Find Your Next Read with the Best Book Clubs in Melbourne

Melbourne’s creative energy doesn’t stop at its galleries or stages — it flows through the city’s thriving book clubs. Across neighbourhoods, readers gather in warm, welcoming spaces to share stories, ideas and a shared love of great writing, often with a glass of wine in hand.

From edge-of-your-seat thrillers to cheesy romances, bold memoirs and books that stir the mind, there’s a club for every kind of reader. More than a meeting, these gatherings offer a chance to unwind, connect and lose yourself in conversation and good company.

The best book clubs in Melbourne prove that reading is even better when shared — preferably over a cheese board or a bowl of pasta.

Girls Night Book Club

For those who like their novels with a side of negronis, Girls’ Night Book Club in Bayside delivers literature with sparkle. Founded to celebrate women’s voices, this lively club meets monthly in local bars for tapas, wine and talk that flows as easily as the conversation. There’s laughter, sharp insight and the occasional book swap — a girls’ night that’s equal parts prose and prosecco. A clever, joy-filled way to turn reading into something deliciously social.

Monthly

Bayside, Melbourne

Reading Party

For those who love reading but hate homework, Reading Party is your kind of club. Held at chic spots like Aster Cocktail & Wine in the city, this “not-a-book-club” invites you to simply bring your own read, sip a glass of wine and soak up the quiet hum of collective page-turning. No assigned chapters, no small talk required — just good books, good vibes, and a post-read mingle for those who fancy it. Think silent disco, but for bookworms.

Pinot and Paragraphs

Proof that not all great reads end in solitude, Pinot & Paragraphs pairs paperbacks with pinot and a grazing board to boot. Held in velvet-draped venues like Chapel 1885 and Essie’s, it’s one part book club, two parts flirtation with literary romance. Come for the plot twists, stay for the witty repartee forged over what’s bound to be your new favourite drop. Your next chapter awaits — and there’s no shushing required.

Monthly

Various Melbourne venues

Bookatini

If your idea of bliss is a bowl of pasta, a good glass of wine and a story that stays with you long after the last page, Bookatini is your match made in literary heaven. Founded by Rachel Furulo, this Melbourne book club brings together lovers of books and beautiful food for evenings that feed both the mind and the appetite. Think thought-provoking reads, spirited discussion and dishes like bucatini vodka stracciatella that deserve their own chapter.

The gatherings feel like dinner at a friend’s place — relaxed, intimate and full of warmth. Beyond the table, Bookatini also hosts Pilates + Pasta sessions, author chats and creative supper clubs. Proof, perhaps, that great stories — like great meals — are best shared.

The Brunswick Street Bookstore Book Club

A fixture for Melbourne’s literary crowd, The Brunswick Street Bookstore Book Club is where thoughtful reading meets community spirit. Held monthly and open to all, this free event brings together locals for lively discussions on carefully chosen titles. The atmosphere is warm, inclusive and wonderfully unpretentious — ideal for those looking to discover new genres, share ideas and meet fellow book lovers. Seasoned reader or just getting back into books, it’s one of the city’s most engaging literary gatherings.

305 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

The Gloss Book Club

This global book club connects readers from all corners of the world — and yes, Melbourne book lovers are part of the story. The Gloss Book Club hosts monthly meetups where members gather over wine, warmth and conversation that goes far beyond the final page. Each session comes with thoughtfully prepared discussion questions, perfect for readers who like to dig a little deeper into their latest read.

Membership includes access to exclusive Melbourne events — from author meet-and-greets to discounts and monthly giveaways — all shared through The Gloss Book Club’s private online community.

Book Club location changes monthly

Read My Blurb

Created to unite readers over wine, words and warm conversation, Read My Blurb is run by co-founders Daisy and Jess. Twice a month, they host cosy gatherings across inner Melbourne — think light bites, soft lighting and open-ended book chats centred around the Book of the Month. Their latest addition, Blurb’s Book Swap, invites guests to bring along a pre-loved (or new) title to pass on to another reader. It’s a delightful way to share favourite stories and discover new ones — all in one effortlessly social evening.

Waitlist and locations can be found on Instagram.

At One Studio

It’s not every day a book club meets on the yoga mat, but At One Studio is rewriting the rules with Something Comforting — a health-minded club devoted to self-care and soulful reads. Focused on non-fiction spanning yoga, psychology, self-development and philosophy, it’s designed to spark connection and reflection among like-minded readers. Held every four to six weeks, sessions are free for members (with a small fee for guests) — complete with nourishing tea, wholesome snacks and plenty of calm conversation.

L1/127 Buckley Street, Essendon

Club Sup

For those craving connection beyond a screen, Club Sup is Melbourne’s modern answer to socialising with substance. Founded by Sophie McIntyre, the community hosts beautifully curated dinners, drinks, and its much-loved Book Swap events. Each month, guests bring a favourite read (and a note for its next owner), share bites and conversation, and leave with new stories — and often new friends. Casual, thoughtful, and effortlessly cool, it’s the kind of event that makes meeting people feel easy again.

Book swap locations shared on Instagram.

The Chestnut Tree Bookshop

In Footscray, The Chestnut Tree Bookshop proves that a good read can do real good. Every purchase helps plant native trees in bushfire-affected areas — more than 30,000 so far — making it one of Melbourne’s most meaningful spots to shop for books.

Independent and proudly sustainable, the store also hosts a series of intimate book clubs for juniors and adults alike. Divided into Young Adult, General, and Parents & Bubs groups, each gathering offers thoughtful recommendations and a chance to connect over stories that spark conversation long after the last page.

542 Barkly Street. Footscray

Service95 Book Club

Craving a clever book club that goes beyond the usual page-turners? Service95 Book Club, curated by Dua Lipa, takes readers on a global journey through stories that challenge, connect, and inspire. Each month comes with its own setlist — the book, an interview with the author, essays, even a playlist — all designed to make reading feel like a full cultural experience. No awkward small talk or sign-ups required, just brilliant books and sharper perspectives, delivered straight to your inbox.

Shameless Book Club

Another online favourite for story lovers short on time, the Shameless Book Club comes courtesy of the women behind the hit podcast Shameless. Each month begins with a recommended read and wraps with a virtual discussion led by hosts Michelle, Zara and Annabelle. Listeners can send in their thoughts and questions, which often spark a bonus podcast episode dedicated entirely to the book. It’s smart, social and refreshingly low-effort — a book club you can join from bed, tea in hand.

Sitchu Tip: While it’s mostly a digital affair, the club occasionally steps into the real world — most notably for their Club Sup x Shameless book swaps, chic community events where readers trade books, sip wine and share conversation in true Melbourne style.

Available on all podcast platforms.

Lonely House Book Club

Another club where great reads meet good company, Lonely House Book Club is the brainchild of Melbourne friends Tash and Bella — a celebration of literature, laughter, and long lunches. Equal parts social gathering and reading circle, their events unfold in beautifully chosen spaces around the city, pairing good food and wine with conversations that stretch well beyond the page.

Each month brings a new book, fresh recommendations, and the occasional creative twist — from Paint and Sip nights to Galentine’s lunches. Follow along online to stay in the loop, secure your spot, and join the city’s most effortlessly cool reading crowd.

Dates and locations are available on Instagram.

Salon Series at Paperback Books

For those who take their reading seriously — and prefer to hear the story straight from the source — Melbourne’s beloved Paperback Bookshop hosts a monthly Salon Series worth marking in your diary. These free sessions invite authors to read, reflect and open the floor to discussion in an intimate setting, often held at Bard’s Apothecary in the CBD. Expect lively exchanges on symbolism, storytelling and the hidden meanings that shape their work.

Beyond its salons, Paperback Bookshop is a treasure trove of fiction, non-fiction, and travel titles rarely found elsewhere in Australia. A fixture of the city since the 1960s and now something of a literary landmark, its shelves weave together cult discoveries and a curated selection of mainstream favourites.

60 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Has our guide to the best book clubs in Melbourne inspired you to up your social game? Why not gather the girls and head away for a weekend of wines and good times? We’ve got guides to the Mornington Peninsula and Daylesford to get the planning started.