Melbourne, long celebrated for its vibrant nightlife, has seen a quiet but significant cultural shift in recent years.
As Australians increasingly prioritise wellness and intentional socialising, alcohol consumption has dropped by nearly 30 per cent over the past seven years, according to recent studies. This trend has sparked a wave of sober, daytime parties where the focus is on connection, music, and atmosphere – without the need for a 1 am start or a drink in hand.
Cafés like On Air Cremorne and Café Tomi have embraced this movement, transforming their spaces into unconventional party venues. Café Tomi, for instance, has hosted intimate gatherings like Tunes at Tomi’s, Night Labo, and Jazz for Poms – events designed to foster genuine connection over good music, free from the hazy blur of alcohol. Meanwhile, On Air Cremorne offers weekly DJ sessions and live radio shows every Wednesday and Saturday morning, creating a space where music lovers can connect over coffee and conversation.
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At the forefront of this movement is Mix&Matcha, a collective known for its caffeine-fuelled gatherings that blend ceremonial-grade matcha, carefully curated DJ sets, and a strong sense of community. Their debut event in April embraced an Afrobeats theme, featuring Shweth Bhargava – known on stage as Shwads – whose deep, soulful sets perfectly captured the spirit of intentional connection these gatherings strive to create.
Reflecting on the experience, Shwads said, “It was probably the most I’ve interacted with a crowd during a set. People felt more present and engaged, which I think ties back to the whole vibe of these gatherings. It’s cool to see people letting loose without needing anything external to get there.”
Shwads’ journey as a DJ began during lockdown. “My housemate had already learned how to DJ, and I wanted to do something creative with my spare time, so I started learning from him,” he shared. “It began as a hobby, but the more I got into it, the more I realised how much I enjoyed creating moments and moods through sound.”
For him, Melbourne’s music scene has been a major influence. “There’s something here for every kind of music lover – whether you’re into house, hip-hop, jazz, techno, or something totally niche, you’ll find a space for it in Melbourne.”
Personal experiences have also played a big role. “Growing up in Botswana, music and dance were always part of the background. That rhythm and groove stuck with me. I also have Indian roots, so there’s a whole other world of sound I was exposed to through family and friends.”
Beyond solo sets, Shwads is part of a collective called This Side of Paradise, known for throwing one-off curated events around Melbourne. He performed at a Deep House Melbourne event late last year as part of this collective and is currently in the middle of planning their next one.
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Reflecting on his approach to performing, he said, “I really enjoy reading the room and responding in real time – it makes the set more fun for me and keeps the vibe alive.” This intuitive, crowd-driven mindset seems perfectly suited to the ethos of sober events, where the energy often feels more present and connected.
“There’s a different kind of energy at sober events – not better or worse, just unique. People tend to be more present and more engaged. There’s definitely more conversation and connection, but people are still dancing and having fun,” he adds.
While Melbourne’s partying scene hasn’t disappeared, it has evolved. Shwads reflects that people are becoming more conscious about how these experiences fit into their lives long term. “I think sober events tap into an increasing focus on wellness, community, and meaningful connection in a really cool way.”
For Shwads, it all comes down to the vibe. “For me, it’s about creating a space where people feel comfortable enough to be themselves, where the music takes them on a journey. And honestly, my favourite parties aren’t the biggest, but the ones where you can feel that everyone’s just in the moment, fully tuned in, and genuinely appreciating the music.”
As Melbourne’s music culture continues to evolve, DJs like Shwads and forward-thinking venues are proving that a great party doesn’t always need a bar tab or a late-night haze – sometimes, it’s just about the vibe.
Are Melbourne’s cafes becoming the new clubs? Find out more here
