggle liquor into prison and receive up to four personalised cocktails. Session times for Alcotraz vary, but you’ll find late night sessions like 10pm available on Saturdays. Get your tickets here.

Chill out late into the night and unwind with some games at one of the board game cafes or bars around Melbourne. See our recommendations here.

Embrace the wacky chaos at Hijinx Hotel. This immersive space looks like a hotel, but is really filled with different themed rooms, filled with games for you to conquer. After playing the games, indulge in a cocktail or two. The Chadstone venue closes at 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10pm every other day. Meanwhile, the QV venue closes at 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Step into Piccolo Teatro, an intimate theatre space that fits just 32 people. Grab a drink from the bar, and feel spellbound by performers just moments away. They generally have magic shows on Saturday and Sunday nights, with additional events throughout the year.

Step back into the decade of dial-up and VHS tapes at Playback96. There’s nine themed games for you to try, with music to match and signature cocktails to try. They’re open at Chadstone until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10pm on all other nights.

Friday nights aren’t just for hitting the bars, you know. Head to Mount Martha Observatory on the first Friday of each month to join the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society pick out planets, satellites, and stars from the firmament. It’s one of the most fun things to do at night in Melbourne for adults and kids; sessions kick off at 8pm and cost $5 for the little ones and $15 for adults – booking is essential though.

We love relaxing in the many spas and hot springs around Victoria, and if you’re looking for a late-night session not too far from Melbourne, head to the popular Peninsula Hot Springs. They offer moonlit bathing on Friday and Saturday nights from 10pm to 2am. Learn more here.