The Best Venues to Catch Live Music at in Melbourne

Such is the depth and quality of Melbourne’s live music scene that every day of the week, month, and year there are dozens of gigs happening all over the city. From intimate performances to full scale concerts, it's never hard to find a vibey bar playing host to a local musician or an arena filled with fans adoringly watching their pop icon perform. 

No matter what kind of music you're vibing, Melbourne's music scene is unmatched. These are the best places to catch live music in Melbourne — whether you want to dance to an old favourite or the next big thing.

Open Studio

A beloved live music venue that has charmed Melbourne since 2006, Open Studio is known for its cosy, intimate atmosphere and dedication to fantastic live music. This European-inspired bar offers a unique blend of live performances, cabaret, and dancing, all within a vintage setting. It’s famed for its irresistible crepes, an extensive list of 40+ cocktails, and a romantic undercover courtyard, perfect for a night out with your bestie or beau.

Open Studio’s small stage might be humble, but its dedication to supporting local and international artists is unmatched, creating a warm, inviting space for both musicians and music lovers to connect and make memories.

204 High Street, Northcote

Mamma Chen's 

This inclusive live music venue in Melbourne’s west is all about good vibes, great music, and celebrating diversity. Known for embracing artistic risk-taking, it champions equity by providing accessible and physically safe spaces for all to enjoy, engage, and perform. Focused on community and artist support, this venue actively listens to its performers’ needs, fostering genuine growth. Diversity is central, welcoming eclectic differences and celebrating multiplicity. It’s more than a venue for fantastic and eclectic gigs—it’s a friendly face offering warmth and connection through shared musical experiences.

42A Albert Street, Footscray 

Corner Hotel

The Corner Hotel is a tried and true icon of Melbourne’s live music scene. With a history stretching back to the '40s, they’ve hosted everyone from indie acts to global rock superstars, including Mick Jagger, The White Stripes and Queens of the Stone Age. These days, it’s got a slick rooftop, but the real drawcard is still their high-voltage bandroom. Hosting everything from indie rock bands to punk and metal, their gig line up always delivers.

57 Swan Street, Richmond

Prince Bandroom

One of St Kilda’s most dependable party spots, the Prince Bandroom is a nightclub-slash-concert-venue is equally at home hosting indie bands, international rock legends, EDM stars, and hip-hop up and comers. Grab a delicious Mediterranean meal downstairs (St Kilda locals get 20% off their bill on Wednesdays), then it’s jackets off to get rowdy and dance about.

29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda

The Gasometer Hotel

Regularly reaching their 350-or-so person capacity, the Gasometer is the place to go for a proper party. Known by locals as 'The Gaso', they’ve got a retractable roof so on hot summer nights you can dance under the stars, whether from the d-floor or up on the mezzanine level. It's a go-to for independent local artists, and you'll always catch a talented act on, no matter when you come.

484 Smith Street, Collingwood

Cherry Bar

Having found a new home since the heartbreaking closure of its original space in AC/DC Lane, Cherry Bar's upstairs gig venue is on the smaller side - but the music is always loud. You’ll hear everything from rock, pop, techno, funk and punk, with entry often free or cheap. It’s open until the small hours Wednesday–Sunday, so you can start the weekend early on a high.

68 Little Collings Street, Melbourne

The Paris Cat Jazz Club

Star in your own version of Midnight in Paris with a visit to Paris Cat Jazz Club, which will transport you to the French jazz bars of the '20s and '30s without a toe stepped outside the CBD. Hidden down an alleyway (of course), it might take you a while to find, but you’ll be rewarded with cosy, candlelit rooms and intimate performances of swing, soul, blues, bebop and funk four nights a week.

6 Goldie Place, Melbourne

Northcote Social Club

Nearing 18 years strong, Northcote Social Club is a key player in Melbourne’s local indie scene. It’s the kind of place where one week you’ll catch an international act, and the next, drop in for a local album launch and discover your new favourite band. Amongst their regular line up of gigs (and week night food specials), they also host Bandroom Trivia every Tuesday.

301 High Street, Northcote

The Jazzlab

Despite having space for over 200, The Jazzlab maintains a focused, intimate atmosphere. Possibly Melbourne’s most prestigious jazz venue, it’s open every night of the week. Here, you’ll see local and international musicians at the top of their game, with as many classics as avante-garde, boundary-pushing performances.

27 Leslie Street, Brunswick

Howler

Behind a carpark by the train tracks isn’t where you’d expect to find a place like Howler, an old woolshed turned into a warehouse bar with trees and plants hanging from every corner. Out the back they play host to a lively lineup of indie, electronic and artsy acts, as well as open mic nights and storytelling sessions.

7-11 Dawson Street, Brunswick

Palais Theatre

For something a little fancier, catch a show within the hallowed walls of this 1920s art deco theatre. Fresh from a $26 million restoration a few years ago that zhuzhed up everything from the red carpet up to the magnificent dome ceiling, the beloved Palais Theatre venue is the cultural heart of St Kilda and its home for live music. 

Lower Esplanade and Cavell Street, St Kilda

The Tote Hotel

A Melbourne metal, grunge and punk institution, The Tote Hotel has been entertaining locals with loud music for years. Yes the décor is rugged and the carpet smells a little damp, but if you want to sweat to live music in the band room our sit outside with a beer in a courtyard and mellow out to stoner sounds, this is the place to be.

 67-71 Johnston Street, Collingwood

Rod Laver Arena

While it's saved for the Australian Open during the final two weeks of January, Rod Laver Arena plays host to an incredible number of international superstars throughout the rest of the year. From pop idols to rock and roll and everything in between, and standing and seating options to suit everybody, you're always in for a good time at Rod Laver Arena, even if the tennis isn't on.

200 Batman Avenue, Melbourne

Margaret Court Arena

Similar to its neighbour, Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena is the stage many huge international artists choose to perform on when they visit Melbourne - when the tennis isn't on, of course. This arena recently expanded to be able to hold 7500 people rather than the previous 6000, making it the perfect, large-but-not-insanely-large Melbourne live music destination.

Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne

MCG

Typically, the MCG is known and loved for the many AFL and Cricket matches that take place on the grass. However, the music world's biggest singers and celebrities take over it every now and then, performing gigantic concerts that are absolutely incredible. We've seen the likes of Ed Sheeran and, most recently, Taylor Swift take over the 'G, and we're eagerly awaiting for who comes here next.

Brunton Avenue, Richmond

The Forum

The Forum Melbourne is best known as a gorgeous live music venue in Melbourne wherein local and international artists who are on the rise, but aren't quite large enough for an arena concert just yet perform at. Holding up to 2000 people, this venue has a gorgeous archway, sculptures and details. Attending a concert here is a magical experience!

154 Flinders Street, Melbourne

Now you know where to catch live music in Melbourne, discover the city's best cinemas. Looking for more cultural inspiration? Check out this amazing new arts precinct, and find out what to do in Melbourne this month.