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Double O
Make the illuminated 'o' within an 'o' down the end of Sniders Lane your target for sneaker-busting beats till dawn. Downstairs is concrete and exposed plumbing, simply furnished with little hideaway booths for D&Ms. Upstairs is the place to boogie beneath the mirror balls to hip-hop and drum and bass.
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Doulton Bar
Keep your eyes on the prize: a spot at the curved front window with gold-tinted views down the length of Acland St. Wood-panelled walls and weighty wooden furniture merge with a modern split-level floor plan, in keeping with the original building and mindful of its casual late-20s crowd. Who - even from the couches down the back - have their eyes on those window seats.
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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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Ffour
This stark all-nighter is also popular earlier with Friday after-work drinkers, when entry is free and drinks specials drown out the week that was. It's your basic garden-variety club; each night brings a different crowd-pleasing flavour, from R&B through to commercial house. Join gangs of girlfriends and student types on their big night out.
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Flor
Flor Wine Bar is one of those great places you wonder if you should even tell your friends about - maybe it'd be better to keep it to yourself. It's small, with one cosy corner, a few tables, a courtyard for summer, and a really big wine rack. If wine's not your thing, you can get stuck into one of many fine single malts, or try a whisky flight - 15mL serves of five different whiskies.
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George Cinemas
Fully licensed, the George is relatively small but integral to local film culture. Apart from screening arty-type major releases, it's a venue for the St Kilda and Short Film Festivals and VCA film and TV graduate screenings.
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George Public Bar
The imposing George Hotel is a monumental establishment. Behind the crumbling paint and Edwardian windows there's an award-winning restaurant (Melbourne Wine Room) and several bars designed to attract the beautiful people. But in the bowels is the George Public Bar, or Snakepit. Descending into the basement has been likened to walking into the bar scene in Star Wars. Here all types are welcome to nurse a pot, play some pool or eat a counter meal.
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Gin Palace
If you love martinis, then this is your castle. With a drinks list to make your liver quiver, Gin Palace is the perfect place to grab a soft couch or secluded alcove, sip, and take it slow. Its seductive lighting, velvet drapes and cushioned nooks give it a top first-date rating. It's best on weeknights, when a conversation can be conducted without resorting to sign language.
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Great Britain
This big corner pub does the dingy local thing with panache. Noted for its own brand of beer called 'Piss' and a low-alcohol version called 'Piss Weak', there are few other pubs where you can ask for a pot of Piss without anyone batting an eyelid. The GB will even call in a pizza from across the road. This gladly gloomy stalwart livens up later in the week, with a clubby basement - open late.
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Greyhound Hotel
This small, sweaty hotel holds absolutely no pretensions. It's one of the few Melbourne pubs that hasn't been refurbished, and is an original all right, doing drag on Saturday night, karaoke on Sunday and bands from Thursday to Saturday.
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Half-Tix
If you're after cheap tickets, visit the Half-Tix counter, which sells half-price tickets to shows and concerts on the day of the performance. Half-Tix accepts cash payments only.
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Hoohaa Bar
Pressed-metal panels make an impression at this otherwise restrained upstairs bar - a refreshing change from the area's deluge of gimmick and lounge bars. Hoohaa is young and fresh, a popular haunt of students at the nearby circus school and arts uni. Booths, a courtyard and a schmoozing area around the slick bar fill up fast.
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Imax
Who'd have predicted that 3-D films would be relegated to kid-friendly genres? Animal and adventure films in 3-D screen on a grand scale here, with movies specially made for these giant screens.
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Kage Physical Theatre
This modern dance company explores the nexus between theatre and dance. Narrative is played out without dialogue, using music, design and movement to tell the story. This is witty and innovative stuff, well worth a look. Check the website for performance details.
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Kino
The Kino screens quality art-house films in its comfy licensed cinemas. It offers a seniors special from Tuesday to Friday that includes morning tea. Mondays are cheaper for all. Kino also participates in special events such as film festivals and 'Reel Mums' screenings for parents and carers of small children.
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La La Land
When the sun goes down and you're left needing a little liquid rejuvenation, you always have La La, the relaxing land of open fires, snug hand-me-down couches and a limited drinks menu. Nuzzle yourself into a corner with a bottle of wine, a fondue and a friend or two.
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La Mama
La Mama is historically significant to Melbourne's theatre scene. This tiny, intimate forum produces new Australian works and experimental theatre, and has a reputation for developing emerging playwrights.
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Lambsgo Bar
If you love beer you'll love Lambsgo. Haunt the modest beer garden or pool room and you'll find such treats as Kwak beer, a brew served in a glass with a bulbous bottom so it can't balance without hand or stand; and Delirium Tremens, a high-alcohol beer adorned with pink elephants. And if washing the hops over the chin gets you a little peckish, Lambsgo lets you dial for pizza.
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Last Laugh Comedy Club
The Last Laugh is open Friday and Saturday year-round, with additional nights in summer. This is professional stand-up, featuring local and international artists. Dinner/show packages are available - bookings recommended. The club is also a venue for acts during the Comedy Festival.
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Long Room
What do sushi, moose heads and cocktails have in common? They're all at Long Room. The decadent space runs the length of a city block, and is bedecked with said heads, clusters of low-lying tables, a sushi bar and private tatami rooms. The after-work crowd recognise the top-40 type tunes and loiter till late.
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Loop
Seriously blurring the lines between bar and art space, Loop is the perfect theatre to observe the latest in esoteric visual media. It features a large double screen and scattered projectors; find yourself a dark seat or a spot at the bar and watch the 'Video Jockeys' display their wares.
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M.O.O.
This sumptuous hideaway has the air of an exclusive gentlemen's club. Overstuffed leather couches, private booths lining the walls and excellent service complete the picture. It's the perfect place to hold an important conference with friends over several bottles of fine wine - you can also taste your way through a tantalising tapas menu.
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Malthouse Theatre
This is probably the most exciting local theatre you'll see in Melbourne. Dedicated to promoting Australian works, the Malthouse is instrumental in touring works, taking innovative Australian theatre to a wider audience. Housed in the atmospheric Malthouse Theatre since 1990, it includes a number of theatre spaces of varying sizes and includes the Tower Theatre - bringing the better acts from the city's fringe to a broader audience.
