Showing 1-18 of 18 results
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Arthouse
The Arthouse, at the Royal Artillery Hotel, is on the local indie-band circuit. Rock, country, hardcore punk, metal and ska, plays Wednesday to Saturday - mohawks and big wallet chains welcome. Sunday sees acoustic sets.
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Bennetts Lane
Bennetts Lane has been a quintessential part of the Melbourne music scene for years. Attracting the cream of local talent, as well as regular international acts, this is the perfect pad if you love a good toe-tap to contemporary jazz.
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Cherry
If you remember the days when music was made by musical instruments, rather than someone playing samples of someone else's songs, then you'll probably feel at home at Cherry. This rock'n'roll refuge is anti-chic: - you can carve your name on the bar and carve up the dance floor with some air-guitar moves. Enter from Duckboard Pl.
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Corner
Apart from being one of the city's favourite live-music venues, the Corner has a friendly front bar and stellar rooftop, with views across town. Even if you're not in the band room, the strains of Martha Wainwright or Interpol leak into the front bar - making quite a serenade to a game of pool or meal of basic pub grub.
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Cornish Arms
The Cornish Arms is a big, friendly venue hosting performances by local talents you're unlikely to have heard of, but who may have had some success in the Australian music scene (usually some time ago). There's some form of entertainment nightly (free to around A$20 ), be it music, comedy or cabaret. Sunday-afternoon sessions are popular with young families.
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Ding Dong Lounge
This rock-and-roll bar also stages touring and local bands. Lounge and ambient artists need not apply. With a sister venue in New York, the Ding Dongs are keeping it real, hosting performers such as the Kills and Scout Niblett.
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Empress Hotel
The Empress continues to grace the Melbourne music scene with its presence. This quintessential Fitzroy pub was one of the first to book Silverchair. It stages a variety of genres from folk to unplugged rock every night of the week. Monday to Wednesday and Sunday are free, admission Thursday through Saturday costs under around A$10 . The Empress also serves decent counter meals.
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Esplanade
Defiant in its rejection of makeovers, remodels and spruce ups, the Espy remains gloriously shabby and welcoming to all. Its dress code prescribes 'clothes'. Its bands, which play most nights , necessitate a liking for guitars (or earplugs). And its long-running kitchen requires a hunger for basic pub grub but also caters to fancier tastes.
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Evelyn Hotel
Playing mostly local acts, the Evelyn also pulls some biggish-name international performers. The Ev doesn't discriminate by genre; as long as it's quality music it gets a look-in here. Both one-off gigs and band residencies feature from Tuesday to Sunday at this long-running, well-respected venue.
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Manchester Lane
Manchester Lane doubles as a semiformal restaurant and has a classy-theatre-restaurant feel about it. While it hosts jazz musicians, an odd assortment of performers have played here, including Russell Crowe and his band the Ordinary Fear of God, and the vaudevillian Soubrettes & Friends Variety a GoGo. Enter from Manchester Lane.
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Northcote Social Club
This northern light on Melbourne's music horizon hosts an eclectic line-up of musicians in the band room out back. The bar is suitably laidback and you can fill up on some very honest pub tucker, including including veg-and kid-friendly options. There is a huge deck out the back for long beery summer afternoons. Open for dinner every night of the week, plus lunch Thursday to Sunday.
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Old Bar
A lounge atmosphere with nary a whiff of '70s shtick, Old Bar is old-school. Pinnies chink in the walkways and live music plays most nights. This is where DJs go on their nights off to enjoy the best off-the-beaten tracks. It's nothing flash, but that's why it's loved. There's always a need for affordable drinks and an uncontrived ambience.
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Pony
Bands thump away upstairs (from Wednesday to Saturday), above the low ceilings and smoky din. You can also saddle up for the long haul, with Pony open downstairs until Friday and Saturday night.
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Rainbow Hotel
There's a mixed bag of free music every night, and has been for over 12 years at this Fitzroy icon. It's a tiny band space, and you often have to look over the bar, but it has a long and loyal following. Monday night, hear Paul Williamson's Hammond Combo - a jazz outfit that's been playing in this spot for over 12 years.
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Spanish Club
Serving the area's Spanish community for over 25 years, the Spanish Club is now hosting bands and DJs between elderly citizens' meetings and salsa dance classes. The back Salon Room is beautiful, complete with fancy patterned carpet, and it's smoke-free. The front bar has good black vinyl booths to drink at, and - if it's Saturday - to eat a Matador Breakfast with Bloody Marys.
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Tony Starr's Kitten Club
Ascend the lime-green stairs to the split-level world of Tony Starr. First stop, the Galaxy Lounge with its '50s-inspired cocktail-hour décor, open kitchen and weekend live cabaret. Or, company depending, climb the stairs again and stretch out and purr in the padded plushness of the Love Lounge.
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Tote
Last time we were here, the band was swinging from the rafters, dripping in sweat. The Tote has been belting out alternative music seemingly forever - the carpet is threadbare and the mosh area is literally a pit. There's live music in the back room from Tuesday to Sunday, or select a track from the Tote's jukebox, which is loaded with alternative faves.
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Town Hall Hotel
The Town Hall is an unfussy North Melbourne local. Typical of this area, bands are from the city's musical fringe. Live music is staged free in the front room from Thursday to Saturday. There's a beaut beer garden and super meals are also available.
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Showing 1-18 of 18 results
