The Northcote Social Club has been a pillar of live music in the north since 2005.
LIVE MUSIC on High Street is most at home at Northcote Social Club, which boasts some of the best local lineups in Melbourne.
FAMOUS FOR the huge heated beer garden with a view, definitely one of the nicest watering holes in Northcote.
INFAMOUS FOR the occasional epic secret gig (Pixies come to mind) or surprise party (Lady Gaga’s 4th of July bash) that take place at the old Social Club from time to time.
You can also check out Melbourne’s most comprehensive guides to the best bars and pubs in each suburb and street here.
The original venue, previously known as The Commercial Hotel, dated all the way back to 1854, supposedly born as a rough and ready refuge for teamsters and bullock drivers. That couldn’t be further from its modern iteration – sister venue to the iconic Corner Hotel, the bandroom hosts a diverse mix of genres, local talent as well as national and international touring artists of all genres.
The venue’s ethos is centred on inclusion and community, focusing on providing a safe place for people from all backgrounds to enjoy music and socialise in a comfortable environment. In September, they’ll be hosting ex-Alpine singer Sappho, Peking Duk’s Keli Holiday, Kiwi roots-pop act Muroki, Melbourne’s avant-garde experimentalists Eggy, and Adelaide’s punk-pop indie darlings Teenage Joans, just to name a smattering.
In the leafy-green and natural-light-filled beer garden, you can also tuck into their food menu, previously boasting Michelin-trained chefs in their kitchen turning the dial up on traditional pub fare. A cursory glance reveals marinated olives, edamame and cheese croquettes and smoky miso baba ghanoush. If you work nearby, there’s also the express lunch deals (roast pork belly tonnato, sandwiches or soups) for a tidy $18.
The best bars and pubs in Northcote: High St, Arthurton Rd and beyond
Catch a gig at NSC this month by heading to 301 High Street in Northcote.
