Bars With Great Live Music In Melbourne

On any given night you’re sure to find a bar in Melbourne where you can sit back with a drink and catch a gig. From local and interstate emerging talent to international stars, these five bars offer great live music in and around Melbourne. Having hosted the likes of Mick Jagger, Pink, The White Stripes and Blink 182, you never know who you’re going to see next.

1. Ding Dong Lounge

Music Venue

In 2012 Billy Walsh, former Cosmic Psychos drummer and the man behind Melbourne’s iconic Cherry Bar, opened the Ding Dong Lounge, sister to the New York establishment of the same name. Located in Chinatown, Ding Dong Lounge has attracted the likes of Silversun Pickups, The Kills, The White Stripes, Ed Sheeran, Wolfmother, 1979 and The Grates among scores of others up the narrow stairs and into the intimate performance space that can hold up to 400 people. Open from Wednesday to Friday, the band room features a bar, plenty of seating and a small, raised stage.

2. Corner Hotel

Corner Hotel

Located next to the rumbling Richmond station is the Corner Hotel, which has been a source for live music since the 1940s when jazz bands roared through the venue. In October 1988 Mick Jagger played a secret show at the Corner Hotel, and in 1995 current owners Tim Northeast and Richard Moffat took over, attracting bands including Blink 182, The White Stripes, Ben Harper, Crowded House, Queens of the Stone Age, The Black Keys, Powderfinger and The Temper Trap, among others. With room for 800 revellers, The Corner Hotel is the place to see emerging Australian acts and International names across a variety of genres.

The Corner Hotel, 57 Swan St, Richmond Victoria, Australia +61 03 9427 7300

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3. Yah Yah's

Nightclub, Australian

In 2014 the crew behind Cherry Bar – James Young, Peter Lewis, and Jim Bourke – took over Yah Yah’s after hearing that the much-loved music venue and dive bar would soon become an Indian restaurant. Now in safe hands, Yah Yah’s has re-established itself as one of Melbourne’s premier music joints respectful of the venue’s rock and roll history. Local, interstate and international artists have all played amid the ruby red of Yah Yah’s, and with music pumping until the early morning Yah Yah’s guarantees a memorable and very late night out.

4. The Curtin

The Curtin

With a capacity of just 300 The Curtin provides an intimate setting ideal for album launches and informal gigs. Located at the end of Lygon Street, The Curtin’s tiered band room is designed to provide unrestricted views of the stage to all patrons with a slew of gig posters across the walls advertising upcoming gigs. From surf fusion to punk, garage bands, funk, jazz and indie rock The Curtin has an unbiased musical taste meaning that you never know what you’re going to hear in the upstairs bandroom. There are also free gigs at the front bar on Saturday afternoon.

The Curtin, 29 Lygon St, Carlton Victoria, Australia +61 03 9663 6350

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5. The Prince Bandroom

The Prince Bandroom

For over 75 years The Prince Bandroom has hosted local and international acts including Lenny Kravitz, Jack Johnson, Scissor Sisters, Simple Plan, Ben Harper, Pink, Coldplay, Bright Eyes and Goldfrapp. Located on the corner of Fitzroy and Acland Streets in St Kilda, The Prince Bandroom can hold up to 900 people and hosts a variety of genres from punk to dance and folk. It was also the venue of choice for Splendour in the Grass side shows. From the free live music downstairs to the bigger acts upstairs, The Prince Bandroom is known for its fantastic sound and diverse gigs.

The Prince Bandroom, 29 Fitzroy St, St Kilda Victoria, Australia +61 03 9536 1168

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