While Australia may be known for its blistering summer weather, pristine beaches, and practically every dangerous animal on Planet Earth, it has built a nightlife scene that could rival the best.
Whether you choose to party along the Gold Coast or in the bustling city of Sydney, you won’t struggle to find the perfect club venue. So pack your clubbing essentials and your favourite vape pen, and head out into town to party the night away in some of Australia’s hottest nightclubs.
The Night Cat, Melbourne
The Night Cat is a darkly red-lit band venue with an unmatched electric vibe. The club has been designed with a stage right in the centre of the room, ensuring that all patrons have a great view of their favourite acts on any given night.
It has become a Fitzroy institution with a diverse line-up that includes jazz, funk music, and reggae. This is the place for those looking for a club that moves away from traditional techno and house music.
Home The Venue, Sydney
Home The Venue is located in Cockle Bay on Darling Harbour and is an impressive three-story nightclub that attracts hundreds of locals and tourists alike to experience and enjoy mainstream house music and, on occasion, local live music acts. Its incredible harbour views make it the ideal location for those hoping to dance until the sun rises.
While you can visit this venue any time of the week, the biggest party kicks off on Saturday nights, with pumping R’n’B and Hip Hop classics blasting well into the night. Furthermore, it is also the location of Morning Glory, a prime-day club for Sunday morning festivities.
Fat Controller, Adelaide
Fat Controller is considered one of Australia’s most versatile venues for nightclubbing. It has hosted an endless number of live music acts, DJs and club parties, quickly making a name for itself in the party world.
The dancefloor is made from exposed concrete, giving an open and industrial aesthetic. Cage-style barriers create unique decor statements that may make it feel more like a rock club and less like a dance club. But the venue organisers have yet to miss the mark when it comes to booking the hottest talent in electronic music, with renowned heavyweights like Luigi Madonna and Amelia Lens gracing the stage.
Radar, Melbourne
When the beloved Melbourne club, Lounge, closed its doors in 2018, it left a noticeable gap in the nightclub scene around the city. Many were left to find new spaces to enjoy all-night dance parties and boozy nights out with friends. After all, Lounge had operated for an impressive 29 years and became an institution for many locals and tourists alike.
However, hospitality veteran Maz Salt came to the rescue, taking over the Swanston Street site and injecting new life into it by opening Radar. This exciting new establishment caters to the dance music community, with a Function-One rig blasting tunes until 6 am on weekends. It is also dedicated to promoting and supporting Merlbourne’s live music scene, hosting occasional live music acts throughout the year.
Goros, Sydney
Goros is a new karaoke joint in Sydney that offers an experience unlike any before. This low-lit bar is a cornucopia of bright rainbow neon, Japanese figurines, lanterns, bamboo and three enticing karaoke booths.
The friendly and experienced bartenders are all too happy to steer you towards the wide range of drinks on offer, including the iconic Sake, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Enjoy an Asian twist on the classic Negroni, or treat yourself to delicious highballs created using Japanese whiskies.
Too many drinks may make your singing skills a little sloppy, so be sure to treat yourself to any of the delicious snacks on offer, including dumplings, golden fried tofu and late-night ramen. And for those who prefer not to grace their fellow patrons with off-key singing, the playlist will have you up on your feet with a hip-hop greatest hits mix.
Casablanca, Gold Coast
Casablanca is an upmarket and glamorous nightclub situated along the Gold Coast. It has hosted an array of international music acts and DJs and offers a luxurious 5-star VIP bottle service, making it a must-visit hot spot.
Be sure to plan your visit wisely, as the venue is only open on Friday and Saturday nights from 10 pm to 5 am. Patrons will be treated to a well-curated in-house playlight by resident DJs, which includes all the latest hits, commercial dance music and electrifying remixes. Don’t be surprised if you are still dancing when the sun starts to rise.
Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
The Oxford Art Factory is a 500-person band room that has been operating for more than ten years. This Sydney institution has gained a booming reputation thanks to the calibre of local and international performers it has hosted, including Lady Gaga’s first Australian performance in 2008.
Countless incredible bands have found their start on the small stage in the narrow gallery bar next door to the band room, which hosts a unique ecosystem of live music and late-night entertainment. While owner Mark Gerber had to wither a storm or two during the global shutdown, the Oxford Art Factory is back
