A major hub for music venues, inner-north culture and artistry, Northcote has earnt its spot as one of the north's most revered suburbs for live music.
Tired of Fitzroy but you aren’t keen on heading back into the CBD? Hop on the 86 tram line for a couple of stops, and you’ll find yourself in the celebrated suburb of Northcote. A breeding ground for progressive culture and live music, the music venues in Northcote nails the quintessential experience of inner-north nightlife.
Keep up with the latest music news, features, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Wesley Anne
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The iconic Wesley Anne is not only a revered abode for a tasty meal, they’ve got live music too and they’ve well and truly fired up the amps as we embark on 2022. Wurli, Paige Black and Ade Ishs are some of the names you will have caught over the last few years, while the likes of Rayhab, Alex Taylor and Rosario De Marco are to come.
High Note
With two distinct adjoining spaces placed on either side of the iconic Northcote Theatre, High Note is a brand new live music venue and community space in the heart of Northcote. Hosting workshops, art exhibitions and live music, it ultimately creates a uniquely multifaceted experience.
This commitment to variety also extends to their drinks menu. Ensuring there’s something available for every taste, it features plenty of classics but also a pretty sizable array of locally sourced Australian beers and wines. High Note radiates this self-affirmed but not standoffish sense of coolness, coming across as the place to be for people who are in the know (which would be you now that you’re reading this, how lucky). The best part of this though, is it doesn’t tread into being a wanky, exclusive cool-kids-only club. It’s an inclusive venue full of lovely staff and patrons alike.
Merri Creek Tavern
Live music is what this cosy local hangout thrives on. Serving as a hub for Melbourne’s burgeoning music scene, its intimate setting is the ideal spot to gather with friends and experience performances from new and established local, touring and international artists.
In this unique establishment, vinyl records are the soundtrack to the cosy bar area, while the back room comes alive with the sounds of live bands. With an impressive selection of beers on offer, you’ll be spoiled for choice as you take in the welcoming atmosphere and friendly vibes. If you’re feeling peckish, you can easily order in from the many nearby eateries which range from Sri Lankan, Indian, Italian, Thai, Japanese and good old-fashioned fish’n’chips.
Open Studio
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Northcote’s Open Studio is full of live music as it brings some of Melbourne’s brightest music talents to its space. There’s more where that came from with heaps of gigs booked over the coming months, so check out this wonderfully intimate and rather bohemian live music venue.
Northcote Social Club
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There’s no question that when you think of Melbourne live music venues, the Northcote Social Club is one of the first that pops into mind. It’s a chilled, laid back space that garners a chill crowd who are there just for the music.
Northcote Theatre
When it was announced that the Northcote Theatre was being transformed into a 1,500-person live music venue, replete with a cocktail bar, rooftop bar, Italian style trattoria and boutique wine bar, Northcote collectively – and this is the technical term – went apeshit. Northcote may live and breathe live music, but with the Croxton Bandroom, Thornbury Theatre, Northcote Social Club, and a plethora of smaller venues like Bar 303 already on High Street, it was always going to take something pretty special to break through.
Luckily, there’s a lot more to Northcote Theatre than just good looks. There’s oodles of space, and the mezzanine, bar access and viewing angles are all exceptional.
Bar 303
Live music at 303 is constantly varied. With an eclectic mix of performances spanning all imaginable genres – and some unimaginable ones – you’ll be treated to a vastly different band each time you go. Open until 3 am, even on weeknights, 303 is a bastion of livelihood in the wee hours of the morning, inviting you to dance the night away while the rest of High Street sleeps. Or just chill out and read a book at 2am, if that’s your thing.
With a consistently interesting and eclectic mix of performances – their booked acts ranging from blues and jazz to rock – there’s something for everyone at Bar 303. Each time you go you’ll be treated to a vastly different band. Every Thursday night, Bar 303 puts on the iconic Hammond Sessions by Hawker Heights, where the trio bring out the Hammond organ and tear through steamy blues, soulful R&B and vintage jazz for a sophisticated, world class act.
If you’d like to know about the best music venues in other suburbs around Melbourne, be sure to check out our comprehensive list here.
