After Dark in Australia: The 6 We Would Pay For

1.Melbourne’s Living Laneway Scene: Local Bars and Their Stories

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 542 reviews · from $63Our pick

Follow a local guide through Melbourne’s laneways and visit four changing venues, from classic pubs and whisky rooms to rooftop bars and speakeasies. Guides such as Ian, Hugo, Simon, Laura, and Alex tailor the route to your tastes. The group is limited to 12, and drink inclusions should be confirmed when booking.

“The drinks were all lovely, but the sense of discovering these hidden bars was amazing. The tour guide was great, really elevated the energy of the tour. Ended the tour with new friends and great memories”

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2.Big Night Out Pub Crawl

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 274 reviews · from $35

Start at The Scary Canary at 8pm, then follow hosts through 3 Wise Monkeys, Scruffy Murphy’s, and Side Bar. You get drinks, pizza, snacks, games, club entry, discounts, and a ready-made social group. Hosts including Jemma, Dom, Lisa, and Kosta have helped create the friendly, high-energy mood.

“I had a great time and met very awesome people! The hosts were very hospitable and made sure everyone had a good time.”

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3.Hidden Bars & Laneway Legends Tour Of Melbourne

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 177 reviews · from $46

Walk from Fed Square through Oliver Lane, ACDC Lane, Chinatown, and Little Bourke Street, stopping at three tucked-away bars. Guides such as Tess, Tom, Bridgette, Daniel, and Lenny bring Melbourne’s drinking past to life with stories about barmaids, police, men’s clubs, gold-rush politics, and the city’s nightlife.

“Was best night ever Tess was an amazing guide made the experience so much fun Her knowledge was so informative”

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4.Creepy Tales, Bars & Laneways Of Melbourne Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 169 reviews · from $46

Follow an expert guide through Melbourne’s darker stories, from Queen Victoria Market and Old Melbourne Gaol to Chinatown, Hosier Lane, and Federation Square. You’ll stop at three local bars, buy your own drinks, and hear tales of murders, morgues, ghosts, executions, and wartime crime. Groups are capped at 10 and the minimum age is 18.

“Fantastic tour, our guide was knowledgeable and we had lots of fun learning and finding these hidden bars”

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5.Big Night Out Pub Crawl with Local Party Hosts

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 137 reviews · 4 hours · from $34Best value

Meet your English-speaking hosts at The Scary Canary, then visit four Sydney nightlife venues in four hours. You receive one drink at each stop, pizza, party items, games, prizes, photos, and express entry. The crowd is mainly 18 to 25, with many people in their late twenties and thirties. Phillipa is one host praised for her friendly welcome.

“Phillipa was so sweet! The pub crawl is a great way to meet people and it’s a fun night. I recommend it!”

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6.Brisbane Small Bars and Street Art Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · from $46

Join a small group of up to 12 for a three-hour walk through Brisbane’s bar lanes and mural-filled streets. Your host takes you to three small bars, shares local art stories, and includes one beer, wine, or non-alcoholic drink. Thursday and Saturday routes offer different views of the city.

“The tour was a great combination of art and local bars. Even as someone who grew up in Brisbane I learnt new things and came away with a fresh appreciation for the changes in the city. Nicole was an excellent and engaging host bringing the stories to life.”

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