The best R&B and hip-hop clubs in Melbourne

You down with OPP? Then Laundry – arguably Melbourne's hottest hip-hop club – is your spiritual home. The line can sometimes wrap around the block, so plan your night accordingly. Once you make it past the bouncer and through the doorway, hustle your way to the dancefloor to get up close to the DJs who are spinning everything from old-school hip-hop and R&B to afrobeats and trap. Keen on a more elevated experience? Opt for a VIP package with a private booth, bottle service and a personal host.

Tucked away down a CBD alleyway, you'll find one of Melbourne's go-to outdoor party bars. After squeezing past the huge bouncers, good luck finding a place to sit or even stand. It's a popular venue for hip-hop DJs in particular, and fair warning: it's busy – and loud – most nights. 

This versatile club is as sleek and sexy as its Collins Street address would suggest, with a sky high ceiling and performers dressed to the nines. Fridays are for R&B and house music, all night every week. Ms Collins also offers bougie AF VIP packages, if you're in the mood to go all out.

Fitted out in decadent 'Las Vegas-meets-Melbourne' decor (think chandeliers, plush booths and a gleaming dance floor), Lux is upping the luxury club stakes Southside. On 333 Saturdays, Lux plays 'hot girl music' in spades and atendees are encourages to dress like they've got a point to make. Anticipate ampiano, hip hop, Latin and afrobeats. End the week with Sugar Sundays, where you can expect roaming performers and a memorable night.

This Hardware Lane joint is always pumping old school and new school R&B hits with a side of affordable drink specials. Expect R&B, hip hop, afrobeats and old skool. $8 shots before midnight? We're on our way!

This Queen Street mainstay has been around for more than 25 years, and clearly, it's doing something right to withstand the test of time. DJs spin hip-hop and R&B all weekend long, with occasional special nights including dancehall, afrobeats, reggaeton and more.