23 ways to hang out alone in Melbourne

1. Pull up a barstool at Pellegrini’s and work your way through a huge bowl of ravioli.

2. Grab a seat at one of Melbourne's many warm and friendly little bars: we’ve found that the bartenders at Lulie Tavern, Black Pearl and Rooks Return are particularly talkative with solo patrons.

3. Eat a plate of dumplings in Chinatown – you'll probably be shoved on someone else's table anyway.

4. Arm yourself with a magazine, a novel (or, if you're feeling creative, a notebook and pen,) and try a new place for brunch.

5. Dine in a restaurant with an open kitchen so you can watch the chefs at work: visits to Cumulus Inc, Pastuso and Chez Dre are delicious and fascinating.

6. Go vintage shopping at one of Melbourne’s cavernous bazaars: our favourites are the Chapel St Bazaar and Fitzroy’s Lost and Found. Being alone means you can rummage for hours, guilt-free (and try on the weirdest ’80s prom dresses and faux-fur pimp coats you can find).

7. Treat yourself to some retail therapy in the CBD –there's Metropolis specialist bookshop in Curtin House, or Kloke, Assembly label and Incu in QV Melbourne's Albert Coates Lane.

8. Go crate-digging in record stores all over the city: we recommend Greville Records and Northside Records.

9. Pick up a tattered old novel in a second-hand bookshop and wonder where the time went once you’re halfway through the story.

10. Pick up a console at Bartronica and try to beat your own high score at these vintage video game bars. 

11. Enjoy the company of the feline persuasion at these cat cafés.

12. Enrol in a dance or circus class that scares you. Unlike your mates, you’ll never have to face your classmates ever again if you don’t want to. 

13. Lace up your sneakers and run the Tan!

14. Wander around your favourite ‘hood with a camera and practise your photography skills.

15. Head to the Melbourne Museum and spend the whole time in the dinosaur area (or, if you’re insane, in the Bugs Alive! room).

16. See quality art for nothing at Melbourne's free art galleries. Spend hours gazing at a piece that inspires you, or – if you're not into it – shamelessly get through the whole gallery in five minutes.

17. See the world from up high. Have a drink at Rooftop Bar, the Lui Bar or the Melbourne Skydeck (formerly Eureka SKydeck) and watch the city from high above.

18. Sign up for a spot of public service, like volunteering at your local op shop. A good deed only counts if you do it under the radar.

19. Explore the Abbotsford Convent: you’ll find more than you think.

20. Take a walk through the Melbourne General Cemetery (or the adjacent Princes Park) for some quiet, reflective time.

21. Overcome the mental hurdle of going to a bathhouse: it’s one of the best ways to chill out. These are our favourites.

22. Treat yourself to a beauty treatment: get your nails did, or get a massage.

23. Go swimming at one of Melbourne's best public swimming spots.