Must see entertainment in Melbourne

You could spend all day going from room to room now that the beloved 'Espy' is back, after a $15 million renovation. Antiques complement its Victorian…

Melbourne's original outdoor cinema hits the Royal Botanic Gardens from the end of November through March, screening current releases and retro classics…

One of Melbourne's most iconic live-music venues, this divey pub has been hosting a roster of local and international punk, heavy metal and hardcore bands…

Rising gracefully beside Luna Park, the art deco Palais (c 1927) is a St Kilda icon, with everyone from the Rolling Stones and Rufus Wainwright to the…

This 1936 art deco darling has had more ups and downs than a fading Hollywood star. Saved from permanent closure, it's one of Melbourne's best-loved…

At the back of a car park near the train tracks is not usually a great spot to hang out, but here you'll find a street-art-covered warehouse facade…

Featuring a company of top-drawer talent, Red Stitch is one of Australia's most respected actors' ensembles, staging new international works that are…

The Prince is a legendary St Kilda venue, with a solid line-up of local and international acts spanning hip-hop, dance, rock and indie. It's been going…

More than 50 years old, Melbourne-based Australian Ballet performs traditional and new works in the Arts Centre and around the country. Take an hour-long…

Set up by Lonely Planet founders Maureen and Tony Wheeler to showcase 'books, writing and ideas', this centre has become an important part of the city's…

This building may look like a framed piece of giant honeycomb, but it’s actually home (or hive?) to the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra (www.mco.org.au), with…

The MSO has a broad reach: while not afraid to be populist (it's done sell-out performances with Burt Bacharach and Kiss), it usually performs classical…

In 2019 Melbourne's most legendary live-rock bar had to vacate its divey AC/DC Lane basement, ending up a few blocks away in this heritage-listed 19th…

Located onsite at Circus Oz's headquarters, this spiegeltent was built in Belgium in 1910. It's been here since 2006, when it was renamed after Aussie…

There's stand-up featuring Melbourne’s best-known funny people most nights of the week here. If you like to live dangerously, Tuesday's when professional…

One of the city’s most atmospheric live-music venues, the Forum does double duty as a cinema during the Melbourne International Film Festival. The…

The band room here is one of Melbourne’s most popular midsize venues. It's seen plenty of action over the years, from Dinosaur Jr to the Buzzcocks. If…

Founded in 1953, MTC is the oldest professional theatre company in Australia. It stages up to a dozen productions each year, ranging from contemporary …

See the latest in art-house, docos and foreign films at this cinema, a locals' favourite. Cheap Monday screenings ($7/10 before/after 4pm).

Down a typical Melbourne laneway, this eccentric little cabaret club stages acts from drag and improvised comedy to Glee singalongs and theatre. The rooms…