Melbourne is Australia’s second-largest city and its artistic capital. There are a lot of sporting events, museums, and entertainment options throughout the city. Like many destinations in Australia, it is a popular stop-over for backpacker enthusiasts. Some people visit to watch a sporting event while others use it as a gateway to exploring the surrounding areas. Also, there are plenty of party hostels for those looking to have a good time and socialize. So, read on to find the best party hostels and more!
By Lizzy
Top 5 Hostels in Melbourne:
- 1. Home at The Mansion
- 2. United Backpackers
- 3. Base St Kilda
- 4. The Ritz for Backpackers
- 5. The Nunnery
The 5 Best Party Hostels in Melbourne
Home at The Mansion
Price: $17.61 to $30.63
Completed in 1901, this hostel is incomparable: Home at The Mansion is a castle with only 16 rooms. It is also located near Brunswick St, China town, the free city circle tram-line, Carlton Gardens, Federation Square, and the MCG. The hostel location is excellent for seeing the best attractions in the city. If you are traveling alone, Victoria’s Secret cafe bar is the perfect place to meet new friends from fellow travelers. The hostel’s rooms have stained glass windows, high ceilings, and heaps of natural light. However, the hostel does not accept guests who are under the age of 18. Read more..
- Located near the tram-line
- popular tourist spots
United Backpackers
Price: $22.97 to $37.29
United Backpackers is undoubtedly the best hostel in Melbourne because it has a great location just opposite the famous Flinders Street Station in the heart of Melbourne. Also, they offer brand new facilities, a lot of space to chill or play, a basement bar, and free Wi-Fi in common areas. Also, this hostel is full of personality, which is influenced by Melbourne’s laneway culture, funky decor, and quirky art. What makes it even better is a great atmosphere, free events, and tours every day, top-notch security, and very accommodating local staff who are always happy to help. The basement bar called Lost & Found is open throughout the week, and it offers different events every night. So, it is perfect for solo travelers who want to meet new people. They also offer free food on some nights. The hostel offers free city maps, Wi-Fi, linen, and breakfast while towels are available for hire.
- Located in the city center
- Excellent amenities
- They have lots of activities in the bar
Base St Kilda
Price: $15.32 to $31.44
Base St Kilda is the most famous party hostel in Melbourne. It has an on-site bar, the Red Eye Bar, which hosts live music and DJs every night. Also, there are nightly events such as free barbecues for guests, trivia nights, and ladies’ night. There are also meal nights, where they offer affordable dining options for its guests.
Other amenities in the hostel include a large common area, a travel desk with travel information, and television, secure lockers, a full kitchen for guests to use, 24-hour security, and a luggage storage area.
Females have access to the female-only area where shampoo and conditioner are provided, and free champagne is available from 6 pm until 7 pm, among other things. Read more..
- Live music and DJs in the bar
- Affordable meals
- Above-average service
The Ritz for Backpackers
Price: $17.61 to $22.97
Located in one of the best districts in Melbourne, The Ritz for Backpackers is right in the midst of the beach suburb of St. Kilda. It is located near some of the area’s best nightclubs and bars as well as restaurants, shops, cafes, and pubs. It’s just a stone’s throw away from the beach, and the tram can take you to the city.
Just downstairs, you’ll come across a British Pub that hosts nightly dinner specials and evening activities. You can also unwind in the hostel’s television lounge, play pool with other guests, or catch up with friends at the internet cafe.
There are daily activities, including free wine and cheese nights, pool competitions, and several party nights. They also offer discounted tours to guests. It is a great hostel if you’re looking for fun and relaxation all in one place. Read more..
- Very close to St. Kilda
- The pub always has a new activity daily
The Nunnery
Price: $21.44 to $34.46
The Nunnery is a beautiful old structure with elegant shared and private rooms along with lounge areas and courtyards for hanging out after a stressful day. Located in the super hip Fitzroy and only a short 10min stroll to the city, 19th-century charm meets the freshness of modern-day Melbourne in this unique hostel. It’s perfect for travelers wanting to experience the best of Melbourne’s live music, bars, and cafes and around Fitzroy along with famed laneway nightlife of the city. The Nuns (staff) help creates a relaxed and fun home away from home by offering free breakfast every day. They also provide free weekly pub crawls, soup nights, and BBQs with wine also supplied. This beautiful old Nunnery was erected in 1888, and it features exceptionally detailed stained glass windows, outdoor balconies, and grand staircases. The lovely vintage charm and character have been kept in good condition over the years, which adds to the chill and friendly atmosphere of the hostel. Also, they offer both exquisite dormitory rooms as well as beautiful private rooms in the Guesthouse next door, which has its kitchen and bathroom for those wanting the privacy of their office. They also offer free city maps, linen, towels, and breakfast are included. In addition, bicycles are available for hire. Read more..
- Beautiful architecture and interior design
- Located in the hip part of Melbourne
- Friendly staff
How is Melbourne’s Nightlife?
Melbourne is a very trendy city that has nothing to envy to the major European capitals like Berlin, London, and Paris. Local stylish and glamorous boutiques and shops are located throughout the city. The main attractions in the city are the Federation Square (the meeting place of everyone in Melbourne) and the ‘Eureka Tower (which is the highest inhabited building in the world). On the top floor of the skyscraper is a viewing platform (Eureka Skydeck) that protrudes beyond the facade and allows you to admire the cityscape while you float in space over 300 meters high. Upstairs there is the ‘Eureka 89, an elegant lounge bar with breathtaking views.
Melbourne is a fantastic place also for its cuisine, music, and art: with vibrant street art and active hipster culture, this Australian metropolis has a large selection of great food and beautiful bar. Even the Melbourne nightlife can rival the world’s great capitals.
The city has seen a boom of bars and nightclubs in recent years and is animated by a young and lively atmosphere. Its narrow streets and its streets are full of great bars in which to make friends and to stay up late: It may also find good nightlife in unexpected places.
Even the clubs in Melbourne are not lacking, and there are so many: you will not be spoiled for choice! Generally, the entrance to the disco is a fee and varies between 15 and 30 AUD, Depending on the night. Usually, at the weekend the bars and clubs are open until 3 in the morning, discos also close later.
The Best and Most Popular Bars in Melbourne
Having some of the best bars on the continent, Melbourne is packed full of vibrant and highly social places, where you can savor a quiet drink with your partner or a wild cocktail with your friends. The Central Business District, the center of Melbourne, hosts some of the coolest bars around, with secret entrances, themed-private rooms, and specialty bars.
Madame Brussels
If you want a little bit of vulgar, tongue-in-cheek fun, there is no better place to go than Madame Brussels rooftop bar. The entrance is hidden away, but once you’ve made your way up to the rooftop, you get into another world, comparable to something straight from The Mad Hatters Tea Party. Madame Brussels got its name from a ‘Madame’ who was famous for her unconventional lifestyle. The bar’s current owner, the equally outrageous but amiable Miss Pearls, requires her staff to dress in tennis gear. They do so while serving jugs of cocktails to customers who are sitting at tables with umbrellas placed on fake grass. The Drinkipoos (as the punch style cocktails in the bar) are creative and fun. Also, a lot of snacks are available such as toasted sandwiches, dips, and slices of bread, French cheese plates, and even cupcakes. Outdoor seating is also available, which offers breathtaking views over the city, and there are heaters and blankets provided for outdoor socializing.
Eau de Vie
Behind an unmarked door and hidden away in Melbourne’s Malthouse alley, is the intimate Art Deco-inspired Eau de Vie bar. Here, the cocktail preparation is pure theatre. Modeled on a 1920’s speakeasy, with jazz music playing in the background, it even hosts a dedicated whiskey room hidden behind a fake bookcase, with the most unbelievable whiskey menu. If you choose to stay at the Main bar, you can experience the show and watch the cocktail preparation (complete with blow torches and liquid nitrogen). Or visit with friends and book a five-course cocktail menu at the degustation table bar. For those who need to have a little sip of cocktails and whiskey, there is a wide range of charcuterie and cheeses as well as more filling dishes.
Ferdydurke
To reach this Polish-inspired bar, you have to pass through a secret side door and climb several flights of stairs passing through modern wall art. At the top, you will reach a lofty space of exposed bricks and beams along with a fireplace at the other end for cozy winter nights. As it has limited seating, you should try to get a table with a view looking out of the large windows. The bar also has an extensive menu of beers, cocktails, and spirits ever seen in Melbourne. Aside from that, they also serve incredible Polish food such as the Piroshki (sour cream pastry parcels), Little Lebowski (mini pulled pork burgers), and Polish doughnuts for dessert. Plus, there’s also good live music events laid on throughout the year, which will always ensure you have a great time at Ferdydurke.
1806
1806 is an effortlessly classy venue. With its wood paneling and red velvet chairs, 1806 has a beautiful mezzanine allowing you to sit upstairs and watch the bartenders downstairs while mixing cocktails. As for the bar’s name, 1806 was the year the term cocktail was coined, so their extensive cocktail menu will teach you of their history. Also, booking is essential, and you can have a cocktail master class at your table. In case you were wondering, shared snacks and plates are also available.
Bar Ampere
Opened in 2013 by impressively artistic owners, Bar Ampere is a Gothic-style bar specializing in the mother of all spirits – absinthe. The bar’s decor includes exposed power cords, bare bulbs dangling from ceilings, and graffitied concrete walls. Also, the central bar has an illuminated wall composed of wine bottles. You can explore the eerie Swamp Room, with ‘creepers’ furnished with fairy lights hanging on the walls. The room also has a secret escape route, which leads to the nearby Gin Palace. There is an impressive array of digestifs, aperitifs, wines, and cocktails, and food and drink are served until 3 am on weekdays. But if you want to chill, sit out in the high covered alcove seating area and watch the world go by around you.
About Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and biggest city of Victoria and Australia’s second-largest city. Focused around a central town, Greater Melbourne’s area of approximately 9900 km² of suburbs spread more than 40 km towards the south, 30 km towards the east, 20km towards the north, and sprawl across vast, flat basalt plains to the west.
The municipality of Melbourne includes metropolitan Melbourne’s inner suburbs, including the central city. Our municipality is around 37 km² and shares its borders with seven other councils. The city of Melbourne is the gateway to Victoria, the seat of the Victorian Government, and the headquarters of many local, national, and international companies, peak bodies, and government and non-government agencies.
If you’re not done partying yet, we recommend you to also visit Sydney. Besides these Australian cities, you might also be interested in cheaper Asian locations such as Hanoi, Bali and Bangkok.
Lizzy
Traveler & Blogger
Hi, I’m Lizzy! In the past 10 years I’ve travelled 60 countries and I’m still counting. While I was backpacking I could not find a website that provides valuable information about hostels. After months of thinking, doubting and brainstorming, hostelstobook.com was born.
I hope to make your trip easier, so you’d only stay in the best hostels around the globe. Do you have any questions? Don’t hesitate to send me a message.
Frequently Asked Questions
By limiting needless expenses and practice good spending habits, you’ll be able to have enough money for Melbourne and still have a great time on your trip. The average daily budget for Melbourne is around $75-$90.
We recommend that you visit 29th Apartment on a Tuesday night. This New York apartment-style bar is a favorite in St Kilda for its quirky decor, good tunes, and the famous giant Jenga game. The cozy little hideout is sophisticated yet relaxed enough to be your new favorite watering hole.
Open up the 1970s era Kelvinator fridge to reach a world full of board games, including Battleship and “Guess Who?”, Scrabble and chess.
If you don’t want to head out but still want to party, the hostels in the list above have excellent bars. Some of them even have live music and DJs every night.
Melbourne is famous for its markets, which has everything from local produce, vintage fashion, and arts and crafts. Get in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the Queen Victoria Markets, the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere. You can take a bus from there to the South Melbourne Market, and enjoy dim sum or street-style Mexican food under its historic canopy. On weekends, you can buy handmade pieces from rising Australian designers at the Rose St. Artists’ Market in Fitzroy, just a quick tram ride from the city center.
The best times to head to Melbourne are between March to May and September to November. These shoulder seasons feature moderate temperatures and tourist crowds, plus lower airfare rates.
A permanent lockout did not push through after the trial was over. The lockout prohibited patrons from entering pubs, bars, and nightclubs after 2 am in designated areas, which included the council areas of Port Phillip, Stonnington, Melbourne (including the Docklands), and Yarra.