Your Guide to the Best Music Venues Melbourne Has To Offer

Melbourne is considered to be the live music capital of Australia. From basement bars to decades-old inner city pubs, the city is alive with music every night of the week. Find out more about Melbourne's music venues as we introduce you to eight of the best and where to stay when you're in town for a good time.

Venue address: 57 Swan Street, Richmond, Victoria

The Corner Hotel is a classic venue for Melbourne’s rock music scene. A storied bar in Richmond with an 800-person basement band room for shows. Gigs run the gamut, from alternative rock, indie rock, to hard rock.

Since the 1940s, The Corner Hotel has played host (and still does) to some of the world's biggest rock stars including Mick Jagger, Ben Harper, Crowded House and Queens of the Stone Age.

Nowadays, the basement band room still attracts big acts and music loving crowds, plus local DJs spin out perfect playlists every Friday on the rooftop.

Where to stay nearby: ibis budget Melbourne CBD is ideally located in the city centre in a restored Victorian building. The hotel is a six minute walk to Flinders Street train station. Its a four minute train ride to Richmond Station. 

Venue Address: 71 Johnston Street, Collingwood, Victoria 

The Tote, a Collingwood stalwart has made a massive contribution to Melbourne’s music culture, hosting alternative rock bands, garage bands and punk rockers from all over Australia and the United States since the early eighties.

The Tote counts American rock duo, The White Stripes, US alternative rock band The Lemonheads and Australia’s punk rock band The Cosmic Psychos as former alumni. Today the live-music pub offers plenty of free entry gig options and a stellar line up of local performers.

Where to stay nearby: Offering great value Melbourne accommodation ibis Melbourne Hotel & Apartments has a variety of rooms and one and two bedroom apartments, with free wifi.

Venue Address: 11 The Esplanade, St Kilda, Victoria 

Melbourne’s legendary live music venue Hotel Esplanade (aka The Espy) on St Kilda’s boardwalk offers music lovers three different stages and twelve bars over five floors. A major refit of its interiors in 2018 revitalised the 1878 seaside venue and The Teskey Brothers ushered in a new chapter of music.

The 120 person standing room only Basement, atmospheric Gershwin Room and Main Bar Stage is a drawcard for Australia’s local artists and touring international bands. Since its dance and jazz club days in the 1920s and every era onwards, The Espy is an integral part of Melbourne’s music scene.

Welcoming new artists with their weekly open mic nights to alternative rock legends of the calibre of Dan Sultan, Tex Perkins and Tumbleweed in the hallowed Gershwin Room. Basement gigs run the gamut from indie rock to electronics.

Where to stay nearby: ibis Styles Kingsgate offers you a central Melbourne location with easy access to St. Kilda on the 96 tram. Set in a 1920s building, this functional hotel offers a unique blend of history and modern comfort with free wifi and a fitness centre.

Venue Address: Lower Esplanade, St Kilda, Victoria (next to Luna Park)

From The Rolling Stones to Dua Lipa, St. Kilda is a neighbourhood bursting with a rich musical history. And the grand dame, Palais Theatre is the gold standard of music venues.

It first opened as a cinema and has enjoyed quite a few different incarnations. A major refurb took place in 2017 and the 1920s Art Deco architecture, complete with an elaborate arched roof and twin domed towers, glows in its new sandstone threads.

It’s the largest seated theatre in the country with a capacity for over 2,500 people. Their line up is consistently full of local and international live music concerts.

Where to stay nearby: Located in the heart of Melbourne CBD ibis Melbourne Central offers a range of accommodation options and modern amenities including a Smart TV and free wifi. Enjoy a great buffet breakfast at Pretty Boy Bar & Restaurant. 

Venue Address: 154 Flinders Street, Melbourne, Victoria

An icon of early 20th century Melbourne, The Forum boasts perfect acoustics and Neo-Gothic architecture adorned with gargoyles. Its ornate interiors, with Greco-Roman statues adding a funky eccentricity to any gig. The Forum is one of Melbourne’s heritage music venues.

Programming leans towards jazz, indie and alternative rock, plus it’s home to the Melbourne Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Luminaries who have performed under the Forum’s star-studded faux sky include Oasis, Katy Perry, Tame Impala and Midnight Oil.

Where to stay nearby: ibis budget Melbourne CBD on fashionable Elizabeth Street is within easy walking distance of The Forum. Guest room conveniences include free wifi, ensuite bathroom, complimentary tea and coffee and a mini fridge. 

Venue Address: 29 Lygon Street, Carlton, Victoria

The Curtin is one of the best grassroot venues in Melbourne for up-and-coming artists. Located in Carlton, the venue offers a platform for starting out musicians to explore their music and build an audience.

It has always been one of Melbourne’s most iconic spots for a live gig. Its intimate, 300-patron capacity and paired-back interior is emblematic of its character - like the music made here is the most important thing.

The Curtin has played host to every possible style of music over the years and they’ve still got some amazing live shows lined up.

Where to stay nearby: ibis Melbourne Hotel & Apartments is located  just a few minutes' walk from Queen Victoria Market and 'Little Italy' and The Curtin in Lygon Street . 

Venue Address: 300 Dudley Street, West Melbourne, Victoria

Festival Hall has played a major role in music history ranging from the pandemonium that greeted The Beatles in 1964 to Marilyn Manson’s on stage antics in 2009. Rage Against The Machine’s held their first concerts outside of the USA here in 2008. Punk band NOFX played their last ever gig to a sold-out crowd at Festival Hall in January 2024.

This legendary venue, with a capacity for 5,400 concertgoers, traces its history all the way back to 1913 when it first opened as a roller-skating rink. Today, Festival Hall continues to present some of the best live music concerts in Melbourne. 

Where to stay nearby: ibis budget Melbourne CBD offers easy access to public transport with a tram stop directly outside the hotel. Flinders Street Station is just a five minute walk away and the hotels unbeatable location on lively Elizabeth Street, means that you are surrounded by bars, cafes, restaurants, and shops. 

Venue Address: 74-76 Johnston St, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria

The Old Bar has become much more than just a music venue; it is a hub for the local community. It is considered one of Melbourne's favourite spots to see new and established Australian artists any night of the week.

Julia Jacklin did a surprise gig here, and it’s a favourite stop off for Georgie Knight, Rhysics, Cash Savage and Digger & The Pussycats. There’s always a great pre show buzz but come gig time, there’s no chance you’ll miss the opening act as the booming beats ricochet off the intimate band room stage, beckoning beer garden patrons and bystanders inside.

Where to stay nearby: Located in the heart of the city with easy access to trams, trains and buses ibis Melbourne Hotel & Apartments comprise one and two bedroom apartments and also standard guest rooms. The hotel has a casual eatery and bar.