Your guide to a good night out in Melbourne's eastern suburbs

In the mood to leave the house but can't be bothered going far? Good. You don't need to. Melbourne's east has plenty to give when the sun goes down, all without venturing west of Warrigal Road.

Whether it’s a good meal, a few drinks with friends, or something completely out of left field, there’s heaps to do in the eastern suburbs. You just need to know where to look.

You may notice there's far too much listed below for one person to do in one night. That’s because we are creatures of variety, so we've compiled options to suit any vibe. Pick and choose as you please — no matter which direction you go, we’re confident you’ll have a good time.

Now let's get this show on the road.

Late afternoon in Melbourne’s east

The day is not quite done but the night ahead beckons — who says you need to wait till the sun goes down to start your night? Heavens be damned. For the perfect beginning to your good night, head to the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens. This is a little bit out of the way, but think of it as putting a stake in the ground as far as you’ll go before slowly, dreamily, making your way home with a few stops on the way.

The botanic gardens are a great spot for a little late afternoon picnic, just not too late, as they close at 5pm. Afterwards, you can make your way down to the Firehouse in Ringwood. This heritage-listed building has been standing since 1929 and was once home to the Ringwood Fire Station, hence the name. Now, it's home to a modern smokery, cocktail bar and quite a nice beer garden. It keeps all of its historical charm, and lives on as the perfect spot for you to have a late arvo beer in the sun. 

Grabbing dinner in the eastern suburbs

It's dinner time, and now comes your biggest dilemma — where to eat? Luckily, we’re blessed with plenty of good options in the east. In the mood for Italian? Head to Sette Bello in Glen Waverley. Japanese? Katori in Box Hill has you sorted.

For more of a Spanish flair to your evening, look no further than The Black Toro in Glen Waverley.

Feel like a proper steak done right? Head to Ringwood's Hunter & Barrel. Or if you're with a crew who's after a bit of everything, head to Julia's just up the road in Ringwood North. Woodfired pizza, pasta, parmas, burgers, cocktails — what more could you desire?

After dinner activities in Oakleigh and Ferntree Gully

The sun is down but the spirits are high. From here, your path could go in many directions. If you're the kind of person who finds escape rooms fun and not anxiety-inducing, head to EscapeXperience in Oakleigh. This one's an escape room with a twist — a 1920s burlesque twist, to be exact.

A connoisseur of the arts? Catch a show at the 1812 Theatre in Ferntree Gully, which dates back to the 1940s and is one of the longest-running theatre groups in Melbourne. With a steady stream of quality productions throughout the year, there's always a show worth catching.

Alternatively, if the weather is right and you're in that viewing mood, you can head to the Cameo Cinema in Belgrave and enjoy a film under the stars. 

Late night fun in Bayswater, Croydon, and Lysterfield Lake

This is when the fun really begins. If you're in the mood for live music, head to The Barn Live in Bayswater. Just check ahead as depending on the night, it's either free entry or a ticketed show. If you're in the mood to belt out some “Mr. Brightside”, make sure you go on a Sunday when they bust out the karaoke.

For a more chilled sit down with a good drink and have a deep chat vibe, head to The Ten Saints bar in Croydon. Or if you still have energy to burn, pop on over to Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq Chadstone. Here, you can enjoy laser tag, dodgem cars, VR games, arcade games, bowling, and plenty of cocktails up until closing time at midnight.

For a truly peaceful way to end your night, head to Lysterfield Lake for some quiet stargazing. Pack a flashlight, bring blankets, lie down, and take it all in. If you really want to take it to the next level, bring a telescope, binoculars, or even a constellation app to make it interactive and educational. Pair this with some hot milo or homemade mulled wine in a thermos, and you've got yourself the perfect, cosy, starry end to the good night.

And don't worry, it's perfectly legal. While the Lysterfield Lake car park closes at sunset, pedestrians and cyclists can still access the park 24 hours a day. And that's coming straight from Parks Victoria, so go ahead and stargaze to your heart's content. 

And hey, if none of the above options hit the spot, there's always the 24-hour Kmart in Burwood.

Thumbnail Image Credit: Firehouse Ringwood