The Night Cat: The live music that Fitzroy’s famous for
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07.09.2022

The Night Cat: The live music that Fitzroy’s famous for

Mildlife
Mildlife perform at The Night Cat - image by David Harris

What can this publication say about The Night Cat that we haven’t already said since it first opened back in 1996.

LIVE MUSIC is what The Night Cat is famous for, or should we say The Night Cat’s live music is what Fitzroy is famous for. The Night Cat is, without doubt, one of the best live music venues in Melbourne.

FAMOUS FOR the central stage with a 360-degree viewing angle, allowing lucky punters to witness some of the best emerging and left-field acts from around the world, up close and personal. 

INFAMOUS FOR the eclectic lineups and even more diverse crowds. Don’t be surprised if a single weekend contains psychedelic trash-jazz, dark tech-house, post-Soviet hip hop, and a bachata and salsa dance class.

It’s an institution that’s occupied a special place in our heart and often the last port of call on any successful night out northside. 

Its major strength is the ability to attract uber-cool international acts and balance them with excellent Melbourne talent. In the space of a couple of weeks this month, The Night Cat will host the dancefloor-angled jazz of English multi-instrumentalist Emma-Jean Thackray, the alt-pop stylings of Kiwi group Yumi Zouma, Melbourne industrial group My Disco, and local psych-jazz fusion band Proto Moro. 

It’s no surprise then, that the venue has played a major role in the formation of some of our best talent. The Cat Empire, The Bamboos, 30/70 all cut their teeth on the classic Meyer sound system. 

The Night Cat host their popular late-night Better Late sessions every Friday and Saturday from 11pm ‘til late, featuring the best DJs, as well as international and local headliners. Keeping us all on our toes, they’re also particularly famous for their salsa and bachata classes with live Latin bands every Sunday. 

Check it all out for yourself, head to The Night Cat on 137-141 Johnston Street in Fitzroy.