Opening page…
A scene that survived lockout laws and came back smaller, later and more interesting than before.
10 cities with a published scene.
Melbourne has the best small-bar culture in the English-speaking world and a club scene hidden behind unmarked laneway doors. Licences run late and the city rewards knowing where to look.
Sydney lost a decade to the lockout laws and is still rebuilding. What survived is smaller and more determined; do not expect Melbourne’s density, and do go early.
Brisbane's night still concentrates in Fortitude Valley, where multi-room superclubs, a long-running queer megaclub and house rooms sit a few blocks apart around Ann, Wickham and Brunswick Streets.
Explore our editors’ venue rankings across Australia.
Ranked among The World's 50 Best Bars, this intimate pub tucked into a heritage church cottage pairs freezer martinis and milk punch with an audiophile Tannoy sound system spinning vinyl until late.
Byron Bay’s iconic beachfront institution perched on Main Beach, renowned worldwide for sun-soaked beer garden afternoons, live acoustic sets, and vibrant oceanfront sunset DJ sessions.