Melbourne is the kind of city that makes it very easy to stay out later than you planned.
Known for its incredible restaurants, hidden bars, live music venues, cocktail lounges, and thriving arts scene, Melbourne comes alive after dark. And while Friday and Saturday nights may get most of the attention, there is plenty happening on a Thursday night too.
Whether you want to listen to live rock music, dance until late, sip cocktails somewhere glamorous, or finish your evening with a steaming bowl of ramen, Thursday nightlife in Melbourne offers a little something for everyone.
If you are planning a night out in the city, here are four very different places to consider.
Cherry Bar
For live music and a little Melbourne rock-and-roll history, Cherry Bar is an institution. Founded in 1999, the venue has become one of the city’s best-known rock bars, hosting live local acts along with DJs playing everything from classic soul to contemporary rock.
Today you will find Cherry Bar at 68 Little Collins Street in Melbourne’s CBD. Current listings show it open on Thursday evenings into the early hours, making it an easy choice if you want your Thursday night to revolve around music rather than cocktails and conversation.
The atmosphere is casual, energetic, and unapologetically rock-and-roll. This I not where I would go expecting a quiet drink in an elegant lounge. And that is precisely the point.
Best for: Live music, rock fans, DJs, and a casual late-night atmosphere.
Lucky Thursdays
If your ideal Thursday night involves dancing rather than sitting at a bar, Lucky Thursdays is essentially designed for you.
Located at 170 Russell Street in Melbourne’s CBD, Lucky Thursdays has built its identity around Thursday-night clubbing and describes itself as Melbourne’s longest-running student night. Despite the university crowd, you do not have to be a student to attend.
The venue features two rooms, DJs, drink specials, and music spanning styles including R&B, house, tech, and deep house. This is easily the highest-energy option on this list.
If you are traveling with friends, celebrating something, or simply want to dance your way toward Friday morning, this is the place I would consider. Students can currently receive discounted entry with valid student identification, but because cover charges, events, and promotions can change, always check the venue directly before heading out.
Best for: Dancing, university students, groups of friends, and a proper Thursday-night party.
The Douglas Club
For an entirely different kind of Thursday evening, head to The Douglas Club.
Located at 472 Bourke Street, this sophisticated cocktail bar takes its inspiration from the glamour of travel and hospitality during the 1930s, blending that old-world aesthetic with contemporary cocktails.
And, as someone who has spent a rather significant portion of her life obsessed with travel, I can certainly appreciate that inspiration.
The Douglas Club is divided into two rooms, with a bar where you can watch the cocktails being prepared and emerald-green velvet lounges where you can settle in with a drink. Its menu includes cocktails, wine, spirits, and bar snacks.
Current information lists the bar as open Thursday afternoons and evenings, although I would still check hours before visiting. This would be my choice if I wanted to dress up a little, order a beautiful cocktail, and actually be able to have a conversation.
Best for: Date nights, cocktails, sophisticated drinks, and a more relaxed Thursday evening.
Shujinko
Eventually, every good night out reaches the point when food becomes very important. For ramen lovers, Shujinko’s Russell Street location offers Tokyo-style tonkotsu ramen made with pork-bone broth and handmade noodles, along with Japanese snacks such as gyoza and edamame.
Located at 225 Russell Street in the CBD, it is conveniently positioned for grabbing something substantial before or after drinks nearby.
One important update from when I originally published this article in 2022: Shujinko has long been known for late-night dining, but do not rely on the old claim that this location is open 24 hours. Current City of Melbourne information lists the Russell Street restaurant as closing at 10:30 PM on Thursdays.
So, if ramen is part of your Thursday-night plan, I would make it an earlier stop rather than saving it for the very end of the evening.
Best for: Ramen, casual dinners, warming up before a night out, or feeding yourself before the kitchen closes.
How To Plan A Thursday Night Out In Melbourne
One of the nicest things about spending an evening in Melbourne’s CBD is that you do not necessarily have to commit to one type of night.
You could begin with cocktails at The Douglas Club, head somewhere livelier afterward, catch some music at Cherry Bar, or build dinner into the evening before things get late.
The best approach is to decide what matters most to you and plan around that one experience rather than trying to cram five venues into a single night.
Also check individual venues before leaving your hotel. Opening hours, live performances, DJs, ticket prices, dress codes, and special events can change — particularly when you’re reading a travel guide that may have been published months or years before your trip.
What To Do Between Melbourne Adventures
Not every minute of a city break needs to be packed with sightseeing or nightlife. If you are traveling solo, taking public transportation across the city, relaxing at your hotel before dinner, or simply need some downtime between adventures, downloading something to read or listen to can be surprisingly useful.
You can browse this All You Can Books review for ideas on audiobooks and ebooks to keep on your phone while traveling. Sometimes an hour spent doing absolutely nothing in your hotel room is exactly what you need before heading back out.
Final Thoughts
One of my favorite things about great cities is having options. And Melbourne certainly gives you those.
A Thursday evening can mean cocktails beneath glamorous lighting, live rock music, dancing with a crowd of university students, or sitting over a bowl of ramen while the city buzzes outside.
You do not necessarily need Friday or Saturday night to experience Melbourne after dark. Pick the kind of evening that sounds like you, check the venue’s current schedule, and see where the night takes you.
