Sound, Soul and Subterranean Cool

Listen Up, Melbourne: There’s a New Beat Beneath the Streets

Deep beneath Flinders Street’s buzz and the tram bells’ hum, a new rhythm is pulsing through the city’s veins. Wax Music Lounge has slipped quietly into a basement, right across from Flinders Street station, bringing with it the energy, grit and groove of Melbourne’s underground music soul.

Born from the minds behind the city’s cult-favourite Wax Museum Records, this isn’t just another bar with a DJ. It’s a love letter to sound. A temple of tone. A space built by people who live and breathe music, now inviting the rest of us in for a listen.

The Vibe

Descend the stairs and the world above fades away. Red light washes over concrete walls, the air hums with bass, and suddenly you’re somewhere that feels part New York basement, part Tokyo jazz den, part Melbourne cool. Every detail has been tuned — literally. The sound system, hand-built by Australia’s audio icons Pitt & Giblin, gives every note its own space to shimmer.

The fit-out, dreamed up by award-winning designers, is sleek but unpretentious — a balance of industrial edges, worn rugs, and deep leather booths. Whether you’re tucked in with a drink or standing front-row for a live set, there’s a sense that this room gets it.

The Drinks Hit All the Right Notes

Behind the bar, things get just as curated. Think lo-fi Australian wines, craft beers, and cocktails designed to taste like a Saturday night you didn’t see coming. The menu reads like a local playlist — familiar, surprising, and a little bit addictive. Feeling peckish? House-made pizzas will keep you fuelled between gigs and pool matches.

The Line-up

Every night’s a lucky dip in the best way. From local DJs spinning deep house and disco to live jazz sessions and late-night beat collectives, Wax Music Lounge celebrates the full spectrum of Melbourne’s soundscape. The team’s roots in record culture show through — every booking feels intentional, every mix moment-worthy.

Some nights are slow burns with vinyl-only sets. Others are full-throttle affairs that stretch into early-morning euphoria. However you tune in, it’s always authentic. Always Wax.

For the Music People, By the Music People

Co-founders Guy Roseby and Tim Bartold — veterans of Melbourne’s record scene — have turned a long-time dream into a venue that feels personal, handcrafted and entirely true to their legacy. After years beneath Flinders Street with their record store, this new chapter carries the same heartbeat: community, creativity, and connection through sound.

So if you’ve been searching for the perfect spot to lose yourself in the music, Wax Music Lounge is waiting below the surface. Follow the glow.