The where did the night go bit

This is the bit where we take a sharp turn off the beaten track and head deep, deep into the vibrant, ever-changing heart of Melbourne.

Laneways – just to whisper the name evokes a riotous colour of street art, the scent of freshly roasted coffee, cutting edge boutiques, chic restaurants, and bars - soooo many hidden bars. And forget maps, things change so quickly around here that you’re better off just following your instincts.

Discover

AC/DC Lane, Melbourne. Street art by Mike Makatron.

ACDC Lane

Streets
Named after the Australian musical heroes, ACDC Lane is the physical embodiment of Melbourne's love affair with rock 'n' roll.
Centre Place, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Robert Blackburn

Centre Place

Streets
Despite being Melbourne's quintessential laneway, Centre Place still surprises and delights with its wild street art, boutiques and buzzing cafes.
Degraves Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Robert Blackburn

Degraves Street

Streets
Join the happy hubbub in the cafes, boutiques and eateries on this iconic laneway between the city's fashion precinct and Flinders Street Station.
Drewery Lane, Melbourne, Victoria. Photo by Ray Reyes.

Drewery Lane

Streets
Wander Drewery Lane between Lonsdale and Little Lonsdale Streets for street art, Japanese-inspired baked goods, and rooftop cocktails.
Duckboard Place, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Duckboard Place

Streets
Once the place where World War II troops came to let off steam, the lane is now a chic playground for local foodies, wine lovers and artists.
Chin Chin, Flinders Lane, Melbourne, Victoria.

Flinders Lane

Destinations
Melbourne's laneway HQ, Flinders Lane is a hotspot for award-winning fine diners and boutique bars, contemporary galleries and local fashion labels.
Hardware Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Photo: Robert Blackburn

Hardware Lane

Streets
A breezier version of Melbourne's gritty hideaways, Hardware Lane is a sociable and popular spot for revellers and foodies.
couple walking up hosier lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Hosier Lane

Public art
Wander down the bluestone laneway and take in the dizzying array of colours and characters created by local and international street artists.
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Dining out

More laneway restaurants
San Telmo, Melbourne, Victoria

San Telmo

Restaurants
Tastefully decorated to create an authentic, old-world bodega atmosphere, San Telmo is famous for its imported 2.5-metre parilla (charcoal grill).
Becco, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Becco

Restaurants
Enjoy an evening of understated Italian elegance at this hatted restaurant on Crossley Street. Delight in the beef carpaccio or almond praline gelato.
Cumulus Inc. Eating House & Bar

Cumulus Inc.

Restaurants
This loft-inspired restaurant, hatted by the Good Food Guide boasts a drinking bar, an eating bar and regular tables for serious eating.
Pearl meat sauté at Flower Drum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Flower Drum

Restaurants
Create a special occasion so you can head to Flower Drum for novel Cantonese fare that has garnered two hats in the Good Food Guide.
Tres a Cinco, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Tres a Cinco

Bars
Frank Camorra of Movida fame lures your tastebuds to Mexico for top-notch tacos, tequila and ceviche. Salud!
Movida, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

MoVida

Restaurants
Assembling the menu for Melbourne's favourite date restaurant, MoVida chef Frank Camorra scoured Spain for the finest bite-size comestibles.
Shoya, Melbourne

Shoya

Restaurants
It's worth learning the Japanese for 'throw another shrimp on the barbie' because you'll want more from the BBQ before belting out a karaoke classic.
Plates of food and drink from Chin Chin in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Chin Chin

Restaurants
Pick your favourite friends and settle in for a fun group date over sharing plates of fresh, spicy Thai food and plentiful wine.
Hutong Dumpling Bar, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

HuTong Dumpling Bar

Restaurants
Demand is deservedly high here for an alluring menu of homemade dim sum, especially the exquisite xiao long bao, and other provincial delights.

Late night shenanigans

Shows the interior of the bar in the middle of day, with people dancing, ordering drinks and sitting

Section 8

Entertainment
Section 8 is as 'Melbourne' as it gets.Set on the site of a former carpark with seating made from recycled timber pallets and a converted shipping container...
Beneath Driver Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Beneath Driver Lane

Bars
Discover the booming market underground in a former money vault. Beneath Driver Lane is a worthy investment for fine whisky and cocktails.
Gin Palace, Melbourne, Australia

Gin Palace

Bars
The original '90s laneway cocktail bar, Gin Palace draws a crowd from early doors to the early hours, with gin, naturally the star.
Eu de Vie, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Eau de Vie

Bars
When your bartender has to don gloves and goggles to prepare your cocktail, you know that this is something they take very seriously.
Double Happiness, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Double Happiness

Bars
Get double the happiness thanks to Chinese-themed fun, like Chairman Mao decor, bubble tea cocktails, dumplings and Kung Fu movie nights.
Trinket Bar Melbourne

Trinket Bar

Bars
Walk into a cocktail treasure trove at Trinket Bar on Flinders Lane, with everything from a pizza restaurant to a hidden cellar bar.
Juliet, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Juliet

Bars
Below big sis Punch Lane, this elegant bar delivers top drops by top female winemakers and a woozy, oozy raclette under its signature pink neon glow.

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Lucy Folk, Crossley Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

48 hours: Laneways

Lose yourself among bars and boutiques, galleries and street art, and high-end restaurants and hole-in-the-wall cafes in Melbourne's famous laneways.
Block Arcade, Melbourne, Victoria

Arcades

Destinations
Do a modern version of "the block", a century-old form of cruising Melbourne's arcades that takes in cutting-edge artwork, fashion, music and design.
Chinatown, Melbourne, Victoria

Laneway dining

Food & wine
Dine like a local and find some of the city's favourite eateries tucked away upstairs, downstairs and behind bustling queues in Melbourne's laneways.
Lucy Liu, Melbourne, Victoria

Laneways and round the corner quirks

Every bit different
Ready for fun that lasts from your morning coffee through to last call? Wind through the labrynth of Melbourne's laneways for caffeine, booze, art and all the fun stuff.