Nocturnal at Melbourne Museum: The VIP Experience

Stepping into the Melbourne Museum after dark for the latest Nocturnal event, the feeling was almost electric. The main stage was set up, ready for some new and exciting talent to perform. The exhibition halls were prepped for a slow stream of curious adults to explore their contents. To begin, our group ascended upwards, to the private Treetops VIP experience. 

With the internal Melbourne Museum forest to the left, guests stepped into the Treetops VIP experience and were immediately greeted by a canopy of spectacular colour and movement. The flowing installation from Bangin Hangins created a playful, fun element, setting the tone for the rest of the VIP experience.

“We chose the Treetops space for this VIP experience as it’s so close to the main stage, yet still private and secluded,” explains Melbourne Museum Spaces Client Relationship Manager, Lauren Carlyle. “Treetops really has its own personality with floor to ceiling windows, and the view out to the illuminated Carlton Gardens at night is simply stunning. The adjoining North Terrace is the perfect summer venue – our clients love using this space in the warmer months.”

With a range of delicious canapés making the rounds, including ‘cheeseburger’ spring rolls and crispy Kohlrabi, pea and haloumi fritters, guests mingled with each other and some special guests…

Byron the python, draped around the handler’s neck, was the star of the room. Guests asked the encyclopaedic handlers a myriad of questions, all the while giving the surprisingly warm Byron a little pat. Drink in hand, guests surveyed the display of exotic creatures, from thorny devil lizards to tropical tree frogs – a small sample of the night to come. Soon, the first band took to the stage downstairs, filling the foyer with electric beats, ready for the party to get started.

“The motivation behind this month’s theme is a celebration of our partnership with Powershop,” says Lauren. “The music line up, along with the curated talks and onsite activations, all feature themes of power: power through electricity, politics and society movements, our First Peoples and the power of resistance, even power through the force of lightning.”

VIP experience wristbands firmly secured, granting free drinks at any of the pop-up bars dotted through the museum, VIP guests began to disperse, and explore.

Starting with The Melbourne Story gallery, both Nocturnal patrons and VIP Experience guests took a trip back in time, to when Melbourne was a collection of dusty streets, and Little Lonsdale was considered a suburb. Being such an interactive museum, each hall was populated with excited guests getting immersed in their surroundings.

Ideal for corporate functions with a difference, or birthday milestone celebrations, the VIP Experience added that extra special element to an already exciting event, allowing guests to choose their own adventure. From walking with dinosaurs, to getting up close and personal with some of the world’s most interesting creatures, to doubling back to the main boogie zone.

“It’s so flexible,” says Lauren. “Function options at Nocturnal range from your own private space in Treetops followed by total access to the exhibition galleries, to a VIP ‘Posh Pit’ right in front of the main stage. Our clients have also been really excited about the option to ‘add on’ a Nelson Mandela exhibition experience to their Nocturnal night out.”

Melbourne Museum’s Nocturnal nights are such a highlight on Melbourne’s social calendar. And the VIP Experience is a truly unique setting for a private event, one that promises your guests are intrigued and entertained the whole night through.