The 10 best fun things to do in Melbourne for couples at night you probably haven’t tried yet
Since Melbourne is all about the nightlife, why not stretch out your date plans into the evening? If you’re in the mood for something playful, quieter, or thrilling, there’s nothing better than discovering a place you’ve never been before.
And trust me, we’re not just going to talk about bars or clubs here. There’s plenty of date night ideas in Melbourne that can make memorable moments you’ll surely talk about.
If you’re ready to spice up your night, you might get some ideas from the list below!
1. Enjoy a rooftop dinner with city views at Loop Roof
Media credit: Loop Roof
Website: http://www.looprooftopbar.com.au/
Address: 3/23 Meyers Plt
Phone: +61481785190
Operating hours:
- Wednesday and Thursday 4:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Friday 2:00 pm – 1:00 am
- Saturday 12:00 pm – 1:00 am
Loop Roof is a pretty iconic spot in Melbourne. As an award-winning rooftop restaurant, you’ll be greeted by a lush garden space, an open sky view, and a good selection of food and drinks.
The hours here stretch until 11 pm, which is ideal for a scenic date night. On Fridays and Saturdays, it goes late until 1 am.
You’ll find bar-style food on the menu, such as calamari and chicken parma. Most options are shareable and go well with the drink selection; mostly creative cocktails, local wines, and craft beers.
It’s a pretty straightforward date night spot: just you and your partner, good food, great drinks, and a stunning skyline view.
And you don’t have to worry about the weather. The retractable awnings, heaters, and misters keep the place comfortable all year long.
Pro tip:
Every Monday and Tuesday night, Loop Roof holds an arts program where they feature special events such as creative forums, film and comedy nights, and more.
2. Catch the best comedians at Comedy Republic
Media credit: kyrannicholson
Website: https://www.comedyrepublic.com.au/
Address: 231 Bourke S
Phone: +61396546836
Operating hours: Tuesday to Saturday 5:00 pm – 12:00 am
If you want a date that’s light yet will leave you laughing until your cheeks hurt, Comedy Republic is the place to go. This place serves big laughs with impressive lineups from both local and international comedic talent.
Their signature shows ‘Main Stage’ and ‘Good Company’ run every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. For other nights, the theatre shows an array of performances such as stand-up, sketch, cabaret, and more.
There’s no downtime here because the live shows keep coming all year round.
Pro tip:
All tickets for Comedy Republic are free seating, so it’s best to arrive early before the show starts. You can grab a drink from the bar while waiting!
3. Explore the Royal Botanic Gardens
Media credit: Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria
Website: https://www.rbg.vic.gov.au/
Phone: +61392522300
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
If you want to simply enjoy each other’s company without a fuss, the Royal Botanic Gardens is a great option. The place is brimming with guided tours, special events, and activities.
One notable event here is “Landscapes,” an annual nighttime event featuring installations from local and international artists. It’s an award-winning event where the dates and details vary each year.
Royal Botanic Gardens is also the home of the famous Moonlight Cinema, where you can enjoy a movie under the stars. But even without these occasions, you can simply stroll around or have a picnic while enjoying the night breeze.
Pro tip:
Melbourne nights can be chilly, especially at an open space like the Royal Botanic Gardens. Make sure to dress in layers and don’t forget some insect repellent.
4. Take a thrilling tour at Old Melbourne Gaol
Media credit: Old Melbourne Gaol
Website: http://www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au/
Address: 377 Russell St.
Phone: +61396569889
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Originally, the Old Melbourne Gaol was a jail and a place of brutal punishment and execution for criminals. This is where Ned Kelly, Australia’s most notorious outlaw, met his end.
Today, the Old Melbourne Gaol is a renowned museum offering guided tours and interactive exhibitions. Their nighttime tours, in particular, will surely bring you an experience that’ll send shivers down your spine.
There’s the ‘Ned Kelly’s Last Stand’ night tour, where you’ll get to retrace Kelly’s final days before his execution, including his trial.
For something more intense, the ‘Ghosts? What Ghosts?’ night tour offers a haunting experience, where you’ll hear about decades’ worth of unexplained and mysterious occurrences within the walls of the place in dark and confined spaces.
If you want to try something different from the usual romantic date nights, give this a try.
Pro tip:
The museum is open until 5 pm. To ensure that you’ll have enough time to see everything without rushing, we suggest arriving no later than 3:30 pm.
5. Enjoy sweet treats at Kariton Sorbetes
Media credit: KARITON
Website: http://www.karitonsorbetes.com/
Address: 177 Russell St.
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Thursday and Friday 1:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Saturday 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm
- Sunday 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
You know what they say: a date doesn’t have to be fancy all the time. Sometimes, grabbing a quick, sweet treat at ungodly hours is all you need for a nighttime date.
At Kariton Sorbetes, you’ll get your hands on Filipino-inspired gelato, sorbets, and other desserts. Their bestselling gelatos are freshly churned every day, offering classic Filipino flavors such as ube halaya, mango float, brazo de mercedes, and more.
The place has a selection of over 25 classic flavors and a few quirky specials that rotate every two weeks.
This, while strolling through Melbourne’s Chinatown, makes for a simple yet memorable date night.
Pro tip:
If you’re vegan or can’t consume dairy, their sorbet selection is 100% plant-based and has a lower sugar content.
6. Paint each other at Paint for Fun
Media credit: Paint for Fun
Website: https://paintforfun.com.au/
Address: 252 Graham St, Port Melbourne
Phone: +61401534356
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday and Friday 9:00 am – 9:30 pm
- Saturday 1:00 pm – 9:30 pm
- Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
There’s nothing quirkier than taking up an art class where you try to paint a portrait of your partner. And it’s not a problem if you have no experience because you’ll get step-by-step guidance from an expert instructor.
You don’t really have to take it seriously, though, because it’s all for the laughs! And the best part is that the place will provide everything you need, from acrylic paints to brushes.
The public classes will have you join sessions with up to 40 people; if you prefer a more intimate setting, private classes are available too.
Pro tip:
Since it’s a paint-and-sip class, feel free to BYO food and alcohol. Also, don’t forget to bring an ID. Entry is strictly supervised as minors must be accompanied by adults.
7. Try the Moonlit Bathing at Peninsula Hot Springs
Media credit: Peninsula Hot Springs
Website: https://www.peninsulahotsprings.com
Address: 140 Springs Ln, Fingal
Phone: +61359508777
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
- Friday 7:00 am – 2:00 am
- Saturday 5:00 am – 2:00 am
- Sunday 5:00 am – 11:00 pm
If you want a rejuvenating experience under the stars, you can check out Peninsula Hot Springs’ pools after dark. Their ‘Moonlit Bathing’ experience allows access to the adults-only Spa Dreaming Centre every Friday and Saturday from 10 pm to 2 am.
You’ll get to experience their wellness pools, such as the sauna, hammams, and more. And not only that, they also offer a supper menu consisting of organic foods and refreshments.
Alternatively, if the 10 pm – 2 am time frame is not ideal for you, the ‘Revitalize Twilight’ bathing is a great option. It’s a nature-infused bathhouse that’s open from 6 pm to 10 pm and comes with options for healthy snacks or a full meal.
Pro tip:
The Moonlit Bathing is only available for guests over 18 and guests must arrive at their confirmed arrival time. Late arrivals will be denied entry.
8. Enjoy food, drinks, and music at Her Melbourne
Media credit: HER Melbourne
Website: http://www.her.melbourne/
Address: 270 Lonsdale St.
Phone: +61399970437
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday 11:30 am – 1:00 am
- Thursday and Sunday 11:30 am – 2:00 am
- Friday and Saturday 11:30 am – 3:00 am
Food, music, and art come together until after hours in this multi-storey bar on Lonsdale Street. Every floor has its distinct theme, offering different levels of ‘fun’ as you work your way to the top floor.
At the ground floor, you’ll find HER bar serving European-inspired dishes and drinks. If you enjoy lounging with good music and drinks, you’ll love the Music Room on level one.
On level three, BKK is a night market-like canteen bustling with Thai BBQ offerings.
And at the top, HER Rooftop offers all-day and night food, drink, and lounge packages. The rooftop crowns the whole date night experience with a city skyline view.
Pro tip:
If you’re planning to check out all floors, make sure you make the right reservations, as not all floors accept walk-ins.
9. Get competitive with a late-night arcade game at Kingpin Crown
Media credit: Kingpin
Website: https://www.kingpinplay.com/en-au
Address: 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
Phone: +61390211414
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 10:00 am – 2:00 am
Nothing makes a simple date night wilder than going to a late-night arcade at Kingpin Crown. There are many fun activities here that’ll make your night more lively, including arcades, escape rooms, karaoke, and so much more.
If you’re looking for a lively place and you love competing with each other, you’ll surely have the time of your life here.
They also have an in-house bistro, where you can grab some food and drinks during downtime. Some games, like bowling, wrap up at midnight on most days, but the arcade remains open until 2 am.
Pro tip:
If you spend $65 on food in a single transaction, you’ll get a complimentary Kingpin arcade credit worth $20.
10. Explore Melbourne Museum after dark
Media credit: Melbourne Museum
Website: https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum
Address: 11 Nicholson St, Carlton
Phone: +61 131102
Operating hours: Monday to Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Every month, Melbourne Museum lights up after hours to launch its ‘Nocturnal: Museum After Dark’ series. This series is an adults-only event that typically runs on the second Thursday of every month.
This event has two levels of exhibitions, interactive displays, and a program of talks led by experts. This is the ideal date night if you’re both science nerds and love learning about the wonders of our universe — though it’s not all about science.
There’s also a special lineup of music from a famous DJ with specialty cocktails and food. This is the perfect date night venue if you want a child-free space.
Pro tip:
This event has a different theme every month. If you want to plan ahead, you can check out their website to learn more about their next themes in the coming months.