5pm arrives, the laptop shuts, and the glorious freedom of the weeknight beckons. But rather than joining the commuter crush and losing yourself in Channel 10, why not make your evenings special? Our guide to the best after-work activities in Melbourne will help you seize the night, whether you’re looking to unwind and let go of the stresses of the workday, or whether you’ve saved your energy for a memorable night out. After all, that spreadsheet can always wait until the morning…
Oh, and if you’re an employer looking for a new company perk, why not grab some Fever gift cards to help your team unwind after work?
Our pick of the best after-work activities around town
1. Get an after-hours cultural fix at late night gallery and museum events
Melbourne’s buzzing arts and culture scene isn’t just for the weekends, especially when the city’s museums are open late for nocturnal culture-seekers. For instance, the dates for this winter’s NGV Friday Nights have already been announced, whilst Melbourne Museum’s popular Nocturnal events take place on the second Thursday of every month, with a different theme each time.
2. Soothe your soul with a glorious Candlelight Concert
Anyone who’s enjoyed a Candlelight Concert can tell you about the relaxing combination of ambience, flicking candlelight, and beautiful music. When the corporate grind hits hard, this is the ideal antidote – so much so that we’d recommend their private corporate bookings for any employers reading this. You can find the full list of upcoming soothing yet stirring Candlelight Concerts here.
3. Unpack the day’s little dramas at a cosy wine bar
Now, we can’t fully endorse drinking as a way to unwind after work, but the CBD has long provided pretty fertile ground for excellent wine bars, and they’re best enjoyed with colleagues (well, the ones you really like), partners, or friends. A handful of our favourites include Embla, City Wine Shop, and Bijou, but if you’re not wedded to the CBD, we’d recommend Hope St Radio in Collingwood and The Alps in Prahran for a bottle as well.
4. Scale new heights at the city’s best climbing walls
If your work is mostly confined to a desk, getting your body moving after work will help get those endorphins flowing again. And naturally, the only way is up. You’ll find climbing walls all over Melbourne, but if work takes you to the centre of town, Hardrock Climbing in the CBD, BlocHaus in Port Melbourne, and Urban Climb in Collingwood are three of your closest spots.
5. Bop along to We Call It Jazz
Why not take a trip to the jazz-filled joints of New Orleans to forget the hiccups of the working day? Hosted at Brunswick Ballroom, We Call It Jazz invites Melbourne’s talented jazz musicians to tear up the stage with an intoxicating blend of ragtime, blues, and improvised jazz numbers. Pick up a cocktail from the bar, and lose yourself in the music, as you enjoy the camaraderie and cheer of an unforgettable night. Tickets can be found here.
6. Get the adrenaline pumping on an early evening run
Crouching over a laptop with an al desko lunch needs only one antidote: getting your body moving after work. For that, all you’ll need is a pair of sturdy trainers, an upbeat playlist, and some willpower. Running routes can take you wherever you want, but a personal favourite – mostly for the views, and the lack of hills – is alongside the beach from St Kilda to Port Melbourne and back. The Gardiner’s Creek Trail or The Tan, around the Royal Botanic Gardens, will offer a decent challenge as well.
7. Banish boredom at a board game café
Light competition, with a side of food and drinks – what could be better after a hard day’s work? Marche Board Game Café near RMIT is your best option in the CBD, whilst Fitzroy is pretty spoilt for choice with both Boardies and Pause Menu. You can find even more board game cafes here.
8. Replenish your energy at a late night coffee bar
Melbourne’s coffee scene is still buzzing after the working day is done, so whether you need another jolt of caffeine or are happy to kick back with a decaf, you’re well covered. Try the excellent Cathedral Coffee, open until 11pm between Wednesday and Saturday, or the classic Pellegrini’s, serving up espresso until 9pm on weeknights and 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. You can find even more late night cafes here.
9. Send your spirits soaring at We Call It Ballet
Fusing classical ballet and modern technology in a new production of Sleeping Beauty, We Call It Ballet is a dazzling cultural spectacle that you won’t want to miss. With performances at 6pm & 8pm on selected nights at the Capitol Theatre on Swanston Street, this glittering ballet show will fit nicely into your weeknights. Tickets can be found here, but if you’d like to enjoy it with colleagues, you can nudge your company towards a corporate booking for We Call It Jazz or We Call It Ballet here.
10. Serve up fun at The Jar Pickleball Club
Pickleball is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports, and the opening of The Jar in South Melbourne gave Australia its first dedicated indoor facility, an excellent after-work hangout spot where you can work up a gentle sweat whilst socialising. With four courts, courtside seating, and a bar on-site, you can round up your colleagues or book an evening out with pals that’ll smash your stresses away.