Melbourne is a magnificent sight by night. The best place to view the city is from the Rialto  Towers Observation deck. It is an absolutely breathtaking and spectacular view. The Rialto is the tallest building in Melbourne and in the Southern Hemisphere. The elevator is dynamically fast as it just takes 38 seconds to go up 55 floors.

Melbourne has an exciting, lively and busy atmosphere by night. Many people, of all ages and sub-cultures, come to the city for an entertaining night out, or to party and rage until the early hours of dawn. The best nights to go out are definitely Friday and Saturday nights.

How to spend a night out and have fun in Melbourne:

• See a film at a variety of cinemas and moviehouses. There are many films to see such as the latest releases, foreign movies, repeats of old time favorites, Chinese, alternative or "X" rated pornographies. Popular cinemas include Hoyts, Village, Greater Union, Kino, Astor and Chinatown Cinemas.
• See a live play or a theatre production at a variety of theatres. Commonly visited theatres include Victorian Arts Centre, Princes Theatre, Athenaeum Theatre and the Regent Theatre
• If you want to have a "laugh" go to a Comedy Theatre Restaurant such as The Last Laugh Theatre Restaurant, Dracula's Cabaret Restaurant, Witches in Britches, Dirty Dicks Medieval Madness and The Comedy Club. Or attend comedy venues/pubs that have stand up comedian acts.
• Watch the sport live e.g. horse racing, Australian Rules football, cricket, tennis, basketball and soccer. The major sporting centres include Melbourne Park (National Tennis Centre), Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Olympic Park.
• Listen to music at live music venues which host famous Australian and international solo artists and bands. The major music venues include Melbourne Park ~ational Tennis Centre), Concert Hall (Victorian Arts Centre), Sports and Entertainment Centre and Sidney Myer Music Bowl. Alternatively, you can listen to solo artists and bands playing at pubs and nightclubs. The music ranges from funk, soul, rock n' roll, rock, house, disco, blues, jazz, reggae, hip hop, retro and techno. Also, there are many karaoke bars/venues available.
• Go dancing at a variety of nightclubs. Nightclubs cater for all ages, music tastes and sub-cultures, such as: over 25s, over 28s, techno, alternative, gay culture and sleazy table top dancing. Dress up or dress down depending on the dress code of where you are going. Nightclubs are open until the early hours of the morning. Popular nightclubs include Lasers, Monsoons, The Ivy, Chevron, Metro, Silvers, Inflation, Carousel and The Grainstore Tavern.
• Go eating, druiking and socializing at a variety of cafes, restaurants, pubs, hotels and bars. Melbourne has a great selection of national and international cusines including world class standards.
• Go gambling at the Crown Casino which provides poker machines, roulette/blackjack tables and spinning wheels. Or visit various pubs/clubs that provide poker machines. Otherwise you can try your luck at the racing, trots and dogs.
• Visit the Crown Entertainment Complex which is open 24 hours a day. Besides the casino, it has a collection of very classy and upmarket shops, cinemas, cafes, restaurants, 5 star hotel, bars and nightclubs.
• If you enjoy reading, visit various bookshops which are open afier normal shopping hours.
• Go for a drive for pleasure, perhaps to the beach.

Throughout the week the city is bursting with life and entertainment. The city streets become a live stage and an art studio for various buskers and artists. The talent ranges from below average, amateur acts to some outstanding top performances that grab your immediate attention and magnetically draw you to become part of the audience. Overall, you tend to see the same performers on a regular basis at the usual locations. Occasionally some new acts appear for a short time only, and they are usually foreign travellers wanting to earn a quick $AUD dollar.

Musical entertainment and performances includes:

• Singing e.g. opera, country, pop, rock n' roll, rhythm and blues.
• Dancing e.g. belly, tap, boot scooting and rap.
• Whistling gumleafs.
• Comedy, drama and mime acts.
• Jugglers.
• Acrobats.
• Puppeteers.
• Solo artists and bands playing musical instruments e.g. piano accordian, guitar, flute, clarinet, trumpet, xylophone, harp and bagpipes.