Tucked inside a discreet inner city alleyway, Chuckle Park is a hidden gem amongst the usual late night fare found inside the CBD. The service is friendly and the pulled pork rolls are juicy. Score a round for the table with their summer-inspired cocktail jars, including spiced peach and pear with white sangria, or raspberry mojito.
322 Little Collins St, CBD. Open until 1am.
Boilermaker House have nightcaps covered, offering over 700 varieties of whiskey to wrap up the evening with. Aside from this, the team are well versed at plating up late night eats matched to the business of boozing. Between the venison burger served with gorgonzola or beer battered cod, the only problem getting something here is having to choose.
209/211 Lonsdale St, CBD. Open until 3am.
Formerly known as Menya Sandaime, the newly re-branded Shujinko serves authentic Japanese style ramen, for (almost) 24 hours a day. While the updated ramen hangout is no longer open all night, it’ll still stay open to the early hours of the morning. This means that no matter how debauched and ragged your night has become – even if stretched out into the infantile hours of the morning – a hearty broth is on offer to save you from the clutches of tomorrow morning’s hangover. Thank you, Shujinko You’re the hero this city needs.
225 Russell St, CBD. Open until 6am.
Sure, there was the time that an all-out brawl ruffed the shop up a tad, but what’s a late night food adventure without a little drama? Stalactites is a souvlaki joint with a touch more personality than what’s usually expected. They’ve been owned by the same family since 1978, and have become somewhat of an institution for their locally renowned Greek food.
177-183 Lonsdale St, CBD. Open all day.
Hell Of The North take their name from famously arduous Paris-Roubaix bike race through northern France. Their late night supper menu is similarly European inspired, offering bistro style eats in a relaxed and casual setting. Try their pulled pork and gruyere doughnut alongside their list of classic cocktails, with everything all made to order.
135 Greeves St, Fitzroy. Open until 1am.
Meatball and Wine Bar are spinning their own take on Italian traditions, elevating the humble meatball to hero status with their combination of heritage and contemporary flavours. Settle in with some vino inside a candlelit alcove and let the hours melt away.
98 Smith St, Collingwood. Open until 1am.
For one night of the week, Le Bon Ton keeps their kitchen open ’til sunrise – making it one of the finest places to nosh on until the next day. With all the romance of an old American saloon, the team are plating up smoked brisket and blackened crab cakes, matching the flavours of the South with first class cocktails and boutique absinthe.
51 Gipps St, Collingwood. Open until 5am on Fridays.
If you’re feeling a particular combination of both drunkenness and courage, then step right up to the counter of Massive Wieners and take on their gut-busting “super colossal wiener”. You’ll either crumble at the half-way mark or end your night on a glorious high and join their wall of fame. However, one thing is certain – you won’t leave hungry.
226 Chapel St, Prahran. Open up to 4.30am on weekends.
You can tell a place knows a thing or two about alcohol when the wine list arrives in a leather-bound tome that would look more at home inside of a museum than anything else. Take in extensive views of the inner city up by the end of the bar and wrap the night up with oysters and whiskey. Well worth a try, if only for a special occasion.
Level 1, 161 Spring St, CBD. Open until 6am.
Noodle Kingdom becomes a hotspot of activity into the early hours, as city dwellers from all corners come together for a steaming bowl of noodle soup to end their nights. The service is quick, the portions are large and the price is cheap. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
175 Russell St, CBD. Open until 4am.
BY JAMES DI FABRIZIO
