Melbourne has one of the best nightlife scenes in Australia, and the inner north is where most of the action happens. Fitzroy and Collingwood have a concentration of bars, live music venues, and late-night spots that rivals any precinct in the country.
Smith Street in Collingwood is the main artery. On any given Friday or Saturday night, you can walk from one end to the other and hit a dozen different bars without crossing the street. The range is what makes it work: rooftop cocktail bars, old-school pubs, dive bars with live music, and everything in between. It is the kind of strip where you do not need a plan. You just walk and stop at whatever catches your eye.
Brunswick Street in Fitzroy is the slightly more established counterpart. The bars here lean a little more towards cocktails and wine, with a few institutions that have been around for decades. It is a good choice if you prefer something a bit more relaxed than the Smith Street energy but still want plenty of options within walking distance.
Melbourne does rooftop bars better than most cities. The inner north has several that give you views across the city skyline, which is particularly good at sunset. Most are accessible without a booking on weeknights, but weekends can fill up quickly, especially in summer.
Melbourne has more live music venues per capita than any other city in the world, and a large chunk of them are in Fitzroy and Collingwood. On any night of the week, you can find live bands playing in pubs and small venues along the main strips. The genres range from indie and rock to jazz and electronic. If live music is your thing, check the venue listings for The Tote, The Old Bar, or Northcote Social Club.
One of the best things about Melbourne nightlife is that you are never far from good food. Most restaurants on Smith Street and Brunswick Street serve until late, and there are dedicated late-night spots that open until the early hours. You are not stuck choosing between going out and eating well. You can do both.
If you are staying in Fitzroy or Collingwood, everything is walkable. The main bar strips are within 10 to 15 minutes of each other on foot. If you want to venture further out to places like Northcote, Collingwood has good tram connections running late into the night. Rideshare is also easy to get in the inner north.
For more on the live music and comedy side of things, read our blog post on Melbourne live music, nightlife and the Comedy Festival: https://artistabodes.com.au/melbourne-live-music-nightlife-comedy-festival-fitzroy-collingwood/ or find a place to stay near the action at https://artistabodes.com.au/search-results/
