Of all the Australian cities, my favorite is Melbourne. [Apologies, Sydney!] The city is far more relaxed than other big towns in Australia, and it has an amazing art scene, a café culture, a plethora of fantastic parks, and an excellent culinary culture. No matter how we put it, Melbs is just a truly unique and special part of the world.
You might easily spend two to three weeks exploring the many cultural offerings, including live music, events, or even art exhibitions. ( Warning – You may never leave like so many other tourists once you experience it!) You can lose track of time once you’re swept into the culture. There’s a plethora of fantastic dining options and attractions to explore. Also, the city is a great jumping-off point for many day trips. Remember, embrace the moment because you don’t want to hurry through your time here.
For those interested in what the city has to offer, our travel guide will explore the best dining, entertainment, and nightlife spots in Melbourne.
The Best Entertainment Options in Melbourne
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing day out, some shopping options, a little bit of history, or a cliché day/night of fun, explore our entertainment recommendations in Melbourne below for some inspiration.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Day and Night!
The Royal Botanic Gardens are home to more than 50,000 plants, including dozens of varieties of flowers, trees, and shrubs imported from all over the globe. The gardens cover an area of more than 34 hectares (86 acres). I love spending time here and exploring the city in Melbourne, especially at The Terrace, where you may have a cup of coffee and people-watch while you meander through the grounds.
In addition, you may get free guided walks—there is also no cost to enter. An Aboriginal Heritage Walk, The Secret Life of Birds, and Forest Therapy are just a few of the optional extras they offer. These vary with the seasons, so be sure to check their website before your visit to find out what’s happening.
Moonlight Movies at the Gardens: During the summer, the Royal Botanic Gardens hosts nightly screenings of Hollywood blockbusters. Enjoy a picnic in the park with your own food and drink (including alcoholic beverages) while watching a top-notch film. Picture it as a drive-in movie without the automobile. Be sure to check the weather forecast ahead of time and bring a sweater, a blanket, and something to sit on.
Feeling Lucky? Crown Melbourne
If you’re like me, you love a little online pokies… even more so when those bonus offers just hit right (this website explains the best ones on the market right now). However, the experience of a physical casino establishment is a refreshing venture if you’re used to online betting.
In step, the Crown Melbourne casino!
Crown Melbourne, situated right in the middle of town, is a well-known casino in Melbourne. You may easily become lost in the enormous gambling floor’s plethora of games, which include 500 tables and more than 2,500 electronic games, including poker, baccarat, blackjack, roulette, and, of course, all the pokies you desire! Not to mention, you have five-star cuisine options, a 24-hour sports bar, and a theatre that hosts international performers.
Crown Melbourne provides opulent lodgings and entertainment options. So, whether you’re an experienced gambler or just seeking a night out, Crown Melbourne is sure to satisfy your needs.
Festivals Galore: Comedy, Sports, Music and More
Melbourne is a prominent festival city, hosting several events annually, including the Comedy Festival, the Spring Racing Carnival (November), the Melbourne Cup (a weeklong racing festival), and Aussie Rules football matches. You also have Moomba, a complimentary community celebration that occurs in March with parades, pyrotechnics, and live musical performances. Don’t neglect The Birdman Rally, featuring people attempting to fly over the Yarra River without mechanical assistance.
To inquire about events during your stay, visit the local tourism office or consult your hotel or hostel staff.
The Most Beautiful Sunset from St. Kilda
Sunsets in St. Kilda are something else!
You may enjoy breathtaking sunsets from this expansive beach that faces west while you relax before a night on the town. A small colony of penguins calls this area home, so keeping your eyes peeled is possible if you’re hanging out on the pier. Make sure you don’t feed them while handling them.
It’s an ideal location for a sunset promenade on a pier that has been around since the 1800s.
Shop Till You Drop: Brunswick Street
Located in the heart of Melbourne, Fitzroy is a mecca for hipsters and alternative types.
Brunswick Street, Fitzroy’s main street, is lined with vintage clothing boutiques, Melbourne fashion labels, and second-hand retailers, including Hunter Gatherer, the Lost and Found Market, and Mud.
The Rose Street Artists’ Market is held every week on Saturday and Sunday mornings, so be sure to stop by if you’re in town on those days. This event showcases the work of some of Melbourne’s most innovative designers and artists while also providing a forum for discussions on the importance of handcrafted goods.
The Best Dining in Melbourne
Vue de Monde
For almost two decades, this exclusive restaurant located atop Collins Street’s Rialto Tower has been a preferred fine dining establishment for Melburnians commemorating various significant events. Vue de Monde, characterized as an Australian restaurant, skillfully presents a fusion of indigenous foods and premium goods throughout its innovative multi-course menu. The Australian motif persists throughout its landscape-inspired design, even in the ethically produced kangaroo fur seats.
Although Vue de Monde’s esteemed menu may not change as dramatically as that of other fine dining establishments, the restaurant possesses a comfortable charm that is difficult to resist. Executive chef Hugh Allen’s impact infuses warmth and vigor into the business, while the theatrical presentation of each dish continues to be exhilarating.
Stokehouse: Seafront Fine Dining
St Kilda’s upscale beachside establishment offers a refined dining experience with an emphasis on seafood that you cannot ignore on your dining bucket list.
A splendid venue for dining and celebrating significant events since 1989, this airy, salt-kissed locale from the Van Haandel Group possesses all the elements for an exquisite meal: breathtaking vistas of Port Phillip Bay, outstanding seafood, a sustainable philosophy that earned its Legend Award at the 2023 Food and Drink Awards, an acclaimed wine selection, and exemplary service in the industry. We could not be more enamored.
Gimlet at Cavendish House: Premium food and cocktails
Here, we have a high-end dining establishment and cocktail bar created by renowned chef Andrew McConnell and the Trader House team, situated in an opulent structure from the 1920s.
Gimlet is a prominent bastion of traditional fine dining in Melbourne. It offers lobster, caviar, acclaimed cocktails, wines, and a seasonally inspired selection of main courses. Additionally, the Gimlet drink. Despite its Euro-style opulence, the establishment exudes warmth and intimacy, evident in every aspect—from the exceptional, well-tailored service to the vibrant atmosphere.
Do not want to spend a fortune? On Friday and Saturday nights after 10 o’clock, you may have one of the most popular cheeseburgers in Melbourne ($28) from the late-night dinner menu.
Eat & Drink on the Yarra River
Go Boats is a Docklands-based boat rental firm that offers Yarra River excursions in vessels up to five meters in length. A boating license is not required, so anyone may have a good time on one.
For a dining experience like no other, you can enjoy your lunch (and some beverages) while cruising down the river in one of the boats with a picnic table already installed.
The Best Nightlife in Melbourne
The Toff: Dance Your Night Away
The Toff is among the town’s most exclusive watering holes. Upon ascending the flight of steps at the vertical laneway Curtin House, one will discover an outstanding band area on the right side and a private booth bar on the left.
A plethora of local and international talent have graced this charming, red-curtained chamber. It’s a lively haunt that adds flavor to Melbourne’s already vibrant atmosphere. At the foot of the stage, you can get your sweat on, or you can sit back and enjoy the wide variety of drinks and tasty food.
Top tip: You must get a drink at the city’s most famous rooftop bar, located on the upper floor.
The 86: Disco lovers assemble
In addition to disco, this cocktail bar and cabaret hosts a variety of queer events. On a regular basis, the party band Piu Disco transforms the pub into a dance paradise on Saturday evenings. Original disco music from the 1970s and 1980s is the main emphasis of the queer disco party. Old school disco, unadulterated and unapologetic.
Don’t come expecting house or techno mixed with disco. This dance night features DJs with diverse interests who get the crowd going from the get-go. Admission is free until 10 o’clock.
Eau de Vie: A classy speakeasy
This establishment in Melbourne is known for its cocktails, jazzy music, private booths, and waistcoat-clad wait staff.
It used to take considerable time to discover Eau de Vie, as it was one of those hidden bars. Right now, it’s considered one of Melbourne’s worst-kept secrets. Despite falling behind the curve, the American prohibition-era principle remains unchanged. One of the town’s busiest cocktail bars, EDV, can whisk you away from the stresses of modern life and into the nostalgia of bygone eras.