Forum Theatre

One of Melbourne's best-loved performance spaces offers the latest live music, comedy and theater in a spectacular old-world setting.

The Forum Theatre has been through a lot since its construction in the 1920s. Previous tenants have used it as a cinema, church and cabaret theater. Nowadays, it stages performances most nights of the week and is one of the most popular of Melbourne's many live music and theater venues.

The building itself was heritage listed in 1978 largely due to its iconic Moorish-revival façade and its place in Melbourne’s rich cultural history. The interior is extensively decorated in the Greco-Romanesque style, with statues and columns throughout. The ceiling is another spectacular feature of the building and is designed to create the illusion of an open-air amphitheater with twinkling stars.

Every April, the theater hosts one of the city’s biggest festivals, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Film festivals are also held occasionally, as well as weekly performances by top local and international bands.

Sitting opposite Federation Square and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), the Forum Theatre is perfectly located at the heart of Melbourne’s cultural district. Before catching a show, head down Flinders Lane and enjoy a meal at any one of the trendy restaurants. Or, snap a photo of the fabulous street art in the iconic AC/DC Lane, which is named after one of Australia’s most successful rock bands.

The Forum Theatre is located on the corner of Flinders and Russell streets, on the edge of downtown Melbourne. Tickets for shows are available at the box office and through online ticket sellers. Be sure to check what’s on before going as the popular shows and performances can sell out very quickly. You must be over the age of 18 to see a show at the Forum Theatre. You will need to provide proof of age, such as your passport, at the entry.

Flinders St & Russel St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia | View Google Map

Attractions and Neighbourhoods near Forum Theatre

Federation Square

See the edgy architecture of Melbourne’s main civic space, a great place to take in an event, explore a museum or simply people-watch.

Australian Centre for the Moving Image

Lovers of classic cinema, budding film makers and avid gamers will all delight in one of the world’s leading moving image museums.

St Paul's Cathedral

Appreciate the peaceful atmosphere when you explore the interior of this vast neo-Gothic cathedral and architectural anchor in Melbourne’s inner-city streetscape.

Block Arcade

Browse fashion goods, sample creamy chocolate and relax with a tea in this elegant arcade, which remains one of Melbourne's finest historic and architectural landmarks.

Birrarung Marr Park

Inspired by the Woiwurrung word for the Yarra River, this inner-city parkland celebrates Aboriginal cultural heritage, native flora and thought-provoking sculptures.

Hotels near Forum Theatre

Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Docklands

66 Aurora Lane

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and DFO South Wharf. Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex and Festival Hall are also within 15 minutes. Southern Cross Station is 5 minutes by foot and North Melbourne Station is 21 minutes.

Atlantis Hotel, Melbourne

300 Spencer Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Central, and Queen Victoria Market. Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex and Bourke Street Mall are also within 1 mi (2 km). Flagstaff Station is 6 minutes by foot and Southern Cross Station is 7 minutes.

Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Southbank

Corner of Southgate Ave & Riverside Quay

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this hotel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex, Melbourne Central, and Melbourne Cricket Ground. Royal Botanic Gardens and Marvel Stadium are also within 2 mi (3 km). Flinders Street Station is 7 minutes by foot and Melbourne Central Station is 17 minutes.

Pan Pacific Melbourne

2 Convention Centre Place

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Melbourne hotel is located on the riverwalk, just steps from Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and DFO South Wharf. Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex and SEA LIFE Melbourne are also within 15 minutes. Southern Cross Station is 16 minutes by foot and Flinders Street Station is 22 minutes.

Citadines on Bourke Melbourne

131-135 Bourke Street

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Melbourne aparthotel is located in the entertainment district, within a 10-minute walk of Her Majesty's Theatre, Parliament House of Victoria, and Bourke Street Mall. Hosier Lane and Forum Theatre are also within 10 minutes. Parliament Station is only a 4-minute walk and Melbourne Central Station is 11 minutes.

The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins Melbourne

630 Little Collins Street

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of SEA LIFE Melbourne, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex. Marvel Stadium and Melbourne Central are also within 1 mi (2 km). Southern Cross Station is only a 2-minute walk and Flagstaff Station is 12 minutes.

Pegasus Apart'Hotel

206 A'Beckett Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this aparthotel is within a 10-minute walk of Flagstaff Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, and Melbourne Central. Emporium Melbourne and Bourke Street Mall are also within 15 minutes. Flagstaff Station is only a 3-minute walk and Melbourne Central Station is 7 minutes.

Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne

328 Flinders Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this luxury hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Federation Square, National Gallery of Victoria, and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Melbourne Central and Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex are also within 15 minutes. Flinders Street Station is only a 4-minute walk and Melbourne Central Station is 13 minutes.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Melbourne - Flinders Street

270 Flinders Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Degraves Street and Federation Square. Bourke Street Mall and SEA LIFE Melbourne are also within 10 minutes. Flinders Street Station is only a 3-minute walk and Melbourne Central Station is 13 minutes.

The Victoria Hotel Melbourne

215 Little Collins Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this hotel is steps from Melbourne Town Hall and Collins Street. Melbourne Central and Princess Theatre are also within 10 minutes. Parliament Station is 8 minutes by foot and Melbourne Central Station is 9 minutes.

Great Southern Hotel Melbourne

44 Spencer Street

Rated 3.7 / 5 by Guests

Stamford Plaza Melbourne

111 Little Collins Street

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Regent Theatre, Princess Theatre, and Bourke Street Mall. Melbourne Central and Melbourne Cricket Ground are also within 1 mi (2 km). Parliament Station is 5 minutes by foot and Flinders Street Station is 10 minutes.

Oaks Melbourne on Collins Hotel

480 Collins Street

Rated 3.8 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this aparthotel is within a 15-minute walk of Collins Street and Melbourne Central. Queen Victoria Market and Princess Theatre are also within 1 mi (2 km). Flagstaff Station is 9 minutes by foot and Southern Cross Station is 7 minutes.

Novotel Melbourne on Collins

270 Collins Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Melbourne hotel is located in the entertainment district, just steps from Degraves Street and Collins Street. Melbourne Central and Princess Theatre are also within 15 minutes. Flinders Street Station is 6 minutes by foot and Melbourne Central Station is 10 minutes.

Oaks Melbourne on Market Hotel

60 Market Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Melbourne aparthotel is located in the entertainment district, just steps from Flinders Lane and Collins Street. Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex and Melbourne Central are also within 15 minutes. Flinders Street Station is 9 minutes by foot and Flagstaff Station is 11 minutes.

City Tempo - Queen St

353 Queen Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this aparthotel is within a 10-minute walk of Hardware Lane, Queen Victoria Market, and Melbourne Central. Collins Street and Carlton Gardens are also within 1 mi (2 km). Flagstaff Station is only a 4-minute walk and Melbourne Central Station is 5 minutes.

Mercure Welcome Melbourne

265 Little Bourke Street

Rated 3.8 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this eco-friendly hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Melbourne Central and Princess Theatre. Queen Victoria Market and SEA LIFE Melbourne are also within 1 mi (2 km). Melbourne Central Station is 6 minutes by foot and Flinders Street Station is 9 minutes.

Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne

380 William Street

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this luxury hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Queen Victoria Market and Melbourne Central. SEA LIFE Melbourne and Marvel Stadium are also within 1 mi (2 km). Flagstaff Station is only a 2-minute walk and Melbourne Central Station is 9 minutes.

Rydges Melbourne Hotel

186 Exhibition Street

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Located in Chinatown, this hotel is within a 5-minute walk of Her Majesty's Theatre, Collins Street, and Princess Theatre. Carlton Gardens and Melbourne Central are also within 15 minutes. Parliament Station is only a 4-minute walk and Melbourne Central Station is 12 minutes.

ibis Melbourne Hotel and Apartments

15-21 Therry Street

Rated 4.2 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this eco-friendly hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Queen Victoria Market and Melbourne Central. Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens are also within 15 minutes. Melbourne Central Station is 7 minutes by foot and Flagstaff Station is 12 minutes.

ibis Styles Kingsgate

131 King Street

Rated 3.6 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of SEA LIFE Melbourne, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, and Bourke Street Mall. Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex and Marvel Stadium are also within 1 mi (2 km). Southern Cross Station is only a 4-minute walk and Flagstaff Station is 9 minutes.

Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne

189 Queen Street

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this luxury aparthotel is within a 15-minute walk of Melbourne Central and SEA LIFE Melbourne. Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex are also within 1 mi (2 km). Flagstaff Station is 7 minutes by foot and Melbourne Central Station is 8 minutes.

Fraser Place Melbourne

19 Exploration Lane

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this hotel is within a 10-minute walk of Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne Central, and Princess Theatre. Collins Street and Queen Victoria Market are also within 15 minutes. Melbourne Central Station is 7 minutes by foot and Parliament Station is 9 minutes.

Crown Metropol

WHITEMAN STREET,8

Rated 4.8 / 5 by Guests

Located in Melbourne Central Business District, this luxury hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Yarra Riverfront and Collins Street. Melbourne Central and Queen Victoria Market are also within 2 mi (3 km). Southern Cross Station is 13 minutes by foot and Flinders Street Station is 18 minutes.