It’s no secret that Melbourne is spoilt for choice when it comes to unique venues for creative event planners. Packed with hidden gems, laneway charm, and ridiculously good restaurants, it’s hard to go wrong when you’re browsing Melbourne venues for your next event. However, it also means that to really stand out and surprise your guests, you’re going to need to unearth a unique space with plenty of “wow factor”.

To make that job easier, here are 12 of Melbourne’s more unique and interesting event venues that will have your guests talking long after the day is done.

Unique Melbourne venue #1: 524 Flinders

A blank canvas venue in Melbourne’s CBD

What happens when you have an incredible vision for the food and style of your event, but your venue wants to force the smoked salmon pinwheels upon your guests? Sometimes the best way to create a unique look and feel for your event is to start with a blank canvas. 524 Flinders doesn’t work exclusively with any event suppliers, so you’re free to use the caterers and stylists of your choice. The flexible warehouse space can house 270 guests (130 seated).

Unique Melbourne venue #2: Higher Ground

Go grand with this former power station in Melbourne’s CBD

Something between a café, restaurant, bar, and grand ballroom, Higher Ground is a converted power station that’s retained the exposed brick and vaulted ceilings to prove it. Filled with beautiful natural light by day and breathtaking candlelit vibes by night, Higher Ground features some of the most versatile venue hires in Melbourne. Need to think big? There are six interconnected levels and a host of entertaining spaces that can cater to up to 300 guests.

Unique Melbourne venue #3: Paradise Alley

Get grungy at a converted warehouse in Collingwood

Decked out with street art, sneakers, and parts from the neighbouring motorcycle repair shop, Paradise Alley is one of the party venues Melbourne is keen to return to with the return of live events. Great for a casual affair and supported by quality scene-setting tunes, it also offers plenty of premium food and drinks across the three event spaces available for hire.

Unique Melbourne venue #4: Art Series Hotels

Plush penthouse suites in St Kilda, South Yarra, and Prahran

If you’ve ever wanted to live it up with a party in a penthouse suite, you’re in luck. Art Series Hotels can cater for events in their penthouses; some even have adjoining purpose-built function rooms for extra space, so you can entertain anywhere from three to 300 people (standing cocktail-style). Featuring rooms adorned with unique Australian art and boasting views of Melbourne, this is one of the fanciest function venues Melbourne has to share.

Unique Melbourne venue #5: The Kelvin Club

A venue with vintage quirk in Melbourne’s CBD

Once exclusively a men’s club, the historic Kelvin Club is more welcoming these days. Established in Melbourne 150 years ago, the club oozes vintage quirk with spaces including an old-school billiards room. The club still maintains a dress code, ideal for getting guests gussied up and celebrating a bygone era. The upstairs function space can fit up to 200 guests, with smaller spaces available downstairs.

If you like the idea of taxidermy but want something more new-school trendy, check out the kitschy Natural History Bar & Grill on Collins Street.

Unique Melbourne venue #6: Meat Market

Historic pavilions in North Melbourne

Built in 1880, this grand heritage building features two large pavilions for event use. There’s no meat in sight these days (unless it’s catered for!), but if you’re looking for a venue space full of character and history, this one is worth checking out. Meat Market is ideal for larger events, like conferences, with space for up to 850 people.

Unique Melbourne venue #7: Craft & Co

Hyper-local food and drink in Collingwood

Breweries, wineries, and distilleries are all great options for events. Craft & Co combines all three, with the bonus of being an amazing eatery and micro-dairy. If it’s a focus on food and drink you’re after, this Collingwood locale could be just the ticket. Host a truly memorable wine tasting and support Australian artisanal producers with local options and cheese made in-house. The flexible spaces can accommodate up to 200 guests for events.

Unique Melbourne venue #8: Glasshaus

Botanic beauty in Cremorne and Richmond

If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram and felt green with envy over the gorgeously OTT floral and plant styling that’s all the rage right now, Glasshaus might be just the venue you’re looking for. With ‘Glasshaus Outside’ in Richmond and ‘Glasshouse Inside’ in Cremorne (it’s always handy to bring the outdoors in when planning an event in Melbourne!), these venues offer a lush botanical setting that will make jaws drop. Popular with the wedding crowd, Glasshaus also makes a fantastic backdrop for anything from yoga workshops to product launches.

Unique Melbourne venue #9: Evie’s Disco Diner

Ethical and eccentric diner in Fitzroy

There are two main reasons why you would choose Evie’s Disco Diner for an event (just check out the image for the blog!). Maybe you’re catering to vegetarian/vegan attendees and want some crowd-pleasing food options. Or perhaps you’ve binge-watched three seasons of Stranger Things and found yourself desperate to recreate that certain brand of 80’s nostalgia. This venue is a bar/disco/diner that has a focus on ethical and low-waste practices, as well as a presentation screen. It’s one of the most creative conference venues Melbourne has to offer for 10 to 200 people.

Unique Melbourne venue #10: Backlot Studios

A secret cinema in South Melbourne

Tucked away in a hidden but oh-so-central location on the edge of Southbank, Backlot Studios is a private cinema and function space. The cinemas feature plush, luxury seating, and can screen anything from feature films to live sport (or even video games) for around 70 people seated.

Unique Melbourne venue #11: Welcome to Thornbury

Food truck fiesta in Thornbury

Melbourne’s love affair with food trucks is far from fading, culminating with the arrival of the first dedicated site: Welcome to Thornbury. Located in the Inner North, just off the 86 tram, the many spaces in this former car manufacturing yard are sought-after music venues Melbourne-folk flock to for live music and entertainment. For outdoor events, check out the enormous beer garden and permanent food truck park. And if you love a wet-weather contingency plan as much as we do, try Welcome to Thornbury’s indoor Greenhouse space, or their Grainshaker Distillery with a real (working!) copper still.

Unique Melbourne venue #12: Bar Romantica

Italian-inspired, low-key ambience in Brunswick East

Looking to entertain a group of up to 100 people in a bar straight out of a Scorsese film? Bar Romantica has you covered with deep wooden booths, plush red cushions, art-deco lamps, and a speckled terrazzo floor that will make your guests feel as though they’ve entered another era.

Bring your event ideas to life

Whatever style of signature event you’re planning, finding the right venue can transform your vision into a once-in-a-lifetime experience for your guests. Not hosting an event in Melbourne? Discover our unique venue guides for several Australian capital cities, from Perth and Sydney to Brisbane, Adelaide, and Hobart.

Once you’ve found your ideal venue, it’s time to put the word out. Download our event marketing guide to get your event noticed on Eventbrite.