Cherry Bar

Cherry Bar occupies a narrow, red-lit space on the laneway officially renamed AC/DC Lane in honour of the band's Melbourne roots, and has been a fixture of the city's rock and roll scene for decades. The crowd is a mix of musicians, long-time regulars, and rock and metal fans across a broad age range from early 20s to well into middle age; dress is casual, with denim and band t-shirts common and no dress code enforced. Live bands play most nights of the week, spanning garage rock, punk, metal, and classic rock and roll, with the stage set close to the bar so the room stays loud and physically compact even on quieter nights. The drinks list runs to a substantial whisky and bourbon selection alongside beer on tap and simple spirits, rather than an elaborate cocktail program, in keeping with the venue's dive-bar character. Cherry Bar opens in the evenings and is closed on some weeknights, so checking the current schedule before visiting is advisable. Cover charges range from free to around AUD 20 depending on the night and the act, with ticketed shows for higher-profile touring bands. There is no bottle service and no formal reservation system for general entry; tickets for specific gigs are sometimes sold in advance online when a show is expected to sell out. Music is the primary draw here, not a backdrop, and the venue is best suited to visitors specifically seeking a live rock show over a cocktail lounge experience. Its location on AC/DC Lane, just off Flinders Lane in the CBD, makes it a well-known laneway landmark and a common stop for visitors tracing Melbourne's rock music history.