Ballarat Nightlife Tips by Kate-Me

Nightlife Spot: Nightclub

21 Arms is one of the bigger night clubs and tends to have bigger bands (several other hotels have bands, but more local pub bands).
It always seems popular and crowded and the band/bar/dance floor area in a large room out the back makes it the best venue for crowded concerts.

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Theme: Nightclub
Dress Code: Normal dress requirements - you need to be wearing a shirt, and shoes. Shorts are a maybe - maybe ok, maybe not.
Address: 21 Armstrong St Nth, Ballarat
Directions: Armstrong is off Sturt Street - 1 block down from Myer on the opposite side

Nightlife Spot: Grainery Lane Theatre

Grainery Lane is open 6 nights a week and is one of only a few nightspots left in town providing a platform for many of its home grown talent - the local songwriters and bands. Music styles include gothic, folk, world funk, Celtic, R & B, etc.

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: Neat casual dress
Phone: (03) 5333 5442
Address: 34 Doveton Street North, Ballarat
Directions: Off 300 Block Sturt Street.
Other Contact: Email grainerylane@hotmail.com

Nightlife Spot: Peter Lalor Hotel

Peter Lalor is one of only a small group of small pubs left in Ballarat who still play live pub rock music on a regular basis.

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: Neat dress. The usual with Aussie pubs - no thongs, no singlets.
Address: Cnr of Mair & Doveton Sts Nth, Ballarat
Directions: Right opposite the Civic Hall.

Nightlife Spot: The Mallow Bar

The Mallow is one of Ballarat's most historic pubs (1862 I think) and is pretty traditional Aussie style inside (plenty of trophies on the walls, some funny signs and a lot of Formula 1 posters wallpapering above the bar).
They're also one of the pubs now which has the most live music during the week and at weekends (as compared to others who have recently stopped having bands altogether).
Thursday - Sat night there is free live music, and usually something of a Sunday afternoon too.
We went there in mid August and saw 'Four Play' (local band) play there. Only a small pub, but not too crammed, and I found the atmosphere pretty good.
The band was pretty young and versatile, especially the lead singer, who was also lead guitarist and could dance around a bit as well.
Especially a very good drummer too.
Worth taking a look.
A young barmaid bar was rather kind to us (we'd just come in from being drenched outside getting there) and she gave us the best table in the place, which had just been vacated by the band, who had been on a break.
They also have cheap bar meals for well under $10.

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Theme: Live Music
Dress Code: Neat, casual dress (no singlets or thongs, as per usual in pubs)
Address: Skipton Street, Ballarat
Directions: Only about 700 mts out of the city, towards Sebastopol (via Armstrong St Sth)

Nightlife Spot: The Nerrina/Nerrina Hotel

The Nerrina is about 4 kms out of the centre of the city of Ballarat, and tends to specialise in quite a few tribute shows and has other organised concerts and gigs during the year, holds functions, etc.
We've spent the last 2 New Years Eve's there, as my husband's band was the night's entertainment (this year with Lingus, his latest band) Photo 1 features: Paul (my husband) Rob, Brett & Ken (with Darren hidden in the background on drums)

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Theme: Live Music
Directions: Nerrina, near Black Hill