MELBOURNE TAKES THE NIGHT CROWN AS GEN Z OWNS AUSTRALIA’S AFTER-DARK SCENE

Melbourne is officially Australia's number one night spot for Gen Z

Melbourne has been named Australia’s number one night-time hotspot, topping the new Visa Australia Night-time Economy Index 2025 with a Vibe Score of 82.0.

Greater Sydney and Newcastle are closing in, with 12 of the top 20 precincts, signalling that the nation’s most energetic nights now stretch well beyond CBDs into suburban and regional hubs.

The Index ranks more than 80 metropolitan, regional and suburban areas on four pillars: vibrancy, safety, accessibility and policy support.

Melbourne leads overall, while NSW’s strong showing reflects a mix of investment, planning and community engagement across city-fringe precincts.

Regional and suburban centres, such as Newcastle and Parramatta, underscore a broader pattern in which local scenes with clear identities and good access are outpacing some capital city stalwarts.

Dining is the anchor of the night. According to the report, developed with McCrindle Research, 76% of Australians choose restaurants as their preferred after-dark activity.

There is also an appetite for more variety, with 53 per cent calling for more night markets and festivals, and 52 per cent seeking affordable nighttime options that do not compromise quality.

Gen Z is the ultimate night-time generation. They go out an average of 9.4 nights a month, compared with Gen Y at 7.2. Half of Gen Z say nights offer more new experiences than the daytime.

Their preferences align with the call for diverse, spontaneous and discoverable activities, from late-night dining to pop-up cultural events, which in turn drive foot traffic across multiple venues in a single outing.

Spending insights from Visa’s spend insights show the scale of after-dark activity. In the last financial year, Sydney’s restaurants, bars and pubs led NSW with about 1.1 billion dollars and 550 million dollars respectively in night-time spend.

Melbourne’s bars and pubs recorded a 15% year-on-year increase to surpass 558 million dollars. In-person spending in Perth’s bar scene has climbed 65% since the 2020 financial year.

These numbers indicate a nationwide recovery and reinvention of going out, with momentum strongest in areas where venues cluster and transportation is reliable.

Visa Vibe Ambassador Sofia Levin says: “As a traveller who’s experienced cities around the world after dark, I love how each Australian city has its own personality at night.

"Whether it’s a tucked-away wine bar, late-night ramen, or a buzzing night market, there’s always something unexpected to uncover.

"The best nights weave together different venues and experiences, and that’s what makes our cities so exciting.”

Cost is the biggest brake on frequency. Sixty per cent say the price stops them from going out more often, with 56% wanting more affordable options.

Safety and accessibility remain critical, with 45% seeking safer public spaces and 32% calling for extended public transport hours. Almost half of Australians,

47% believe their local nightlife needs more investment. Seventy per cent say they would go out more and try new things if their local scene improved.

Where growth is happening, regional and suburban centres are building momentum. Local communities are driving new vibrancy through venue diversity and coordinated trading hours.

In the Index, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie rank higher than the Gold Coast, a reminder that consistent programming and precise positioning can outperform a louder reputation.

Sydney and its suburbs dominate the top 20 overall, indicating that targeted policies, safety initiatives, and late-night transport can quickly tilt the scoreboard.