The Emerson is a three-level hospitality and entertainment destination at 141–145 Commercial Road in South Yarra, Melbourne. Open since 2013 and extensively reimagined in 2022, The Emerson brings three distinct venues together under one roof: The Rooftop, The Lounge and The Club.
Guests come for rooftop drinks and shared food, Melbourne skyline views, weekend DJs, dancing, private events and American-style bottle service. Across the three levels, the music spans house, disco, commercial, R&B and hip-hop.
Start in the afternoon sun, stay for sunset and move through the venue as the night calls for something louder.
Our story
The Emerson opened in 2013 following a major transformation of its Commercial Road home. Our name draws inspiration from Ralph Waldo Emerson, the 19th-century American essayist and poet whose work celebrated individuality and experience.
The original design concept was created by New York’s M-Use Architects and delivered locally by DC Group and Newline Design. Open sightlines and flexible, connected rooms encouraged guests to explore the building rather than remain in one space.
In 2022, The Emerson entered a new era under new ownership. A second major renovation separated the venue into three distinct levels, each designed to operate as a venue in its own right.
The Rooftop, The Lounge and The Club were each given their own identity, atmosphere and purpose. Guests can experience them independently or move between all three as part of a complete day-to-night journey through The Emerson.
The venue has been named Nightclub of the Year at the Australian Bartender Magazine Bar Awards three times, in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
A Melbourne nightlife address
The story of 141–145 Commercial Road began well before The Emerson.
Heritage Victoria records the address as the former home of 3 Faces from 1990 to 1999 and The Market from 1999 to 2011. Both venues helped anchor Commercial Road’s LGBTQ+ entertainment precinct and form an important part of Melbourne’s social and nightlife history.
The Emerson represents the next chapter for an address that has brought people together through music, performance and celebration for decades.
Three levels, three distinct venues
The Rooftop
The Rooftop is a standalone rooftop bar and kitchen combining Melbourne skyline views with premium tables and booths, cocktails and food designed to share.
The enclosed, climate-controlled space can be enjoyed throughout the year, moving naturally from relaxed afternoon dining and sunset drinks to DJs and dancing after dark.
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The Lounge
Located on the middle level, The Lounge is an intimate cocktail and entertainment venue with its own bar, plush booth seating and unmistakable disco-ball styling.
The Lounge offers a different pace from the other levels, making it suited to cocktails and conversation, private celebrations, VIP booth bookings and late-night music.
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The Club
The Club is a dedicated South Yarra nightclub built around DJs, dancing and high-energy entertainment.
Immersive sound and lighting, grand bars, a central dance floor, VIP booths and American-style bottle service give The Club an identity entirely its own.
View MoreMusic across three levels
No single sound defines The Emerson.
Our DJs and events span house, disco, commercial, R&B and hip-hop, with different genres and atmospheres programmed across The Rooftop, The Lounge and The Club.
That variety gives guests the freedom to find their preferred sound or move between levels as the energy of the night changes. Music programming varies by event, so guests can check What’s On for current DJs, genres and special events.
American-style bottle service
The Emerson offers American-style bottle service through reserved VIP booths in The Lounge and The Club.
Guests receive a dedicated booth and table service, with selected bottles and mixers brought directly to the group. It is designed for birthdays, special occasions and groups looking for a more private, elevated way to experience the venue.
Bottle-service options and inclusions vary, so bookings are recommended in advance through our booth and package enquiries.
What makes The Emerson different?
The Emerson is not simply one venue divided across three floors. The Rooftop, The Lounge and The Club are three individual venues, each with its own character, music and reason to visit.
Guests can choose the experience that suits them or change the pace of their night without changing addresses. Meet for rooftop food and drinks, settle into a booth in The Lounge and finish on The Club dance floor.
Each venue can also host private events independently, while multiple levels can be combined for larger celebrations. This flexibility makes The Emerson suitable for birthdays, engagements, hens parties, corporate events, product launches and full-venue occasions.
Our events team works with each host to shape the space, food, drinks and event format around the occasion.
The people behind the experience
The Emerson’s venue, floor, bar, kitchen, guest experience and events teams work together across all three venues.
From the first function enquiry to the final song of the night, our focus is the same: attentive service, a welcoming atmosphere and memorable experiences delivered with care.
The Emerson: quick answers
What is The Emerson?
The Emerson is a three-level hospitality and entertainment destination comprising a rooftop bar and kitchen, cocktail lounge, nightclub and private-event spaces in South Yarra, Melbourne.
When did The Emerson open?
The Emerson originally opened in 2013. Under new ownership from 2022, a second major renovation transformed its three levels into three distinct venues: The Rooftop, The Lounge and The Club.
What music does The Emerson play?
Music at The Emerson spans house, disco, commercial, R&B and hip-hop. Genres vary between The Rooftop, The Lounge and The Club, as well as between weekly programming and special events.
Does The Emerson offer bottle service?
Yes. American-style bottle service is available with selected VIP booth bookings in The Lounge and The Club.
Where is The Emerson?
The Emerson is located at 141–145 Commercial Road, South Yarra, Melbourne VIC 3141, close to Prahran and the Chapel Street entertainment precinct.
Is The Emerson Rooftop open throughout the year?
Yes. The Rooftop is enclosed and climate-controlled for year-round use, with an outdoor balcony for fresh air.
Can The Emerson be hired for private events?
Yes. The Rooftop, The Lounge and The Club can be hired individually, while multiple levels can be combined for larger private and corporate events.
Step into our world
Discover the latest events and weekly programming, explore our function spaces or make a booking.
The Emerson
141–145 Commercial Road
South Yarra, Melbourne VIC 3141
(03) 9825 0900