The 24 Best Laneways in Melbourne

Duckboard Place is attached to AC/DC Lane, and together they form a horse-shoe-shaped detour from Flinders Lane.

Named in 1953 after the neighbouring Duckboard House – a venue that would entertain the troops during the interwar period – the term ‘duckboard’ was used to describe the slatted timber path laid out in the muddy trenches.

Duckboard Place has less to offer than AC/DC Lane, but it does contain Melbourne’s last remaining piece of artwork by Banksy.

In the early 2000s, Banksy painted several pieces throughout the city – but unfortunately, most have been destroyed.

But you can still find two Banksy stencils of parachuting rats at the end of Duckboard Place – one on either side of the doorway in the bend.

Another Banksy is on the ceiling at Revolver on Chapel Street – Melbourne’s most infamous nightclub.

This laneway attached to Chinatown is easily overlooked. The walls are covered in graffiti, the bins are overflowing, and restaurant workers crouch to enjoy a smoke break.

Presgrave Place is covered in unique street art. This laneway (off another laneway) is covered in frames and other installation art.

Get in close, and you’ll be surprised by the detail, from tiny people, small messages and tongue-in-cheek references to Banksy.

Block Place is a cafe-filled laneway that leads to the heritage-listed Block Arcade.

In the 1890’s it was privately owned, but the council gained permission to install a roof and create an undercover route. This connected The Block Arcade and The Royal Arcade – two of the best arcades in Melbourne.

Guildford Lane is a secluded oasis, wedged between 21st-century century apartment towers.

This rare pocket of industrial buildings is part of the city’s ‘Green Your Laneway Campaign’ – which has seen the red brick walls covered in plants and creepers.

The buildings have mostly been converted into residential apartments, but there are several cafes on street level.

It’s here you’ll also find Australia’s first cat cafe, where for a small admission fee, you can hang out with some friendly felines.

Hardware Lane spans from Bourke Street to Little Lonsdale Street (that’s long!) and is a nightlife hot spot.

The land was formerly occupied by Kirk’s Horse Bazaar, an auction house that once sold hundreds of horses a week.

With its unique red pavement, its strong European feel is further strengthened by its many Italian and Spanish venues.

Most restaurants will have a spruiker out front, doing their best to win your service. Feel free to haggle with them to get a better deal, or avoid it entirely and research your destination before you go.

Crossley Street is better known as the corner of Pellegrini’s. This old-school Italian cafeteria is said to have welcomed the first Espresso machine to Melbourne in 1954, the start of Melbourne’s coffee craze.

Little has changed since the cafe opened in 1954, and the decor and style of menu remain old-school; it’s a local favourite for a quick bite.

Crossley Street was previously named Romeo Lane, and part of the red light district, while local lore says it was also home to an opium den.

Market Lane will take you from the wide road of Bourke Street, and into the jostling, tight laneways of Chinatown.

This laneway has several restaurants, including Hutong, a widely regarded dumpling house. You can watch the cooks making their own dumplings; a good way to guarantee your dumplings don’t come from the freezer.

There is also Hofbräuhaus, a slightly out-of-place German eating house – known for its giant beers and huge sausages. Every Octoberfest, this place gets wild.

If it’s fine dining you want, then there is Flowerdrum, an award-winning Cantonese restaurant often booked out months in advance.

In 1890, shopkeeper and resident of Russell Place, Charles Elliot penned a letter to the council requesting that they install street lighting as well as a greater police presence.

He complained of many men that would urinate in the laneway, sometimes even 20 at a time. Thankfully that doesn’t happen today (or at least not as much.)

Russell Place now houses several hidden bars and restaurants, including Gin Palace and the late-night Bar Ampere.

Manchester Lane was once home to the manchester and linen trade of Melbourne. In acknowledgment of its history, the council created a giant zip pattern in the pavement. The old factory buildings have been converted into apartment buildings.

Olive Lane is an overlooked laneway, especially when the nearby Hosier Lane takes all the attention.

But it’s here you’ll find Lucy Liu, a pan-Asian restaurant and bar with a modern fit-out – a similar experience to Chin Chin and Supernormal, both of which are minutes away.

You could visit Meyer’s Place several times and have a completely different experience; very few laneways in Melbourne can pack in this many reputable venues.

Wander to San Telmo, an Argentian steak house with an authentic parrilla charcoal grill. Then grab drinks at Lily Blacks, an art deco cocktail bar serving classic concoctions.

Maybe try Loop Bar, with its two-level rooftop bar. Or grab a slice of New York from Pizza Pizza Pizza – then ask to enter their secret cocktail bar.

Make sure to look up and admire the vertical garden hanging off the side of Loop Bar; Meyer’s Place was one of the first candidates for the council’s ‘Green Laneway’ project.

Tattersall’s Lane joins two worlds together; the north end of the city and Chinatown. Walking through this nightlife hub is like teleporting to another dimension.

Midway down, you’ll find Section 8, one of Melbourne’s awesome laneway bars that is open 365 days a year. Originally a pop-up bar in an empty car park, it was so popular that it soon became a permanent fixture.

Previously called Juliet Terrace, this laneway was part of the red-light district back in the early 19th century; it’s here that women would sell their trade.

Find the unmarked door with the old bicycle hanging above it. Push it open and head upstairs to New Golden Mountain – an Asian/Australian-inspired cocktail bar.

NGM takes its name from the gold rush of 1851, when Chinese immigrants referred to Victoria as ‘New Gold Mountain.’

Union Lane has nothing but street art; no bars, restaurants or cafes. This laneway connects to Bourke Street Mall and is simply a thoroughfare co-opted by the local art scene; with its 550 square metres of wall space, it’s the perfect canvas.

Visit it for some photo opportunities, but be aware, that it can get a little smelly down there.

Sniders Lane runs alongside Melbourne Central and provides an entrance into the shopping complex itself.

The main attraction in Sniders Lane is the giant mural of Kim Kardashian and Emily Ratajkowski, painted by the meme lord that is Lushux.

Ridgeway Place runs alongside the towering brick wall of the Melbourne Club, the city’s oldest men’s club.

Formed in 1838, the club boasts former prime ministers, world-renowned artists and mining magnates as its members. Behind the wall is a private English-styled garden, home to the oldest and largest plane tree in Victoria.

Also down Ridgeway Place is the Lyceum Club, a women-only club focused on art and culture.

If you have a membership for neither, enjoy a coffee at one of the cafes instead. Ridgeway Place is a convenient thoroughfare and will take you from Collins Street to Little Collins Street.

The horse-shoe-shaped Melbourne Place is a small detour from Russell Street.

Along that detour, you’ll pass the Kelvin Club, a private mens club over 150 years old.

Listed on the Victorian Heritage Register, Bank Place is lined with buildings built during the pre-war period, from the 1860’s until the 1920’s. Now many of those buildings have ground-level restaurants and bars.

Blink and you’ll miss it; Postal Lane runs directly off the Bourke Street Mall, alongside the old GPO (General Post Office.)

The entrance is via Ca De Vin, a pizzeria and trattoria, but don’t worry, you can walk straight through – maybe grab a coffee on the way through.