Best Indie Bars In Melbourne

Now if there was a prize for the Best Indie Club in Melbourne we’d probably just use our biased little hands to offer it to The Espy, straight up. But that wouldn’t be particularly fair (despite The Espy’s reputation being one of Melbourne’s prime spots for live music everyday of the week…) to the other fruitful offerings on the streets of this passionately artistic city.

There’s many small bars in Melbourne or gig venue that coaxes kids who hold the Klaxon’s first album close to their hearts in through their doors. So many in fact, that unlike our Sydney feature – which includes Indie Bars In Sydney – this insight into Melbourne Nightclubs revolves around venues that are all truly Indie at heart. For a night of Indie DJ’s, let us just recommend ‘Weekender’ at Ding Dong Lounge, we can be sure you won’t be disappointed. But here we have it: here’s our pick of the best Indie bars in Melbourne.

The Esplanade Hotel

Just because we said we’d fill in you in on all Indie club offerings doesn’t mean we’re not going to put The Espy at the top of the list! A haven for live music for over 100 years, The Espy has bands playing seven days a week, every week. And that’s just The Front Bar. Most of the time they don’t even ask you for money to see them! A true landmark of St Kilda and Australia, The Espy’s three rooms have undergone renovation in the past decade, with Gershwin Room (the former grand dining room of the original hotel) being brought back to life to be one of the most stunning places to enjoy live music, visually and acoustically speaking! No pub to club hopping is required, over the Espy Kitchen Menu and 3 rooms of music (and not to mention reasonably-priced alcohol for sale) your forgiven for wanting spend the best part of your evenings and night in this legendary venue.

11 The Esplanade
St. Kilda, VIC 3182
(03) 95340211

Northcote Social Club

It doesn’t exactly give the most spectacular of first impressions, but it’s proof that judging on appearances can lead to a whole lot of missing out! The Northcote Social Club is social by name, and social by nature. You can grab great food in this fabulous food spot in Melbourne, chill with a couple of drinks or get high off the infectious atmosphere that circulates the band room. You can expect single launches and shows from upcoming and established local bands to shake up the cosy space several times a week, at this particular Indie Bar in Melbourne. Once upon a time The Pixies played a secret show here, back in 2007. It is the heart of Indie Music in Melbourne, and the place to be on a Sunday, thanks to their live sessions accompanied by a spit roast!

301 High Street
Northcote
VIC 3070, Australia
(03) 9489 3917

Cherry Bar

A famous late Rock n’ Roll joint on the famous AC/DC Lane, Cherry Bar is the place to rub shoulders with famous musicians who need a place for a drink once they’ve played their own shows, at this unique Indie bar in Melbourne. It’s got a modest capacity of 200 people, but it’s all the more appropriate for sweaty late-night dancing for it. There’s something for everyone; local bands play the early evenings on most nights, Thursdays are nights of Soul, and Sundays are dedicated to hours of uninterrupted Blues. As well as one of the places to eat in Melbourne, just bring along $10 – $13 for the entry over the weekend and big heart susceptible to Rock n’ Roll.

103 Flinders Lane
Melbourne
VIC 3000,
(03) 9639 8122

The Tote Hotel

Full of character, intriguing history and a ghost, The Tote Hotel prides itself on being one of the original Rock n’ Roll venues. Supposedly a betting shop turned bar, this place is rumoured to be a honeypot for attractive Rock kids with good taste. If you arrive and are sadly disappointed with the selection of potential lovers at least you’ve discovered a totally unique place to enjoy live music and sweaty dancing! As one of your many things to do in Melbourne. Arrive in the early evening and enjoy a cocktail in their reputable Cobra Lounge, before stumbling downstairs into a crowd of hot and happy fellow music-lovers. You’d be off your rocker not to love this one!

67-71 Johnston Street
Collingwood
VIC 3066
(03)9419 5320

The Old Bar

If you’re wandering the vibrant streets of Fitzroy, and are looking for things to do in Melbourne, then drop in to The Old Bar for ‘live music, drinks and unicorns’. The bar manager happens to be the captain of The Old Bar Unicorns football team, alongside keeping this bar busy by hosting seven nights of live music a week, as well as looking after an art space upstairs. Should the want for tea cosies, hats and scarves ever strike you, they also hold knitting classes here. We’re not messing with you!

Religiously open from 12am-3pm every day of the week, there’s always a little Punk, Indie Rock, Blues and Folk filling out this place in the evenings. It doesn’t serve food and lacks any glamour, but these are from negative characteristics, there’s no better place to stumble upon than a bar that’s a little rough around the edges and all about the music.

74 Johnston Street
Fitzroy
VIC 3065
(03) 9417 4155

By Alexandra Macleod

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