Melbourne’s Best Party Venues

The Auburn Hotel is a heritage-style building that offers a stylish way to party in the east, with a bar, lounge area and a massive outdoor courtyard with a retractable roof. Located in Hawthorn, the Auburn Hotel always has a vibrant atmosphere and great spaces for any kind of party.

Level One has a private bar, separate lounge areas, and a spacious balcony exclusively for you and 150 of your mates, and the Club Room boasts an open fireplace and space for slightly fewer (40) party animals.

The big beer garden is where it’s at, though, complete with picnic tables, umbrellas, and cozy chimeneas; it’s perfect year-round. The East Room is another excellent choice for smaller gatherings, or there’s the Corner Room, which is our pick for sit-down dinners and cocktail parties. There’s even more options than this as well, so basically, throw a party at the Auburn Hotel; they have everything you need.

Head to the backstreets of Prahran to find the College Lawn Hotel, a true neighbourhood institution boasting a lounge bar, public bar, bottle shop, restaurant, courtyard, and an epic beer garden. They have happy hours, live sports and dog-friendly days (plus their legendary Sunday sessions). If you like to party with cocktails, live tunes, plenty of beers on tap, a backdrop of lush greenery, and, did we mention DOGS, then get your behind down here.

If you want to book a shindig in the Beer Garden, there are BBQ packages to choose from, all of which come with your very own chef! The Courtyard Bar has a private bar, dining area, and cocktail space, and the Terrace allows you to enjoy an exclusive area while still having easy access to the main bar and the outdoor beer garden. This place is a hub of good times, so bring your party vibe on in!

Harlow has a new look and a variety of spaces that cater to different party vibes. The ground floor is great for a casual catch-up, but the split-level beer garden is the spot for those who want to soak up the sun. The basement bar is covered in neon, with a bit more of a grunge feel. The dog-friendly courtyard has festoon lighting and street art, with weekend DJs to provide the perfect soundtrack for your gathering.

Harlow will also cater to your party needs with loads and loads of delicious small bites, including mouth-watering of vegan and vegetarian options (the hefty vegan burger is a must-try.) Party-goers should also note that Harlow’s rooftop is referred to as Disco Island! Inspired by a European summer holiday, with Greek-inspired bites and cocktails that go on for days and days, it’s what partying is all about, really.

Yarra Botanica is a year-round floating bar; a two-storey pontoon with a drinks menu that is entirely sourced from within the state (as is the majority of the food menu). Party with a spectacular view and space for almost 700 guests across two open levels. Chill under oversized umbrellas and lattice pergolas while enjoying the riverside breeze as you work your way through the 12-strong tap list.

Wine enthusiasts will appreciate the carefully curated selection that tours Victoria’s leading wine regions, and the matching menu is perfect for sharing and snacking. The sourdough pizzas are the true highlight, and you can enjoy them with your crew in one of the four different party areas. Groups from 30 – 550 people can book out sections of the floating venue to enjoy some time together on the water, right in the heart of the city!

The Espy is a true institution in every sense of the word. Known as one of Melbourne’s most iconic live music venues, there were parties at the Espy before most Australians knew what a party was! The Hotel Esplanade has 12 distinct bars spread across five levels. There’s the Public Bar with large screens broadcasting live sport, the Balcony Bar for views over St. Kilda and the very special Mya Tiger…

Mya Tiger is a unique addition to The Espy, featuring luxurious green velvet booths, a hand-painted mural, and a green marble bar serving vibrant cocktails inspired by Cantonese flavours. The Ghost of Alfred Felton floor offers a more intimate, sophisticated vibe with a private bar and baby piano, the perfect place to sip on the unique flavours from the Espy’s in-house barrel-aging program.

Everyone likes a party that is easy to get to (and home from), and the Garden State Hotel on Flinders Lane is exactly that. Thanks to its sprawling tiered beer garden, this multi-level wonderland is designed for good times. It seamlessly melds the indoors and outdoors to the point that you’ll forget you are smack-bang in the middle of the city!

The beer garden is laced with lush greenery and towering ficus trees, creating a unique setting for your party The Rose Garden in the basement level offers an eclectic cocktail bar experience to catch up with friends over something delicious, and the Observatory is one of the premier function spaces in Melbourne. With a private balcony that provides dazzling views of the enchanting venue and city, you can spend the night on the dance floor with up to 120 guests.

Finally, the Balcony Dining Room is a secluded space perfect for intimate celebrations backed by Melbourne’s skyline. All of these options make for an awesome party spot that everyone can get to with ease; what more could you want?

The Prahran Hotel has that endearing local pub feel across three visually unique bars, each with its own character and charm, making it the perfect place to party in every way possible. At the core of The Prahran Hotel lies the Art Deco Public Bar, a charming and inviting space where you can enjoy a drink, watch the footy, and soak in the warm ambience.

The Garden Bar features a private bar area, a courtyard, a dance floor, and the signature Prahran Hotel pipes. This stylish space is one of the coolest in Melbourne (in our humble opinion), and you can split it up for smaller hangs.

The Upton Bar is the epitome of glamour and versatility. Located upstairs, it overlooks the courtyard below and serves as a premier events room. If you’re planning a cocktail wedding, corporate event, private party, or seated celebration, the Upton Bar is the section to choose. The Prahran Hotel’s dynamic spaces make it perfect for every event, and your pictures will look great as a result, trust us.

We’re nearing the end of our list, and there are plenty of options above that will definitely suit your needs, but it’s Melbourne, so here we have some more. We would like to present The Posty for your consideration as well. This boutique venue was once, you guessed it, a bustling post office but is now the spot for wood-fired pizzas and cold beer.

The wood-fired pizzas are the drawcard, but the warm and welcoming dining lounge is a great spot to gather with friends and par-tay. For those who prefer to bask outdoors, the Posty offers a picturesque beer garden that overlooks the bustling Swan Street. The best part? The Posty can be hired out entirely, offering access to both of these spaces as an ideal setting for a range of occasions. The menu features tempting grazing items and, of course, the very shareable (and delicious) pizzas. Pop down and fall in love with this little charmer.

We have one more spot for you to consider for your partying, and as we mentioned at the top, last is most certainly not least. It may even be the opposite as Holliava in Richmond is one of the finer spots to party along Swan Street. You’ll find people heading here for pre-drinks before sporting and live music events all the time, but it is also great for gatherings that last the whole night!

Holliava offers a range of flexible packages and a variety of spaces to suit every party. The front room space is a semi-private area that can be booked for up to 30 people and features a flat-screen TV, two shoulder bars with stools, a pool table, and bi-fold front windows that offer a view of Swan Street. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy drinks and good company.

Alternatively, the fireplace booths provide a cozy and inviting space for up to 20 people or larger gatherings of up to 50 people. The beer garden is another popular choice for events and has a private bar. It can also be set up for banquet seating and divided and hired for groups of 60 or less.

It’s adaptable, it’s fun, and it’s a place you need to check out for a possible party locale. Holliava’s friendly staff know how to make sure you and the gang have a roaring good time.