Underground events, back-door bars, secret clubs. On any given night, Melbourne’s best nightlife is waiting to open its doors to the world… as long as you know where to look.
Hidden between the high rises, the city turns on its nightlife after dark. And nothing turns from zero to one hundred faster than the underground jazz bars in Melbourne.
Although on the opposite side of the world to jazz’s roots, the underground jazz bars in Melbourne rival the best in the world.
Whether you want to melt into a couch for after work drinks, or dance the night way, these jazz clubs would get Louis Armstrong’s toes tapping.
Set the mood with this guide on how to best experience Melbourne’s Jazz Bar scene. It’s still the roaring 20’s after all.
In This Blog
| Jazz Club | Location | Distance from Dorsett Melbourne |
| The Jazzlab | 27 Leslie St, Brunswick | 22-minute public transport |
| Lido Jazz Room | 675 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn | 20-minute public transport |
| Bird’s Basement | 11 Singers Ln, Melbourne | 8-minute walk |
| Paris Cat Jazz Club | 6 Goldie Pl, Melbourne | 12-minute walk |
| 1806 | 169 Exhibition St, Melbourne |
26-minute walk 10-minute drive |
| The Count’s | The Count's, Monash University Clayton Campus, 48 Exhibition Walk The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts, Clayton | 30-minute drive |
| The Rooks Return | 201 Brunswick St, Fitzroy |
16-minute drive 28-minute public transport |
| Uptown Jazz Cafe | 1/177 Brunswick St, Fitzroy |
16-minute drive 27-minute public transport |
Top Jazz Bars in Melbourne
Draw back the velvet curtains and enter Melbourne’s jazz bar scene with these top jazz bar hits. It’s in these spaces the piano springs to life next to a live jazz band in the moody yet vibrant atmosphere below the city streets.
Get to know the underground jazz scene with our top spots of best jazz clubs in Melbourne.
The Jazzlab
Credit: The Jazzlab
In the backstreets of Brunswick, there’s a tune that’s been tapping along for over 25 years. The Jazzlab in Bennets Lane, Brunswick is the latest love child of Jazz icon and aficionado Micheal Tortoni.
The Jazzlab dedicates itself to nurturing young and up-coming talent, and it's that riotous and raw talent that drives the fun here at the Jazzlab. Showcasing new talent every night, The Jazzlab is a must-do for every jazz lover in town.
Check out the upcoming line-up of new talent here.
Lido Jazz Room
Kick things off with a classic Manhattan inspired jazz bar - Lido Jazz Room. Follow the sounds of sexy brass bands down a narrow stairway to a secret room tucked behind a cinema screen to find the iconic Lido Jazz Room.
From 8pm - 10pm every Saturday night, the Lido Jazz Room is home to the hottest jazz players in town. With only space for 40 seats plus a piano and drum-kit, you need to book in advance for this club.
Bird’s Basement
A fan favourite for every jazz connoisseur, Bird’s Basement is a cornerstone of the vibrant Melbourne jazz scene. For almost a decade, Bird’s Basement has been hosting live jazz shows multiple times a week with performers from Melbourne, Australia, and across the world.
Serving up delicious cocktails, wines, dinner, and desserts throughout the night, Bird’s Basement entices with the tunes, and then follows it up with a wicked menu. Accommodating 200 jazz-lovers every show, Bird’s Basement is the perfect way to dip your toes into Melbourne’s Jazz Bars.
The Paris Cat Jazz Club
Credit: Paris Cat Jazz Club
It’s impossible to write about the best underground jazz bars in Melbourne without mentioning The Paris Cat Jazz Club. Since 2005, The Paris Cat Jazz Club has been instrumental in the survival of Melbourne’s music scene.
Split across three levels, featuring two separate performance rooms, The Paris Cat is open from Thursday to Sunday weekly(with some additional mid-week seatings) putting on multiple shows each night. What makes The Paris Cat so special is it’s the birthplace of a lot of future jazz enthusiasts, allowing children over the age of 12 into the show providing they have a guardian with them.
While you could try your luck and buy a ticket at the door, booking in advance is a sure-fire way to secure your splendid night out at one of Melbourne’s best jazz bars.
Extra Tips for Jazz Enthusiasts
When it comes to the jazz scene, turning up is one thing, getting into the groove is another. As a long-standing art form with a myriad of nuances, interpretations, and evolutions it’s important to walk the walk if you’re really going to become a true jazz lover.
Get in the swing of things with these how-to jazz bar tips and must-see jazz piano bars.
Lesser Known Jazz Clubs in Melbourne
Melbourne is host to a litany of musical wonders. The music scene in Melbourne rivals the best cultural outposts in the world. London, New York, Amsterdam, they all compare equally to Melbourne's music and arts scene.
It’s no wonder that once you open the Pandora's box of underground jazz clubs in Melbourne, the more you look, the more you find. Discover these lesser known jazz and piano bars in Melbourne.
1806
When the lights dim every Thursday and Sunday in the luxury 1806 Bar, it can only mean one thing - jazz night. For Melbourne locals, jazz night at 1806 is a weekly must and for visitors keen enough to look further than the big jazz clubs, they will be rewarded with one of the best jazz experiences in Melbourne.
Sit back and enjoy in one of Melbourne’s premium cocktail establishments as jazz fills the air. Book in for a night of smooth jazz and smoother cocktails at 1806 now.
The Count’s
A true testament to up-and-coming jazz musicians, The Count’s is a live music venue at Monash University hosting jazz nights every Wednesday. One of five music venues on the University’s grounds The Count’s is a bar and bistro hosting 150 patrons nightly and transforming into a jazz club weekly.
If you’re in Melbourne’s south east and on the hunt for a jazz night out, The Count’s is a club you can always count on for a good time.
The Rooks Return
Credit: The Rooks Return
Not all jazz is velvet and whisky, especially if it’s jazz night at The Rooks Return. A small, dark bar in Fitzroy, The Rooks Returns is an eclectic mix of wood, pub-style, art deco, and a well-loved piano waiting for any pianist to jump on.
And on Wednesday’s, the pianist from The Rooks Return’s very own jazz band The Rookies takes the stage. Belting out bebop and classic ballads, the Rookies are the Fitzroy twist on jazz that you never knew you needed.
This bar takes a no nonsense, no bookings approach to its patrons. Just rock up, bring your own food from a nearby diner, and sip on a cocktail as the Rookies take you on a jazz journey.
Uptown Jazz Cafe
For an intimate performance, take a seat in a velvet lined booth inside Uptown Jazz Club. Although smaller than some of the previously mentioned clubs, the Uptown Jazz Club has hosted musical goliaths like Boston saxophonist George Garzone, and internationally renowned musicians such as Bernie McGann, Miroslav Bukovsky, and Dale Barlow.
If none of those names ring a bell to you, it’s time to go underground into the Uptown Jazz Cafe. Bookings for this cosy club are via email only so be sure to reach out to not miss out.
Live Jazz Etiquette
If this is your first time entering the underground jazz club Melbourne scene, it may seem daunting. From Hollywood, we see a lot of lingo, insider-knowledge, and silent communication, but in reality there’s only a few things a first timer needs to know regarding live jazz etiquette.
As per any performance, you want to give your attention to the performers and minimise any disruptions. This means turning your phone off or to silent, and keeping conversations to a minimum. Remember it’s not just about your enjoyment, but also the enjoyment of everyone else in the club.
If you’re looking to jump on stage and join the band, take cues from the band themselves. Only go up if invited to, and be sure to take note when the band is ready for you to sit back down. No one likes someone who overstays their welcome, but rather be the jazz player that leaves on a high to applause. That way you’re more likely to be invited back too.
Jazz etiquette is simply about being in the moment, having fun, and all that jazz.
Annual International Jazz Festival
Credit: Melbourne International Jazz Festival
Looking to dive head first into the world of jazz? Immerse yourself in jazz at the annual Melbourne International Jazz Festival. Every October, Melbourne plays host to over 100 performances and 450 artists bringing the joy of jazz to the city streets.
Kicking things off on October 18th, 2024, this year’s Melbourne International Jazz Festival is taking over Melbourne’s iconic spaces and filling up concert halls with the festival’s Modern Masters series, bringing global jazz icons to play with Australian emerging and leading artists. This festival is globally known for shaping the future of jazz with its strong support of fresh talent.
Being a true Melbourne event to its core, the Melbourne International Jazz Festival is dedicated to ensuring everyone has the chance to experience world-class live jazz, meaning at least 35% of its program is free or low cost.
Like all true jazz, just turn up and let the music lead you. Discover this year’s program here.
Where to Start Your Jazz Bar Experience
Your jazz journey is just beginning, set yourself up for a trip of a lifetime at Dorsett Melbourne. From Dorsett Melbourne’s convenient spot in the middle of Melbourne, you’re always only a short trip away from Melbourne’s best jazz clubs.
Explore the best of Melbourne’s underground jazz scene from Dorsett Melbourne. Stay with Dorsett Melbourne on your next trip to Melbourne.
