Hookup Apps & Sites in Melbourne

The casual dating scene in Melbourne

Melbourne likes to think of itself as Australia’s cultural capital, and its casual dating scene reflects that: more bars than beaches, more conversation than showing off. The city has a huge student population, a big creative and hospitality workforce and plenty of working holiday makers who come for a few months and stay for a year. Newcomers are everywhere, and nobody is surprised by a profile that says you have just arrived.

The CBD laneways and rooftops are classic spots for a first drink. Fitzroy, Collingwood and Brunswick have a younger, alternative crowd, St Kilda mixes backpackers and locals by the bay, and Chapel Street in South Yarra and Prahran is busier and more polished. The trams make most inner suburbs easy to reach. Summer brings the Australian Open in January, and the Melbourne Cup and a long list of festivals keep the calendar full. The weather is famously changeable, sometimes four seasons in a day, so always have an indoor option.

Which apps work best in Melbourne

FWB Australia is our first choice for Melbourne. It is an Australian site for friends-with-benefits arrangements, clear about what everyone is looking for and open to adults from 18. Sign-up, browsing and winks or likes are free, while messaging needs a paid membership.

MatureDates is second, for adults aged 30 and over, often with an age gap in mind. CheekyCrush takes third place with light, flirty casual chat in English for members aged 20 and over, a good match for the city’s chatty bar culture.

NaughtyCharm is fourth, with no-strings chat and a discreet mode, and OneNightFriend is fifth for one-night stands and short-term fun. All five offer the same free basics, with messaging part of a paid membership.

Want to start without spending anything? Tinder, Bumble and Feeld are free to use and active in Melbourne, which makes them a handy way to test the water alongside the sites above.

First-meet tips for Melbourne

• Pick a laneway bar near a tram stop. It is central, public and easy to leave. Check your tram or train home before you head out.
• Bring a layer. Melbourne weather can turn quickly. A jacket saves an outdoor date from becoming a miserable one.
• Tell someone where you are. Share the venue and your match’s profile with a friend or housemate, and let them know when you are home.
• Consent comes first. A good chat on the app is not a commitment. Ask, listen and respect a no.