A signed letter from Bon Scott makes the Cherry Bar at 68 Collins Street, the best band room in the city.
Cherry Bar used to be at AC/DC Lane and it was the famous after-hours haunt of visiting rock stars including Mick Jagger, Noel Gallagher and Johnny Marr.
It’s now across town and open 7 days. If you really like it you can take out membership.
Karaoke (but not as most people know it) has become Cherryoke and the Trash singalong nights (Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, The Strokes) on Saturdays pack out the room. “Dress like it’s 2007” is the advice and doors open at 11.00pm.
Bon Scott at Cherry Bar
Cherry helped make Melbourne the music capital of Australia.
In its new home, it nods to its AC/DC origins with a priceless Bon Scott (signed) letter next to a Ramones tour poster.
Cherry became famous because it turned away Lady Gaga who wanted an after-show party there. Maybe that’s why Noel Gallagher offered to buy it. (He didn’t).
Coopers on Tap
With a small stage, couches, Coopers beer on tap and a short walk to Flinders Street train station, Cherry is a first choice after a gig at the Forum nearby (home to the Stranglers and Johnny Marr on tour) or a taxi-ride from The Tote in Collingwood.
Controversial owner James Young , Melbourne’s Night Mayor, is a familiar sight in town with cowboy hat and band T-shirt. He’s also an Oasis fan and a former lawyer who also owned an ad agency.
The Night Mayor’s Bar
He grew up in the Melbourne of Festival Hall, then punk and has long campaigned against residential developments that try to ban live bands in the city.
He quit his ownership of Cherry in February 2026 when he complained that Sunday afternoon protests in the city were getting in the way of Cherry’s blues afternoons.
The other mayor (the real mayor, Nicholas Reece) has also protested, Melbourne’s new tradition of Sunday rallies and marches.
Meanwhile you can bring the noise on Saturday night (or any night of the week).
