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The Coolest Social Clubs in Melbourne Are Bringing Back Nostalgic Fun
Melbourne’s fun club revival: play hard, connect harder.
Making new friends, learning something new just for the fun of it, heading out on a low-stakes adventure — once upon a time, it all felt effortless. These days? Not so much. Adulthood has a way of crowding out play, curiosity, and the kind of spontaneous connection that once came naturally. But Melbourne’s new wave of fun and social clubs is quietly rewriting the rules — reigniting imagination, sparking friendships, and reminding us just how good it feels to belong.
We’re in a moment of collective nostalgia — craving simpler times, analogue joy, and IRL connection. If you thought fun was just swiping right, think again. Remember when nights out meant gathering ’round a TV for cult DVDs, plotting world domination over board games, or glueing scraps into art like it was our full-time job? That magic is making a comeback — only this time, with better snacks and zero buffering.
Across the city, these clubs are becoming fiercely unpretentious sanctuaries for creativity and connection. Winning at chess feels like a life achievement. Collage? Basically a competitive sport. It’s about finding your people — or at the very least, unlocking a forgotten part of yourself.
Melbourne’s best and most delightfully niche social clubs are the antidote to digital fatigue — and honestly, we’re here for it. So dust off your ‘meet new friends’ fit, pack your curiosity, and prepare to play. The city’s fun clubs are open — and everyone’s invited.
From Cult Films to Collage: Melbourne’s Creative Hideouts
Club DVD
Melbourne’s sweetest cult-film secret hides in cosy Fitzroy haunts like Wildflower and Milney’s. Club DVD hosts surprise screenings of campy horror gems and nostalgic oddities. Think couches, cocktails, and kindred spirits bonding over the strange and cinematic. With snacks on hand and no pressure to perform, this low-stakes night out feels like the sleepover of your dreams — minus the dial-up buffering. Cinephile joy, unlocked.
Held once or twice a month; see schedule here
Fitzroy & Brunswick
Acid Chess Club
In a city where play often hides behind screens, Acid Chess Club flips the script — blending sharp strategy with live music and creative sparks. Hosted at Collingwood Yard’s Runner Up Rooftop Bar, this monthly gathering invites players and dreamers alike to lose themselves in a world where every move matters, the beats buoy you, and camaraderie feels like rediscovering a forgotten part of yourself. Chess, reimagined as a joyful celebration of connection and curiosity.
Last Thursday of every month
Runner Up Rooftop Bar, Collingwood Yards
Ms Chess
Born from a desire for connection and inclusion, Ms Chess offers Melbourne’s women, LGBTQI+, and non-binary players a welcoming, low-pressure sanctuary. Monthly gatherings in vibey venues like Skydiver Records and Capers blend relaxed chess matches with live DJs, drinks, and laughter. It’s less about checkmate and more about checkmates, where every move kindles new bonds.
Monthly
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Nightstand
Once a month, Nightstand takes over Fenton Farmhouse — a cosy Carlton spot known for its seasonal, farm-to-table dining and community spirit — bringing together social chess (thanks to Migrant Chess Club), local DJ sets, and laid-back vibes. Running Sundays from 3pm to 9pm, it’s an afternoon where strategy meets soundtrack, and strangers become friends over games and grooves. Keep your eyes peeled for the next one here.
Collage Workshops & Pub Collage Club with That Paper Joint
Melbourne’s creative heart pulses at That Paper Joint, where friendship and imagination collide in a vibrant tapestry of collage workshops. From the wildly fun Pub Collage Club at Brunswick’s atmospheric Hall — where art flirts with trivia and fresh connections bloom — to intimate sessions bursting with laughter, paper, and glue, these workshops are joyous celebrations that unleash creativity and forge lasting bonds.
That Paper Joint, 544 Sydney Road, Brunswick
The Mess Hall at Welcome to Brunswick, 400 Sydney Road, Brunswick
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
Shy Peoples Drawing Club
For anyone who has ever wanted to sketch in public but felt too awkward to go it alone, this club is your soft place to land. From mall food courts to riverside promenades, it’s all about quiet creativity with zero pressure and maximum good vibes. Expect doodles, deep focus, and company that doesn’t mind a comfortable silence. Introverts, unite (separately, but together). BYO sketchpad and social battery — both can be half-full.
Various dates and locations; keep your eyes peeled for next one here
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The Jar Pickleball Club
Pickleball is tennis’s cooler, more social sibling — and The Jar is where it comes alive. With four glowing courts, prosecco nights, ladies’ night, DJ beats, and a vibe that blends friendly rivalry with effortless fun, every session feels like a celebration. Speedy rallies, laughter, and connections flow naturally, making fitness, friendship, and fierce fun inseparable.
29 White Street, South Melbourne
Sunset Club
Sunset Club invites you to bask in the simple joy of golden-hour magic every Monday at Brighton Life Saving Club. A quick run, a refreshing swim, and calming yoga come together beneath the painted sky, creating a ritual that’s part fitness, part meditation, and all heart. It’s where connections form effortlessly, laughter flows as freely as the tide, and staring at the sky feels like a shared secret.
Mondays, 5pm
Reach out via sunset.club.melbourne@gmail.com
Brighton Life Saving Club, Brighton
Club FEMM
Born from mateship and a craving for genuine connection, Club FEMM is Melbourne’s go-to for women and femme-identifying legends who’d rather amble and natter than sprint. Their chilled events — morning strolls with a decent cuppa, casual catch-ups, and community shindigs — make making mates as easy as pie. No pressure, just good company and plenty of kind souls.
Follow their socials for regular updates
Dip + Sip
Dip + Sip is Melbourne’s effortlessly cool crew gathering for free sea swims, breathwork, and morning catch-ups that feel like a hug for your soul. It’s less about ticking boxes and more about showing up, sharing laughs, and soaking in the kind of connection that leaves you lighter. Bring your curiosity, your favourite cuppa, and a readiness to dive deep — literally and metaphorically.
Regular meet-ups; follow along for updates here
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Bigger Things Club
This isn’t your typical social circle — it’s a revolution of realness in a world gone digital. Bigger Things Club is where slow conversations, shared meals, and heartfelt laughter reclaim the art of connection. From intimate feasts in Brunswick to unplugged coffee catch-ups sparking unexpected friendships, it’s a space where phones get forgotten and stories take centre stage. Soulful gatherings with purpose, where every event — be it a book swap or dinner party — invites you to step out of the noise and into something beautifully human. Bigger, deeper, better.
Keep your eyes peeled for the next Melbourne event here
First Timers Club
Ditch the usual and dive headfirst into Melbourne’s ultimate anti-routine crew. First Timers Club is all about smashing comfort zones with epic new experiences — from bouldering escapades to bike raves and Korean BBQ nights. It’s about trying new things at least once, forging fierce friendships, creating unforgettable memories, and building a community that thrives on the thrill of firsts. Founded in 2023 and now a global sensation, this club turns “first time” into lifetime magic.
Reach out via firsttimerssclub@gmail.com
Meet Cute Events
Who said Pilates can’t be a party? Project Meet Cute turns stretching and strengthening into a legit social sport — think less lonely mats, more spontaneous laughs and genuine connections. If your idea of ‘meeting cute’ involves awkward silences and endless swiping, this is your upgrade. Flex your body, stretch your social skills — your new best mate might just be a stretch away.
Sitchu Tip: Join Meet Cute on July 25th for a spicy Pilates session at Peaches Pilates Windsor, followed by fresh pasta, pizza, and Spritzes at Freddy’s. All set in a cosy courtyard — perfect for meeting new friends and embracing good vibes.
Crush Club
Swipe left on lonely apps and swipe right on real life at Crush Club — Melbourne’s slickest social playground. From flirty dinner parties to garden hangs with antipasto spreads and cheeky games, this is where sparks fly authentically. Whether you’re hunting for love, friendship, or just a really great time, Crush Club crafts moments that make hearts race and cheeks blush — old-school charm with a fresh, modern twist.
Catch upcoming events here
Melbourne’s growing constellation of social clubs proves that connection, creativity, and a little courage go a long way. Say yes to spontaneity, try something new, and find your people — because play isn’t just for kids, and belonging never goes out of style.
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