The Melbourne Athenaeum

A hub of art and culture, the Melbourne Athenaeum has remained an iconic Melbourne feature since its foundation in 1839. The original rendered two-storey building was built to house Melbourne’s first Mechanics’ Institution as well as a Hall for Council meetings, a library and a reading room. The Athenaeum has undergone many changes along the way and previously contained a museum, theatre, cinema, gallery and library. The current building now consists of three levels with a classical façade and is home to the Athenaeum Theatre, Ticketmaster, Comedy Club, Bistro D’Orsay, the Opal Gallery and the Athenaeum Library. Read more…