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SIT: Back in our favourite Melbourne vinyl bars.

It’s common knowledge that a solid playlist has the ability to transform a good night out into a great one. Taking cues from Tokyo’s famous ‘listening bars’ (spaces more about sonic discovery than socialisation), an increasing number of Melbourne venues are putting music at the forefront of their offering – bringing in hi-fi sound systems, rare vinyl collections, and DJ sets to boot. In a city as infatuated with music as it is with food and wine, we think it’s a match made in heaven.

From recording studios behind secret doors to Euro-style wine bars with vinyl on rotation, here’s a list of our four favourite music rooms for your next night out on the town.

Waxflower
A pioneer of the Melbourne music room movement, Waxflower marries the spirit of a European wine bar with a typical Japanese jazz kissa. Slurp oysters, sip wine and enjoy a cool curation of tunes spun on vintage turntables imported from London. If drinks roll into dinner, the menu is well-equipped with a selection of mouth-watering Latin American share plates.
Book in here.

Music Room
When Her Bar opened its doors last February, it very quickly made a name for itself as Melbourne’s go-to after work drinks spot – the result of Instagrammable interiors, an impressive drinks list and a particularly vibey rooftop. The venue’s hidden gem, however, is the music room hidden on the second level. Designed to look like a giant speaker, the intimate space features a library of over 3000 records, doubles as a recording studio, and hosts weekly DJ sets from undiscovered artists and big names alike.
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Hope St Radio
No list of music venues would be complete without a mention of Hope St Radio. Having existed as an online broadcasting platform for many years, the community radio station made Collingwood Yards its permanent home in 2021 in the form of a vibrant neighbourhood wine bar. Live streaming emerging Australian DJs while serving up a melange of tasty morsels by culinary darling Ellie Bouhadana, this unique venue is any foodie or audiophile’s dream.
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Alley Tunes
Part-record store, part-coffee shop, Alley Tunes has proved the music room trend isn’t exclusive to the evenings – or the inner-north for that matter. Tucked away in Hawthorn’s historic Glenferrie Arcade, the relaxed haunt plays host to one of Melbourne’s best record collections with a particular focus on underground dance music. Have a browse before unwinding with a long black in the laneway alfresco area.
Book in here.