If there’s one thing Melburnians are known to love, it’s their coffee and music.
While Australian culture has long been associated with drinking, recent studies show that this is shifting—Australians are now consuming nearly 30 per cent less alcohol than they were just seven years ago.
In their 2022 research article I Just Don’t Drink: Examining the Experiences of Young Adult Abstainers in Australia’s Changing Drinking Trends, Rahman, Sofija, and Sebar explore the lived experiences of 18–24-year-old abstainers in Australia.
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Their study reveals how young people are navigating social spaces where alcohol is typically expected, and how they assert agency by seeking out or creating alternative, non-drinking activities—highlighting a broader cultural shift toward more inclusive and flexible forms of socialising.
In line with this cultural shift—driven by post-lockdown burnout, changing social habits, and a desire for more intentional connection—Melbourne’s cafés are emerging as unexpected hubs for music, art, and community. These spaces are redefining what it means to “go out,” offering more inclusive and versatile third places where people can celebrate music without the pressure to drink or party hard. It begs the question: Are Melbourne’s cafés becoming the new clubs?
Café Tomi
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Take Café Tomi, for example, where coffee, sweets, and jazz harmoniously coexist. Music is central to the experience, with an eclectic vinyl collection of jazz classics on regular rotation and guest DJs occasionally stepping in to shape the soundscape; their past events have include Tunes at Tomi’s, Night Labo, and Jazz for Poms.
On Air Cremorne
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Similarly, On Air Cremorne has become a beacon for connection. They host weekly DJ sessions and live radio shows every Wednesday and Saturday morning, spotlighting both local artists and international sounds. With a strong emphasis on creative community, On Air blurs the line between café and cultural venue, inviting patrons in not just for the coffee, but for the conversations and shared experience.
Bakehouse by Vic
Some cafés are even programming their own micro-events. Bakehouse by Vic is answering the call of Melbourne’s fading nightlife scene with their Bakehouse Sunday Sessions—a 1pm to 4pm weekly slot dedicated to daytime socialising with food, drinks, and beats. It’s a deliberate nod to club culture, repackaged for a slower, more intentional pace.
Good Measure
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Meanwhile, Good Measure in Carlton evolves with the day. Open from early morning through to the early hours of the next, the café transitions seamlessly from a relaxed coffee spot into a cosy cocktail bar. At night, the vinyl begins to spin, the lights dim, and an intimate, music-forward atmosphere takes over. With Guinness on tap, jaffle-inspired snacks, and espresso machines running until 8pm, it caters to both the caffeinated and the curious.
Other spaces are leaning into the aesthetic and atmosphere of a high-end venue without relying on music as the main draw. Code Black, while not explicitly a music space, offers a sleek, high-class bar ambience within a café context—proof that vibe and design are just as crucial in redefining what a night out can look like.
MixandMatcha
Then there’s MixandMatcha, a new initiative launching sober music events that centre ceremonial-grade matcha, curated DJ sets, and community vibes. Their first event, The Sober Social Scene, is set to redefine what a party can look like—no booze, just beats and bright green brews. Guests can sip matcha, dance to crowd-sourced DJ playlists, and connect in a warehouse-style setting—no hangovers, no pressure.
From specialty coffee bars to sober warehouse parties, Melbourne’s café scene is tapping into a generation’s desire for music, community, and aesthetic pleasure—without the hangover. Whether it’s morning matcha, midday vinyl, or twilight espresso cocktails, a new kind of nightlife is brewing—one that doesn’t keep you waiting until 1 in the morning to have fun.
Check out the best Melbourne nightclubs for breakfast sessions here.
