"At 3am and beyond you have so many options," he says. "A night in Melbourne can pass quickly." He's right. We've hardly scratched the surface and already it's time for the dawn flight. I feel surprisingly chipper beside the groggy early birds heading interstate for their breakfast meetings. But they haven't benefited from eight hours of top-notch food, drink and culture along with carefully cultivated good vibes in a non-stop FIFO party. In Australia's city that never sleeps, I've discovered that fun can be remarkably fortifying.

Melbourne's nightlife never stops at a sundowner, with far too many late-night haunts to list. Here are just a few favourites.

FOR COCKTAILS

With wood-panelled walls, roomy deck and award-winning drinks, CBD cocktail bar Loch and Key stays open until 5am Sunday to Thursday and 7am on Fridays and Saturdays. Whisky-loving basement blues bar Beneath Driver Lane keeps the candlelight burning until 3am on weekends. lochnkey.com.au; driverlanebar.com

FOR LIVE MUSIC AND DJs

At The Last Chance, nightly live music and pub grub rock on until 7am on Saturdays. Live music and DJs kick on until 5am Tuesday to Saturday at the CBD's The Toff, Miscellania opens until 3am several nights a week for edgy DJs and experimental performance, and Music Room spins a collection of 3000-plus vinyl records until 3am. Prahran's legendary music venue Revolver Upstairs has a 24-hour licence and on weekends, Saturday flows right through to Monday, fuelled by the best DJs and live acts. thelastchance.com.au; thetoff.com.au; her.melbourne/musicroom; revolverupstairs.com.au; instagram.com/miscellania_

FOR GOOD SPORTS

It's always kick-off somewhere in the world at Exford Hotel, a lovingly preserved Edwardian pub in the CBD with a giddying array of beers and live global sports on big screens until 4am, seven days a week. exfordhotel.com.au

FOR FOOD

Bar Ampere's sister venue Gin Palace has a 330-strong gin selection and toasted chicken sandwiches, served until closing time at 3am. Neon-bathed dive bar Heartbreaker parties through to 3am most nights with pizza by the slice, jukebox and pool table, and frat-themed Hats & Tatts has a 400-plus drinks menu and food to the 3am finish line Wednesdays to Sundays. ginpalace.com.au; heartbreakerbar.com.au; instagram.com/hatsandtatts